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Our five-acre site, located alongside Castalia Marsh, consists of cozy cabins & tent platforms with marsh & Bay views. The cabins have many windows for viewing the abundant wildlife and are an excellent place to stay and be close to nature. Each cabin has been specially designed to fit into its surrounding with as little impact on nature as possible. We strive to live in harmony with nature and have designed our facility with this goal in mind. Guests are welcome to participate in this endeavor by observing the wildlife of the salt-marsh from the cabin decks, exploring our trails and garden, and feeding the ducks and fish that are a part of our organic garden and ecosystem.
We aim to offer a wonderful place to observe Mother Nature at her finest.
For the nature lover, bird watcher, photographer or someone interested in a unique "get-away" from the hustle and bustle of urban life, this site will offer the peace and tranquility you have been looking for. Typically, our guests are environmentally aware, creative individuals who want to spend some quality time on Grand Manan, and enjoy hiking, kayaking, biking, and browsing through the museums and tiny shops. Castalia, population of around 450, is a quiet and serene island community. It is located five kilometers (three miles) from the ferry landing on the northern half of the island. The salt marsh has a picnic area and beach. It's an excellent location for viewing some of the 391 bird species inhabiting New Brunswick. Harbour and Grey seals can be seen from the shore swimming off the beach at high tide or hauled out onto the rocks at low tide.
The Retreat site is five acres of forested land overlooking Swallowtail Lighthouse, the saltwater marsh, the fishing village of North Head and picturesque islands in the Bay of Fundy. It is a safe, warm, and dry environment where one can relax and be surrounded by nature. There is a network of nature trails connecting four small fish and frog ponds and the various cabins and tent platforms. We try to create a supportive environment where people who want to share what they have learned can be actively involved in increasing their knowledge of personal, spiritual, and environmental health or just relax and enjoy the natural beauty. We have a facility ideally suited for hosting workshops or facilitating gatherings focused on personal, spiritual, and environmental health.
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The Garden and Greenhouse
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No pesticides or chemicals are used! All gardens need constant weeding so feel free to help out in exchange for the produce! Though it is primarily a vegetable garden, there are several species of flowers that grow here throughout the summer as well. The garden is where the ducks live, too. They often wander through the garden when they aren't busy swimming in the pond and laying delicious eggs.
Each cabin is uniquely designed to fit into the natural surroundings with the least environmental impact possible. The cabins have been designed and built by James, with help from his friends. Most cabins or tent sites have a view of the Bay of Fundy, and each offers a degree of privacy in an intimate woodland setting.
Please note that you must walk or bicycle for one or two minutes to most of our cabins and tent platforms- you cannot drive your vehicle to them.
We have a wheelbarrow, cart, and ATV available to ferry your essentials to your cabin door so you don't have to carry anything heavy. We want to keep the cabin area as quiet as possible for all our guests and for the surrounding wildlife. Please read the cabin descriptions carefully, as each cabin is unique, and not all of them have the same amenities.
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Cabins are fully furnished, have towels and linens, basic cooking facilities including pot, pans and utensils but do not include microwaves, TV's and radios. Most have hot showers and flush toilets. Community hot showers and Laundry facilities are located in our Barn building. All buildings are non-smoking, and are accessed along walking paths. Pets are Welcome. For weekly Rates, please see our Rates section. All Prices include tax.
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Frog Hollow is a tiny cabin in the woods that overlooks our organic garden and a frog pond. It has a small outer room with a sink/fridge/electric stovetop combination unit, a small table, and two chairs. The bedroom has a double bed and counter. There is room under the counter and under the bed to stow your gear. Outside the cabin is a large rock outcropping that is nice for sunbathing or just relaxing and appreciating nature. The hot water in Frog Hollow is heated with staff built solar panels. Toilet and shower facilities are readily available in The Barn 100 feet down a well lit path. Because it is such a small cabin, it is only big enough for 1 or 2 people.
This cabin has a fantastic view of the marsh. Situated in a cluster of trees overlooking the salt marsh, Swallowtail Lighthouse, Long Island, and the Bay, it is very private, yet has windows facing in three directions.
The view, particularly at sunrise, from either inside the cabin or out on the deck, is breathtaking. The small loft, which is accessed via a ladder and where the double bed is situated, has several large windows, giving nearly a 360-degree view. The main floor is equipped with a fridge, sink, and propane stove/oven. There is also a double futon and small wood stove in the living area. Some of the hot water comes from a staff built, environmentally-friendly solar water heater which supplies the sink and outdoor shower. The cabin has a private toilet room on the main floor. Guests may also use the flush toilets and indoor shower located by the barn along with the facilities in the cabin. Most comfortably equipped for 2 people, an additional 1 or 2 people can easily be accommodated on the double futon.
The Lookout's design - something like living under an
opened umbrella, is very unique. The cabin is roughly the shape of a pentagon, with glass sliding doors looking out on the marsh. The design includes a circular skylight and several large windows that create a bright, open interior. At night, a string of lights around the inside of the cabin produces a cozy feeling. Skinned and varnished tree trunks hold up the roof and support the windowed walls. It has a deck for viewing all the marsh activity, and benefits from much the same views as the Birdhouse, including the marsh, the bay, and amazing sunrises. Though there's just one principal room containing a kitchen (with a fridge, sink with hot and cold running water, electric stove/oven), a bedroom area, and a living area with chairs and side table, the Lookout is quite spacious. Off of the main room is a coat room and a private toilet room. The shower is located outside. The Lookout has an indoor and an outdoor shower (both with Hot and Cold water). There is one double bed and an additional 1 or 2 people can easily be accommodated on the dinette that pulls out into a bed.
A two story winterized cabin, Larch Grove is as close as
you get to "rustic luxury." Nestled in the trees within sight of the marsh and Bay, it is a wonderful place for groups or families to spend their time. The upper floor has a screened porch ideal for birders, and the lower level has a large living area with a wood stove and goldfish pond in the corner. Each floor has several large windows, providing good views of the woods and wildlife in all directions. Each level has one bedroom, it's own fully-equipped kitchen (including a microwave), a living area, and lavatory with a toilet and a sink. Both levels have electric baseboard heat. There is a shower located on the second floor, and a washer and dryer located on the main floor. A 2 person spa is located in the entry porch and is available to guests (adults only) who rent the whole house for a week or more for an additional $35. There is also a TV and VCR (local channels only) on the lower level. A double bed and double futon on both levels, along with 4 single beds divided between two lofts enables the Larch Grove to sleep up to 12 people comfortably. The rental rate shown is for 2 people. Each additional person is an extra $5 per night. Family rates available.
The Barn is a two-story building located at the top of our property. It is the only cabin where you can park right in front of the door. Though it may not have the view that cabins along the marsh have, it is a warm and cozy place to that offers full access to everything the Castalia Marsh Retreat has to offer: THE GATHERING PLACE , the Fire Pit for evening campfires, beautiful vistas of the Marsh and Light House as well as hiking trails and the Organic Gardens. There is a sundeck on the second floor, and a covered porch on the lower floor
that enable you to enjoy the outdoors no matter what the weather. The lower level has a kitchen with a fridge, stove, and hot and cold water, a toilet, a dining area, and living area. There is a TV (local channels only), and a futon/bunkbed that doubles as a couch. There are two single beds in one room, and two double beds in another on the upper level. In total, the Barn can easily accommodate 9 people. Showers are in separate rooms accessed from the outside of the lower level and are shared with other guests. The rental rate shown is for 2 people. Each additional person is an extra $5 per night. Family rates available.
This is the newest addition to our list of accommodations.
The main floor has a port-a-toilet, fridge, electric stove, hot running water, table,
chairs and futon couch. In the loft there is a double and a single bed. Guests share public showers and regular toilets which are about 25 meters (75ft.) away.
The cabin is constructed of varnished wood and fabric with the front wall being mostly glass overlooking a fish pond.
This cabin has lots of windows and a large deck with a great view of the Duck, Geese, Hawk and Eagle activity in the salt marsh, as well as a view of
Swallowtail light house, and the Bay.
It is a basic one room cabin equipped with a full kitchen, table and chairs, a double bed and a futon on main floor and a double bed in a small loft. There is a shower and toilet in a separate room.
A yurt is typically a one room circular building constructed
out of lightweight materials. Nomads in what is now Mongolia originally designed them, however, they have been modified by numerous people since then. Our 16 foot Yurt has a gas stove, hot and cold water, double bed, dinette that converts to double bed, toilet and shower and is constructed of varnished wood, fabric with a large window looking through the woods over the marsh and ocean - in a way it gets the best of both worlds by enjoying the privacy of the woods, and the beauty of the marsh. Because of the lightweight walls and circular skylight, the interior is very bright and open. Varnished wood cupboards, counters and beams add to the delightful appearance of the Yurt.
This building was created to facilitate small group participation in health oriented workshops such as yoga, meditation, massage, music, dance, environment, lectures etc. The soft light through the roof, round shape of the room and structure with the
natural light and color streaming through the windows creates feelings of serenity and a connection with nature. The Gathering Place will also be available for pot-luck dinners, and for rainy summer day arts and crafts, story telling and other types of entertainment.
The Gathering Place is a 28 ft wide circular building with a translucent roof. The front half of the building provides a panoramic vista of the marsh and over the ocean to Swallow Tail Lighthouse.
The Gathering Place has a fully equipped kitchen with a three-tub sink, two fridges, a commercial gas range, and everything else you'd need: pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, bowls, microwave, toasters, coffee maker etc. This facility is perfect for social events, rainy day activities, pot luck dinners, workshops, lectures, birthday parties, anniversaries, cooking classes, etc..
All tent sites are built on wooden platforms in an effort to keep campers dry. The only
problem this presents is pegging down tents. Because tent pegs don't work well on wooden surfaces, screws
and drills are available. Currently we have 3 tent platforms, however one or more of these sites may become a Yurt sometime in the future.
Each site has a table and cold running water. Showers, flush toilets and laundry facilities are available in the barn. There is a community camp fire pit near the marsh (no fires are permitted at individual sites).
There is a greenhouse and garden located on the site. It's a wonderful place to spend time, and very rewarding to see the tiny seeds grow into edible produce! Our crop includes peas, corn, carrots, lettuce, spinach, beets, tomatoes, and more. These vegetables are grown organically.
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Call or e-mail us for information about cabin availability, including year-round rentals.
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Grand Manan is a beautiful place to spend a day, week, or even the whole summer. Though it is the largest island in the Grand Manan Archipelago, it takes less than an hour to drive from one end to the other and back again. It takes months, however, to fully explore all aspects of the island. From the small and picturesque fishing villages to the dramatic cliffs, Grand Manan is full of diversity and beauty. There is something for nearly everyone on this Island where life runs to the pulse of the tides and wind. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the abundance of hiking trails and spectacular views.
They may also enjoy seeing the island from a different point of view in a kayak. We are able to arrange kayaking trips and bike rentals with our friends at Adventure High. For details on what Adventure High offers, visit their web site at www.adventurehigh.com. For a nice, easy stroll, the Anchorage Provincial Park has several leisurely, yet interesting trails, including a lengthy boardwalk. Naturalists will be delighted to know that Grand Manan is an excellent place to birdwatch. Inland there are numerous ponds, creeks, and lakes for fresh water swimming and fishing. Everyone who comes to the Island should visit Swallowtail lighthouse, and enjoy the wonderful view it has to offer. The island's history is quite fascinating, and is well documented in the local museum and research center. Small shops and the simple way of life are a welcome change for most urbanites. Because of the large numbers and varieties of whales that visit the Bay during the late spring and summer, Whale Watching trips are plentiful. Two well known operations are Whales and Sails (www.whales-n-sails.com) and Sea Watch Tours (www.seawatchtours.com). The only problem with coming to Grand Manan is that you may just fall in love with the island and end up returning year after year to enjoy her beauty.
our NEW url: www.castaliamarshretreat.com
E-Mail us at our NEW E-Mail address: cabins@castaliamarshretreat.com
Web Design/Promotion by:  Page revised April 8 2008
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