Entire house boat

Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas

Houseboat near Riverwalk in Wilmington

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Smart TV
Smart TV
Interior
Outdoor dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire house boat

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 41200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Wilmington, NC
  • Place, Riverwalk
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Live Oak Bank Pavilion
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, Wilmington Convention Center
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Airport, Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    ‪6 min drive‬

Room options

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About the neighborhood

Wilmington

Heart of Wilmington.At this Downtown Wilmington houseboat, you'll be within a 5-minute walk of Riverwalk and Live Oak Bank Pavilion. Cape Fear Community College and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Riverwalk - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Live Oak Bank Pavilion - 4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Wilmington Convention Center - 6 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Cape Fear Community College - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles

Getting around

  • Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) - 6 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Brunch Thyme - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Bonita Latin Fusion - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Tequila Comida & Cantina - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Eagle's Dare - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Marina Grill - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire house boat to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas

Welcome to The Cove Riverwalk Villas, Wilmington’s most unique vacation rental community!



Balance is a harmonious retreat, adorned in black, white, and gold, inspired by yin and yang. This houseboat invites you to embrace a slower pace and rediscover your inner equilibrium afloat on the water. With panoramic marina views and mesmerizing sunsets, Balance offers an idyllic sanctuary for those seeking respite and inner reconnection.



Balance is located at slip #28, about 2/3 of the way down the dock on the marina side.



Full kitchen stocked with everything you could need to prepare a great meal. Complimentary local coffee, creamer, and sugar, are provided alongside a drip coffee maker.



First floor bedroom with Queen size bed, large closet, ceiling fan, and 40” Smart TV



Two full bathrooms, one on each floor, with walk-in showers. Complimentary hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are provided, along with bath and hand towels, wash cloths, and make-up towels.



Second floor bedroom with King sized bed, large closet, dresser, ceiling fan, and 55” Smart TV



First floor open concept living and dining room, featuring dining table with four seats, three bar stools along the kitchen island, cozy couch and arm chairs.



Second floor living room featuring a comfy sofa, 55” Smart TV, and a beautiful view of the Cape Fear River through the sliding glass doors. A dedicated workspace allows you the work-from-home space of your dreams.



Large patio on second floor featuring an outdoor bar with a mini fridge and sink 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.



Guests have full access to the entire houseboat for the duration of their stay



Our office is located at Slip #1. A team member is typically available on-site daily from 10am-5pm for guest assistance. If there is no one on-site, you can also reach us through the messaging option on your booking site and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.



The Cove is located in Port City Marina (PCM), a top-tier, gated, full-service marina offering over 200 cutting-edge floating concrete wet slips. Situated on the picturesque Cape Fear River, PCM is a haven for both transient boaters and our esteemed residents enjoying the luxury of our permanent floating villas.



Our state-of-the-art dock hosts all 40 of our exquisite villas, boasting thoughtfully designed angled slips, picturesque landscaping, and a welcoming community space at the dock`s end.



PCM`s prime location on the along the award-winning Riverwalk grants boaters and villa guests unparalleled access to the vibrant Downtown Wilmington scene. Indulge in the city`s rich cultural offerings, savor delectable dining experiences, and immerse yourself in the vibrant arts and entertainment scene, all just steps away from our marina.



Parking is available for one vehicle per villa in an off-site parking garage. The parking garage is located about a 5-7 minute walk from the Marina, so we recommend packing in suitcases with wheels, bringing a foldable cart if you have one. We often get unexpected rain showers on the coast, so we also recommend packing an umbrella or rain jacket.



Welcome to The Cove Riverwalk Villas —your perfect getaway in Downtown Wilmington! We`re just steps from Port City Marina and the Wilmington Convention Center, and one block from The Wilson Center and Live Oak Bank Pavilion, so you can skip the parking stress and event traffic. Who needs a designated driver when you’re this close to the action?



Historic Downtown Wilmington is less than a mile away, with tons of shops, restaurants, breweries, and live music. Get there on foot, hop on the free trolley, or take a quick drive—either way, fun is just around the corner! For the inside scoop on local hotspots and events, check out our Guidebook or visit `Wilmington and Beaches` online.



Need to catch a flight or hit the beach? Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is only 8 minutes away, and Wrightsville Beach, Jungle Rapids, and UNCW are all within a 10-mile radius.



Bringing your boat? Our friends at Port City Marina would love to rent you a slip—just reach out to them directly and let the good times roll!



The unique charm of The Cove comes from its prime position atop the Cape Fear River. Here in Wilmington, you might encounter a local `water bug` or ‘palmetto bug’. While their visits are rare thanks to our rigorous cleanliness standards, these occasional guests are simply part of riverside living. Rest assured, we continuously strive to minimize their appearances and appreciate your understanding.



Parking for The Cove is conveniently located in a nearby garage approximately 0.3 miles from the dock. The garage offers 24/7 in/out access and is equipped with an elevator for easy loading and unloading. Parking for one vehicle per reservation is included, with additional parking available at daily rates set by the garage.

While the garage is close, guests should be aware that there is a 5–7 minute walk to the dock due to our marina setting. Rolling luggage is highly recommended, and bringing a cart or wagon can be helpful. A limited number of wagons are available for guest use at our on-site office on a first-come, first-serve basis.



If this villa’s booked, no worries - send us a message and we can help you find another date or villa that suits your needs. We would love to have you Stay Afloat!



@thecove_wilmington

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the accommodation: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Location highlights

  • In the city center
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • Near the marina
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Property does not allow children
  • Unit size: 1,200 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Rules

-No flushing of anything other than natural waste and septic safe toilet paper(provided) -Children younger than 12 must be accompanied 24/7 for safety
-Absolutely no swimming allowed - the current in the Cape Fear River is strong and dangerous -No smoking or illicit drugs
-Failure to return the front door key upon check-out will result in a $300.00 fee

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • This property does not allow children.
  • Note from host: Children 12&Under must be accompanied at all times

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. Long-term renters welcome. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

436075

Frequently asked questions

How close is Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas to the airport?

This houseboat is 3.5 mi (6-min drive) away from the Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?

As of Nov 18, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas on Nov 20, 2025 start from $258.75, excluding 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.

Does Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this houseboat.

How close is Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas to the beach?

This houseboat is 12.3 mi (19-min drive) from Wrightsville Beach and 17.6 mi (29-min drive) from Carolina Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas offer free breakfast?

This houseboat does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?

No, there is no casino at this houseboat.

What time is check-in at Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?

Free parking is not available at this houseboat.

Does Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas have a pool?

This houseboat does not have a pool.

Does Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this houseboat.

How close is Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas to downtown Wilmington?

This houseboat is 0.8 mi away from Wilmington.

Balance @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 3 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Natasha L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great location and clean!

The home was very comfortable and clean! We chose the location for an event we planned and it was perfect.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Margaret t.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing

The boathouse was absolutely immaculate- inside and out. Had everything you could need. Views from the balconies were amazing. It’s in the perfect location - pretty much within the walking distance of everything downtown. There is a free trolly/bus system that serves downtown and stops right at the corner of the cove if you don’t feel like walking everywhere. It’s a very special place to stay and experience- nothing else quite like it!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024