Explore @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas

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

With its cozy patio overlooking the boats in the Port City Marina, Explore is a great spot to enjoy the view of the water. Inside, the adventurous and eclectic decor invites you to relax and get inspired, with unique touches that reflect a love for exploration. Whether you’re enjoying a sunset on the deck or unwinding in one of the cozy living rooms, Explore promises a memorable, one-of-a-kind stay.

Explore is located at slip #6, just a few slips down 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 will have access to the entire villa 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
Be mindful of your surroundings, considerate of your neighbors & respectful of the river.

Walk Only Zone: For safety reasons, the dock is a walk-only zone. Running, jumping, cartwheels, and any other form of reckless behavior or unsafe activity are strictly prohibited.

No Swimming: For safety reasons, swimming in the river is not permitted.

Quiet Hours: Please keep noise to a minimum from 10 PM to 8 AM to maintain a peaceful atmosphere for all guests.

No Open Flames: Open flames, including fireworks, and fire pits, are strictly prohibited on the dock and houseboats. The only exception is our Blackstone grill at the end of the dock.

No Smoking: Smoking is not allowed on the dock or houseboats to ensure safety, comfort and clean air for all guests. Evidence of smoking will incur a $350 fine.

No Ride-On Equipment: Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and similar ride-on items are not to be ridden on the dock at any time. Mobility aids like wheelchairs and other accessibility devices are welcome.

Child Supervision: Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult at all times while on the dock.

Pets on Leashes: Animals must be kept on a leash and attended to at all times while on the dock.

No Fishing: For the safety of all guests, fishing is not permitted from the dock or houseboats. However, we encourage you to enjoy the beautiful Conlon Pier, located just next door on the Riverwalk, which offers a perfect spot for casting your line!

HVAC: Please follow posted instructions for HVAC use. Do NOT leave windows or doors open while HVAC is running.

Commercial photography/filming & event inquiries can be directed through our website.

This houseboat offers its guests laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Wilmington houseboat is smoke free.