Entire house boat·Private host

Malibu @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas

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Photo gallery for Malibu @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas

Outdoor dining
Marina
Interior
Smart TV
Smart TV

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire house boat

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Parking available

Explore the area

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

Room options

Similar properties

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.

Malibu @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas

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

Welcome to Malibu, your luxurious getaway, offering the best view of the historic Battleship NC right from your back patio. This stunning houseboat features neutral and sophisticated decor, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere for your stay. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, our houseboat provides the perfect setting for a memorable experience on the water.

Malibu is located at slip #37, at the end of the dock on the Riverwalk 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 pull-out 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.
During your stay at this houseboat, you're just a quick walk from Riverwalk. You'll find features like laundry facilities.
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Steps from Riverwalk and 10 minutes by car from University of North Carolina at Wilmington
This houseboat offers its guests laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Wilmington houseboat is smoke free.


Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the accommodation: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car not required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the city centre
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

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)
  • Fire extinguisher

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

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
-Absolutely no swimming allowed - the current in the Cape Fear River is strong and dangerous -No smoking or illicit drugs allowed in the marina
-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

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
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
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
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

436087

Malibu @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Shielda L.

Liked: Cleanliness
The property was absolutely beautiful! Looked just like the pictures. The outside are at the end of the walkway with the outdoor seating and grill was really nice. The view was amazing from our deck. On our way out Zack was an awesome help getting our luggage to our vehicle in the pouring rain. He had such a wonderful spirit. We will definitely be returning.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph, Virginia Beach

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The boathouse was amazing, beautiful well kept very clean
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alissa L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful location!

We loved everything about this trip! The property was clean, perfectly located and so peaceful! Will definitely stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gary W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great way to stay in Wilmington!

The property was great. It was already cooled down when we walked in which I love and it was very clean. Nicely laid out, everything was at an updated level and balcony looking at the water was great. Would stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

wayne j.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful & Peaceful

Staying in the house boat was one of the cooler things we have done. It was even nicer than the pictures. The marina and river walk are some much fun and great restaurants. It was a 10 out of 10. We will be back for sure.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracey M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful!!!!

The owners were fantastic! The houseboat was impressive to say the least. Nothing was missing! The details in the decor were beautiful! We enjoyed our stay so much and can’t wait to return soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024