FAQ

We are open for general bookings Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from Memorial Day through Columbus Day (with a few exceptions: we are open the whole week of the 4th of July, and a few other Wednesdays and Mondays.) Island Takeovers are available 7 days/week during our regular season. During open booking, you may see specific pricing and availability for specific dates, here

$299-800/night, depending on the site type (yurts are generally $50-100 more than tents), the day of the week, and time of the season. This price includes parking and a check-in/check-out boat charter. During open booking, you may see specific pricing and availability, here.

We require a 2-night minimum for weekends in most cases, though we do make exceptions for last minute bookings.

A 50% deposit is required at time of booking to confirm your reservation. The balance of your bill is due 30 days before your stay. Reservations may be canceled or modified up until 30 days prior to your arrival date. Cancellations will be refunded less a $100 administrative fee. Within 30 days of arrival date, reservation deposit is 100% and reservations are non-refundable, non-modifiable, and non-transferable. Cancellations, for whatever reason, made within the 30-day window prior to your arrival date are non-refundable.

Early departures or no shows will still be charged at their full rate. We do not give credit or refunds due to the discomforts of nature. The fun continues rain or shine.

The cancellation policy shall be amended by Fortland in the event a natural disaster (i.e. hurricane or tropical storm watch/warning, gale warning, small craft advisory) is issued for the greater Portland area OR when there is a mandatory evacuation of the area and the campground will be closed.

To protect your stay at Fortland we highly suggest purchasing travel insurance.

We do not cancel (or refund for guest cancelation due to weather) unless the wind and weather are unsafe. See cancellation policy, below.

Generally speaking, our charter boat leaves the mainland at 3:30pm for check-in, and leaves Fortland at 11:00am for check-out.

A NOTE ABOUT WATER:

• There is no running water on the island, but we do provide drinking water and also water for showering (with our portable solar showers), feetwashing, etc.
  

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING:

• Food, coolers, ice/ice packs (if you have an extended stay, we can help you procure more ice)

• A rain layer for the boat in case its windy & choppy on the water and you are sitting outside the cabin.

• Seasonally appropriate clothing ; including warm layers for at night (it can get colder and breezy), bathing suit, sneakers/closed toe shoes are best for the fort tour, rain coat.

• Toiletries

• Sunglasses (& a hat if you're into that)

• Sunscreen, bug spray

• Water bottle

• Headlamp (great for exploring the fort and navigating at night- not required)
  

WHAT WE PROVIDE:

• Boat transport for check-in and check-out

• Cookware: propane grills and burners, propane, pots/pans, utensils, flatware, cups, slat/pepper, oil, cooking bowls, tea kettle, coffee percolator

• All linens and bedding

• Lanterns for insite yurt/tent

• One towel per guest for beach/etc

• Yard games

• Solar battery @ each site for charging devices

• Firewood

• Coffee, cream, sugar, stevia

• Skewers for marshmallows

FOOD: Except for pre-coordinated catered occasions we do not provide or organize food. Guests carry in their own food, coolers, and ice, and we provide cool, shady storage space for food and coolers. WATER: We carry in and provide drinking water for guests, but guests should bring their own drinks of other kinds. COFFEE: Fresh, hot coffee is made for any interested guests every morning at 7am!

There is a central event tent which serves as the area for guest 'kitchens', which include grills and stoves, all cooking utensils, and flatware and silverware. We also have a central firepit for evening or morning fires. We ask that guests keep all food and eating in the central event tent area and not in sites! This is to be sure that the island remains a relatively pest-free place.

Everything at Fortland is run by limited solar power, so we rely on good old fashioned ice and coolers. Should you be staying longer than the ice will last, we can help you get more.

We do! Supima cotton sheets, comforters, fleece blankets, and two pendleton towels are included with each site. Beds will be made up for you prior to your arrival based on occupancy.

We have 3 yurts and 4 tents with a total of 16 beds - 7 queens and 9 twins. Yurts can sleep up to 4 people, and tents can sleep up to 3, in most cases. If you book a stay and will be using more than just the queen bed, the additional twin(s) will be made up for you prior to your arrival.

We have central composting toilets shared by all guests. We provide portable solar showers for use at your site, at the beach, or in our outdoor cedar shower stalls.

We have a check in boat and a check out boat for our guests! The boat leaves from our parking area at Bug Light in South Portland. If you need a boat at a different time, you may book your own transportation at your own expense. We recommend Portland Sea Taxi @ (207) 879-2562. If you will be arriving at a different check in time, you must let us know so we can help accommodate your plans. It takes about 10 minutes to get to Fortland from Bug Light or from downtown Portland.

If you are a guest traveling by kayak or canoe, you are welcome to pull up on our beach at your own risk. Fortland does not otherwise provide dockage or moorings for guests boats. If you are captain of your own vessel and would like to stay with us, please reach out to discuss how we can accommodate your stay. All guests arriving by boat must notify Fortland prior to their arrival.

We only book stays in our existing yurts and tent sites, EXCEPT in cases of island takeovers. (If you book the whole island, we do allow the use of up to 10 pitch-your-own tent areas.)

Visits from additional guests must be pre-approved by Fortland management. All visitors must sign a waiver, and visitor fees apply.

Sorry, no pets. House Island is a safe habitat for migratory birds and is a sensitive ecosystem.

Each guest site and our central event tent have solar-powered battery packs for charging phones + devices. There is no wifi, but the cell signal is strong to use as a hotspot in most areas.

Personal pictures and simple video by individual guests and individual families are permitted, with respect to the privacy of other guests.

Filming and photo shoots require advance approvals. Location fees and proof of insurance may be required. Please contact info@fortlandmaine.com.

For safety reasons, recreational drone use by any guest or member of the public is not permitted on or over Fortland. Likewise, commercial use is also prohibited, except in limited circumstances when an approved operator has received written permission from Fortland management. This includes use associated with special events, marketing and in film/photo applications.

Our quiet hours during regular camping nights are 10:00pm to 7:00am.