Entire house boat

Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas

Photo gallery for Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas

A covered outdoor seating area with a round table, two chairs, a sofa, and a potted plant. - Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas (Wilmington)
A modern kitchen with grey cabinets, a central island, and a dining area with a sofa and chairs. - Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas (Wilmington)
A bedroom with a bed, a TV, a ceiling fan, and a window. - Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas (Wilmington)
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a central island, and a dining area with a glass table and metal chairs. - Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas (Wilmington)
A floating hotel with multiple levels, a docked boat, and a walkway connecting the structures. - Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas (Wilmington)
Close to Wilmington Convention Center and Riverwalk, Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas provides amenities such as laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill

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About this property

Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas

  • Summary:

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



    Discover the perfect blend of leisure and nostalgia at Dockside, a houseboat designed for both relaxation and entertainment. This villa boasts a collection of vinyl records and a record player, inviting you to set the mood with your favorite tunes. Unwind on the patio with a good book from our library, or engage in friendly competition with board games provided for your enjoyment.



    The Space:

    Dockside is located at slip #30, about 3/4 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 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.



    Guest Access:

    Guests have access to the entire villa during their stay



    The Neighborhood:

    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 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.



    Getting Around:

    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.



    Other Things to Note:

    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



    Please note: A separate rental agreement is required to be signed within 48 hours of booking. This agreement provides important property specific rules and regulations in compliance with the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act and can be reviewed in advance upon request.



    Interaction with Guests:

    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.

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About the area

Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Downtown Wilmington, a neighbourhood in Wilmington. Battleship North Carolina and Live Oak Bank Pavilion are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Mayfaire Town Center and The Cotton Exchange. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews are also worth visiting. Visit our Wilmington travel guide
View more Houseboats in Wilmington
Map
Wilmington, NC

What's nearby

  • A river winding through a city with industrial areas and green spaces.
    Riverwalk
    1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • A waterfront promenade with a metal pier, trees, and a building with a red roof.
    Wilmington Convention Center
    6 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Live Oak Bank Pavilion
    4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Cape Fear Community College
    7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College
    9 min walk - 0.5 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Brunch Thyme
    11 min walk
  • Java Dog Coffee House
    12 min walk
  • Copper Penny
    15 min walk
  • Eagle's Dare
    14 min walk
  • Cape Fear Wine And Beer
    15 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

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

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

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

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas located?

Located in Downtown Wilmington, this houseboat is within a 15-minute walk of Riverwalk and Wilmington Convention Center. Riverfront Park and Live Oak Bank Pavilion are also within 5 minutes.

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Reviews

Dockside at The Cove Riverwalk Villas Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.0

Cleanliness

9.4

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

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect

We had a great weekend. From the clean and comfortable interior to the relaxing porch and great proximity to downtown it was the perfect weekend getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

AMAZING property!

We loved our stay, next time it will be longer! We were seeing a concert at Greenlake Amphitheater, just a short Lyft ride away, so a perfect location. The houseboat is HUGE and the deck is incredible. Highly recommend if you are looking for a place to stay in Wilmington!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great stay at the Cove

This is our second time staying here. Its a very innovative concept with these "houseboats" in the marina. It was very clean and had all the comforts of home. Communication on what to do and what to expect was A
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
There was a glitch in the scheduling(double booking ) with the computer, and our unit was switched but after talking with our hostess everything was straightened out we were all very pleased with the care taken to accommodate us .and the guys logan and Philip took us back and forth to the parking deck and to town for our breakfast even loaded things into our villa . great experience all around. Beautiful weather and nice sunsets we did the river walk and town all 4 days thanks to the crew at The Coves at Dockside . Hopefully we'll make a return visits in the future.
View of sunset from top floor balcony 
 of our floating villa
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Not Mr. Clean

All I will say is that I left the boathouse a lot cleaner than when k checked in. Housekeeping was horrendous, specifically in the downstairs bedroom. I have pictures!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Unique

Fun and unique property…
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024