We met John, our gracious host, at the dock in Madaket. He took us to Tuckernuck by boat past and through the many natural wonders of the area. Our group had plans to surf cast every day and John made sure to point out some great spots as we approached. Once landed it was a short walk up to “The Decoy,” his family’s historic cottage. Getting on the island does involve getting your feet wet so bring some water shoes or sandals. Once there, John gave us a tour of the house and a brief history of the island. He walked us through the operational procedures for maintaining all the important modern amenities in “life without electricity,” which were surprisingly few. Though we did not have air conditioning or a television, we did not want for them. Exploring the island, fishing, and enjoying the company of our party (and that of our new friends John and Paisley) provided all the entertainment we could ask for. The cool breeze off the Atlantic crossed through the house and kept everyone cool and comfortable. We caught lots of fish, saw abundant wildlife in this unspoiled natural environment, and were immersed in the history and traditions of the island. The perfect adventure for surfcasters, birders/naturalists, history buffs, or anyone looking to unplug and reconnect with nature and their companions. My only regret was having to leave so soon. Thank you John! Till next time my friend!

Everything about this place is amazing. The history, location, seclusion is wonderful. Star gazing at night was unreal The beaches are pristine Our host was delightful We will be back

My husband and I just left the Decoy and we’re looking to book again for next year. Incredible from start to finish! The island, the house, the beach, the host, all amazing. I’ve never slept so well or relaxed so much on a vacation. The house is FULL of history as is the island and the host John knows everything and will help with anything you need. The house/cottage is rustic and cozy, with plenty of space for a family to stay. Everything that you need to cook and prepare meals is there. You need to bring your own food but we just brought a few coolers full of food and we had plenty for 4 nights and days. It was so fun and I’m usually very picky about cleanliness and comfort. The sunsets from Potluck cottage right up the hill are better than I’ve ever seen - even better than on our trips to Italy. This place is an absolute must! Thank you John and sweet Paisley girl!!! Mark and Alecia

Our family was seeking a adventure and John Phinney came through! His home is a gem with beautiful ocean views and the stars are breathtaking Peace and quiet is exactly what you will get at the decoy! Thank you John

My husband and I reserved the Decoy with our adult children for a much needed break from pretty much everything. Our experience far exceeded our expectations from start to finish. The journey to get there, our host, the history, the house and this magical island will be most precious memories. Each side of the island has it’s own unique charm, from the tranquil beach just steps from the Decoy, to the south point where we saw many seals to the east and west, where we went clamming. The trails are beautiful, the history is rich and the disconnection was heaven. The house has everything you need and more. If you’re lucky, John’s dogs will pay you a visit as you lounge in the Adirondack chairs. You definitely don’t want to miss the brilliant sunrise and sunset from your own private beachfront. Our vacation filled our hearts and recharged our batteries. We can’t wait to visit again!!

My family and I were looking for a fun beach adventure, and The Decoy did not disappoint. The house is located on the northern part of Tuckernuck about a 1 minute (if even that long) walk to a beach on Nantucket Sound. The house is off grid, but we found we had everything we needed. We visited on an unusually cold weekend. However, there was plenty of firewood to keep us warm. John, the owner, stayed in a cottage next door and was readily available to assist with anything we needed. John also offered to take us on a number activities, including clamming, fishing and hunting for arrowheads at low tide. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. We loved our stay here. The island is like nowhere else we’ve been, and we look forward to coming back. Keep in mind that this is a remote island with few amenities, so bring a sense of adventure and a little flexibility. If you do, you will love this place. Also, the beds were very comfortable and the house was clean, two major pluses.

My husband and I stayed at The Decoy to celebrate our 30th anniversary. We were looking for a quiet, serene, off the grid getaway, and weren't disappointed. This historic, rustic, and quaint house is truly from another time. We spent our days walking the beach or exploring the island, and our nights sitting by the fire. This is not for amenity seekers; there are no restaurants or grocery stores here, so you need to come prepared. But for us, the tranquility and beauty of Tuckernuck was enough. From booking through departure, John, the owner, was responsive, informative and kind. He offered to take us bass fishing, and entertained us with stories about summers spent as a kid on the island. Tuckernuck is special place, which we feel grateful to have experienced and look forward to returning to.

During the pandemic, I was looking for a place that was on the beach yet far from crowds. I happened to find The Decoy online and was instantly intrigued. I booked a 4-night stay and never imagined that I'd love the experience as much as I did. From the get-go, John was amazingly helpful - sharing everything I needed to know to be comfortable and more than flexible as plans were up in the air due to COVID-19 restrictions. He was willing to do what we needed to make sure that we arrived safely and had the opportunity to enjoy every second on the island. He arranged for a cab to pick us up at the ferry and take us to the grocery store before taking us to meet him at the dock for the trip over to Tuckernuck which was something I never would have thought of. The Decoy is exactly as described - but what you don't realize is that you're stepping into history. John's obvious love for the island and his family's history comes through as he shares details of the island, his childhood spent there, and the many fascinating items in the house. The kitchen has everything you need to prepare a meal, the shower is warm, the bed is a dream, and there is more than enough space in the home to steal some privacy if you're traveling with a large group. To spend a few days removed from modern life was a dream. There's light cell reception should you need to make a call - and though there isn't television, radio, etc. you really don't need it and by the time you're leaving - you don't miss it. The island can entertain you for days on end whether you're walking the inland paths or spend half a day walking around the entire circumference of the island on the beach. The sunsets are amazing to behold from any location and the beaches themselves are sandy and great for swimming at one point or rocky and full of shells at another. It's the best of everything! We wound up extending our stay a day because we didn't want to leave - and if we didn't have to get home to "real life" we would have stayed another night, and then another . . . We plan to return in October if possible and again next summer - it's just a magical place where time stands still and you truly get to relax and recharge without the pressure of "doing" things. John's entire family is lovely and we really feel so lucky that they willingly shared this treasure with us. We cannot wait to return!