Entire house boat·Private host

Explore @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas

Photo gallery for Explore @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas

Outdoor dining
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Marina
Marina
2 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Experience the ultimate waterfront retreat at The Cove. Enjoy a spacious villa with an open concept kitchen, dining, and living area perfect for cooking up a storm or simply relaxing with friends and family. Take in the views of the Cape Fear River from your private patio or unwind in one of two beautifully decorated living spaces.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire apartment

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4

Popular amenities

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

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

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

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

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the accommodation: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • 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

  • No lift
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the city centre
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Basketball nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

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

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 allowed in the marina
-Failure to return the front door key upon check-out will result in a $300.00 fee

Pets

Pets not 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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that 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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

Property is also known as

436080

About the area

Map
Wilmington, NC

What's nearby

  • Riverwalk - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Wilmington Convention Center - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Cape Fear Community College - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Live Oak Bank Pavilion - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Battleship North Carolina - 5 min drive - 1.0 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Eagle's Dare - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Bonita Latin Fusion - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Tequila Comida & Cantina - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Mellow Mushroom Wilmington - Downtown - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Marina Grill - ‬4 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Explore @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

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

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Explore @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Explore @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas located?

Located in Downtown Wilmington, this houseboat is steps away from Riverwalk and Wilmington Convention Center. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Cape Fear Community College are also within 10 minutes.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Explore @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 8 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 8 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 8 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Laura C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place with friends

Five stars all atound
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mackenzie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful!

We loved our stay here. The place was beautiful, and the concept of the house boats was so unique. We loved hanging out on the patio overlooking the marina. It was great walking distance to downtown. This will be our new go to spot whenever staying in Wilmington.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Donna S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing

The houseboat was amazing. We are definitely coming back. It was roomy and decorated beautifully. Loved every minute of our stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary J F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Birthday retreat!

I wanted to do something different for my birthday & The Cove villa was perfect! It’s equipped with almost everything & spotless clean! We enjoyed views of the marina, daytime relaxing on the balcony & the restaurant options close by. Andrew was a real help getting us settled in! Definitely hope to return soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Colette R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome

I truly enjoyed my stay at the EXPLORE houseboat villa. Everything looked exactly like the pictures. All directions provided were accurate as well. I wish there was a ceiling fan on the top deck (we did find a small fan to use outside though) but other than that everything was perfect! We will be back!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Miguel

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Rebecca B.

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christy D.

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025