Forget finding waterfront accommodations — for a truly unique vacation, consider staying on the water in a houseboat. Houseboats blend the freedom of boating with all the comforts of home in your own cozy cabin. The best part is that you don’t need to own a boat to experience it. Houseboats — just like cabins, condos, and hotel rooms — are readily available to rent to vacationers around the world. Interested in trying one for yourself? Here are a few helpful tips for first-time houseboaters.
What Is a Houseboat?
Houseboats are a step above your average boat rental. Unlike pontoons or speedboats that you can rent for a day trip, houseboats are essentially floating homes that are outfitted with the essentials: kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, Wi-Fi, and plumbing. Most can be piloted around calm lakes and rivers, but some houseboats are stationary and require a tugboat to move them, or they remain docked in place.
If they do move, they’re best for slow, scenic cruising over the course of several days (or weeks), typically maxing out at 15 mph. They’re well suited for the calm waters of lakes, rivers, or coastal inlets, rather than the open ocean. In contrast, luxury yachts are designed to travel long distances on the high seas at much faster rates.
Similar to vacation home rentals, houseboat rentals come in all shapes and sizes, from ones with bare-bones cabins to accommodations with hot tubs, personal chefs, and waterslides. You can find homes available to rent in waterways around the world — you just have to know where to look.
How To Find a Houseboat Rental
Vacation rental platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo now feature houseboat listings, many with unique features like rooftop lounges, wraparound decks, kayaks, fishing equipment, or jet skis. When using a vacation rental platform, you can read reviews from other travelers before you book and choose from more than 200 countries and regions around the world.
If you’re looking for a site solely dedicated to water-based retreats, Le Boat offers one of the largest fleets of canal boats in Europe and Canada, with easy-to-navigate vessels that don’t require a captain’s license. (Instead, you’ll receive a temporary permit after completing a boating lesson.) Many of these rental options are also dog-friendly, making them an excellent choice for the entire family.
Many travelers choose to book a houseboat through a reputable vendor like HouseBoating.org, which offers houseboats in lakes, rivers, and canals across the U.S. and Canada. Or, if you have a specific destination in mind, a quick search for local houseboat rental companies in your chosen destination can often turn up hidden gems not listed on the big platforms.
Tips for First-Time Houseboat Renters
If you’ve ever stayed at a vacation rental, many of the same tips apply to houseboats, with a few extra considerations because you’re staying on the water. First and foremost, check the licensing rules of the destination where you’re staying. If the houseboat isn’t going to be docked for your entire stay, you might need a boating license or a short certification course in order to captain the boat. The owner of your rental should provide you with this information.
Storage is typically more limited on houseboats than in other types of vacation rentals, so pack light and only bring the essentials. Most houseboats have a full kitchen, so you may be able to make some of your meals on board. However, if you’re staying in a more remote location, grocery stores might be scarce, so plan ahead and pack your own snacks, beverages, and other groceries. Along with regular toiletries and medications, you may also want to bring along some remedies for motion sickness — even if the boat is docked, it might gently rock.
As for cost, the price of a houseboat varies greatly, just like any other vacation rental, depending on location, amenities, and season. Houseboating is ideal for families and small groups, who can typically save money by booking accommodations with several bedrooms and shared living spaces. This can make even high-end houseboat rentals surprisingly affordable.
Unique Houseboat Adventures Around the World
For adventurous travelers, a houseboat vacation with Shayamanzi Houseboats in South Africa may be a dream trip. These fully catered accommodations are located on Lake Jozini in the Pongola Game Reserve, offering a blend of a boating and safari trip. Guests can fish for tigerfish, a popular African game fish, or spot wildlife from the deck, all while enjoying freshly prepared meals on board.
Australia is another appealing option. From exploring the remote gorges of the Kimberley region on the guided Nyawoorn houseboat to leisurely drifting along with Murray River Houseboats in Victoria, Australia’s waterways offer incredible diversity.
For even more immersion into nature, travelers can cruise through the heart of the Amazon Rainforest in South America on a private, eco-friendly houseboat. Tour companies such as Rainforest Cruises offer customizable packages.
In Egypt, you can take a vacation on one of the most famous waterways in the world, the Nile River. One of the most popular rental options, Houseboat65 in Cairo, offers several inviting rooms with river views.
While traditional houseboats are excellent options, also consider a stay on a dahabiya. These classic Egyptian sailing vessels have been traveling the Nile River for centuries. They’re essentially floating boutique hotels, offering private rooms, gourmet meals, and exciting activities and excursions along the Nile. Tour companies like Dahabiya Nile Sailing specialize in these unforgettable journeys.
Or Stay Closer To Home
Not up for the long flight to reach your houseboat rental? You don’t have to travel far to have a memorable houseboat vacation. From skyline views in Seattle to an off-the-grid floating fishing cottage in Key West, the U.S. has many options for houseboat rentals.
One of the top houseboating destinations in the country is Lake Powell, which straddles the Utah-Arizona border and boasts over 2,000 miles of shoreline. At Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas, first-time boaters can learn how to pilot a houseboat rental with a quick lesson. Spend your days exploring sandstone canyons while enjoying what houseboating is all about: an unforgettable vacation on the water.
Featured Stories
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Optimism, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
