You'll have the entire house boat to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
The Cove - Houseboat Serenity
Welcome to The Cove, Wilmington's most unique vacation rental community.
Floating atop the Cape Fear River, our Riverwalk Villa community offers an experience unlike any you've had before.
From the gentle rocking of the river, to the peaceful view of the sunset, your stay at The Cove is sure to leave you feeling refreshed, restored, and wanting to return again soon.
@thecove_wilmington (IG/FB/TT)
The space:
After parking in our free lot and making the 5 minute stroll down onto the docks of the Port City Marina, you’ll arrive at The Cove, Riverwalk Villas. Secured with dock ties and connected to electricity and water, you'll quickly realize that a stay at our dockside community offers the perfect mix of adventure, luxury and relaxation.
Upon entering your villa, you’ll notice the spacious open concept kitchen/dining/living area and think to yourself, "I should have brought more friends!" (Don't worry, there's always next time.)
Cooking & Eating: With a dining table that seats four, three benches along the island, and a kitchen stocked with everything you need to make a great meal, you could actually host your next Thanksgiving here. Complementary coffee, creamer and sugar are provided, alongside a drip coffee maker.
Living Room 1: If cooking isn't your idea of fun, you may be more drawn to the beautifully decorated downstairs living space, where you can relax on the cozy couch surrounded by tall windows that overlook the Marina.
Bathroom 1: Just past the common area is the first floor bathroom, which features a walk-in shower and full size washer and dryer. Complementary shampoo, conditioner and body wash are provided in each of the bathrooms, as well as laundry pods, dryer sheets, hair dryer and a steamer.
Bedroom 1 (Queen): Connected by a pocket door is the downstairs bedroom with a Queen bed, large closet, ceiling fan, 40" Smart TV, and access door to the quaint back patio; a great spot for some quiet reading or alone time.
Living Room 2 (Sofa bed): As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another large living space with a sectional couch (with pull out sleeper), 60" Smart TV, desk and chair, and a beautiful view of the Cape Fear River through the sliding glass doors.
Upstairs Patio: Just outside those doors, you'll find yourself on a large patio featuring an outdoor bar (sink & mini fridge), and a variety of comfortable furniture options. This patio is a fan favorite for everything from morning coffee, afternoon reading, evening spirits, or enjoying a meal. In the Summer months, you'll often hear live music coming from Marina Grill, our delicious on-site restaurant, or Live Oak Bank Pavilion Amphitheater, which is only a block away.
Bedroom 2 (King): Back inside and beyond the living room is the second floor bedroom, featuring a King bed, dresser, large closet, ceiling fan & 55" Smart TV.
Bathroom 2: The pocket door connects you from the bedroom to the second floor full bath.
Location:
The Cove is located in Port City Marina, which sits on the North end of the Riverwalk in Downtown Wilmington. Just a few steps from the Wilmington Convention Center and one block from both The Wilson Center, and Live Nation's Live Oak Bank Pavilion Amphitheater, a stay at The Cove offers the perfect solution for those wanting to avoid the chaos of parking, event traffic, and needing a DD.
Less than a mile away you'll find the heart of Historic Downtown Wilmington. Whether you choose to stroll along the Riverwalk, take the free trolley, or drive a few blocks down Water Street, getting there is easy. With many local shops, restaurants, breweries, live music, and events, Downtown offers something for everyone to enjoy. Check out our Guidebook or "Wilmington and Beaches" online for recommendations and events.
Beyond the borders of Downtown, a quick 8 minute drive or Uber ride will get you to the Wilmington International Airport (ILM), and within a 10 mile radius you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Jungle Rapids amusement/water park, UNCW (Go Seahawks!) and much more.
If you're interested in bringing your boat, our friends at Port City Marina would love to rent you a slip! Please reach out to them directly to coordinate that for the dates of your stay.
Check in method: Specific directions including getting to the marina, gate & door codes and wifi information will be messaged to you the morning of your stay.
If this Villa is not available during your preferred time frame, please check out the listings for our other Riverwalk Villas at The Cove, and don't hesitate to reach out for assistance. We would love to have you Stay Afloat!
Property manager
Erin Robinson
Add dates for prices
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the accommodation: WiFi
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Towels provided
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
General
Unit size: 1,200 square feet
Similar properties
Unique deluxe houseboat at Port City Marina named the “Sea Ranch”
Unique deluxe houseboat at Port City Marina named the “Sea Ranch”
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
About the area
Wilmington, NC
What's nearby
Riverwalk - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Live Oak Bank Pavilion - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
Wilmington Convention Center - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
Cape Fear Community College - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
Battleship North Carolina - 5 min drive - 4.6 km
Getting around
Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 6 min drive
Restaurants
The Half - 16 min walk
Mellow Mushroom Wilmington - Downtown - 14 min walk
Edward Teach Brewing - 13 min walk
Cape Fear Wine and Beer - 15 min walk
Marina Grill - 1 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is The Cove - Houseboat Serenity pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at The Cove - Houseboat Serenity?
As of 17 July 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Cove - Houseboat Serenity on 22 July 2025 start from AU$1,170.97, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
What time is check-in at The Cove - Houseboat Serenity?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Cove - Houseboat Serenity?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is The Cove - Houseboat Serenity located?
Located in Downtown Wilmington, this houseboat is within a 10-minute walk of Riverwalk, Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilmington Convention Center. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Cape Fear Community College are also within 10 minutes.
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The Cove - Houseboat Serenity Reviews
Reviews
10
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 4 out of 4 reviews
10 - Excellent
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Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 4 reviews
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Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 4 reviews
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Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 4 reviews
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Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 4 reviews
2 - Terrible
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10/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
10/10
Everything was top quality, very clean, and very convenient to restaurants and shops. The view from the upper deck was amazing.
Kathy B.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
10/10
We came for Grizmas in July which was located just down the street from the houseboat location. We could not have asked for a better stay and experience. Cozy and stylish decor, super clean, and had every amenity we could ask for. Would 100% come back!
Corynne J.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
10/10
We got away for 2 nights, but next time I believe 3 would be better. Ive been looking at these houseboats on Instagram, and was a much easier mini vacation, then trying to make it all the way to the West Coast to Sausalito (on bucket list). My 5 year loved going to see the battle ship (direct view end of dock) a few times a day. We toured it as part of this adventure. Lots of walkable dinner spots!
A few surprises - they had a lot of kitchen stuff (salt pepper, olive oil, sugar, pam, ect). The pull out couch was VERY comfortable. Never laid on one like that! I meant to check the brand of the sectional/pull out bed! We all had our own bedrooms, but the 5 year deemed the pull out couch his room. During moving night, we all fell asleep on the couch bed!
Taylor B.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
10/10
We made it a 3 day weekend & booked a trip to Wilmington as we had family coming to NC to visit/vacation with us & thought a trip to the coast would be fun & a stay on a boathouse would be a treat & Serenity at The Cove was exceptional. The property is outstanding, so well kept, the boathouse was stylishly decorated, there was 5 of us, 4 adults and a child, and we had plenty of room. We really enjoyed the upstairs deck, sitting out on the deck on the water in the evening was a highlight.
The boathouse was stocked with everything you need and more- there's nothing that they don't cover. Summer, was our point of contact and she was fantastic, very helpful. Will 10/10 recommend - it's different from renting a house or staying at a hotel and made the experience so fun for adults and child in our party. We're ready to go back!