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In 1995, Robert Williford bought a dilapidated house on a rocky outcropping off Marathon, Florida. There was no bridge, no power lines, and no fresh water. Over the next two years, the family barged in materials, installed wind turbines and solar panels, and built a 5,000-square-foot home with a wrap-around veranda designed to catch the trade winds.
For years, it was a family retreat. When we started offering it as a private island vacation rental, the goal was simple: share the exact off-grid luxury experience we built for ourselves.
Three decades later, the solar system is upgraded to Tesla Powerwalls, there’s Starlink WiFi, and a reverse-osmosis watermaker handles the plumbing — but the premise hasn’t changed. When you rent East Sister Rock Island, you get the whole 1.5 acres. There is no staff living on the island with you, and no other guests.
Robert’s son Wesley manages every stay. When you book directly with us, you’re talking to him. He meets every guest at the mainland dock in Marathon, runs the luggage over on the pontoon boat, gives a 45-minute orientation on how the island systems work, and hands over the keys.
After that, Wesley goes back to the mainland. He’s on call 24/7 if you need a boat captain for dinner in town or help with the generator, but otherwise, the island is yours.
It’s a fair question — renting a private island online requires trust. East Sister Rock Island LLC is a registered Florida business, licensed for vacation rentals and events by the City of Marathon. We’ve been featured in Vice, Coastal Living, and on HGTV. We’ve hosted hundreds of families over 25 years. Check our verified reviews, or better yet, call us at +1 (786) 863-4866 to speak with Wesley directly.