Welcome to The Cove Riverwalk Villas, Wilmington’s most unique vacation rental community!
Wanderlust is your travel-inspired retreat with stunning Riverwalk views and the Battleship glimpsed through lush foliage. Decorated to evoke dream destinations, this houseboat embraces a captivating travel theme. A dedicated desk in the upstairs common area offers the perfect space to transition between work, play, and relaxation, all while immersed in the allure of global exploration.
The Space:
Wanderlust is located at slip #31, just 5 slips from 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 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.
Guest Access:
Guests will have access to the entire villa for the duration of 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 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.
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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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Water view
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Be mindful of your surroundings, considerate of your neighbors & respectful of the river.
Walk Only Zone: For safety reasons, the dock is a walk-o...
-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
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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
About the area
Wilmington
Located in Wilmington, this houseboat is in the city centre and on the waterfront. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews and Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Children's Museum of Wilmington and Hannah Block Historic USO Arts Center are also worth visiting.
Wilmington Convention Center - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
Cape Fear Community College - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
Live Oak Bank Pavilion - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
Getting around
Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 12 min drive
Restaurants
Bonita Latin Fusion - 3 min walk
Copper Penny - 12 min walk
Tequila Comida & Cantina - 7 min walk
Eagle's Dare - 12 min walk
The German Cafe - 8 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Wanderlust @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Wanderlust @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?
As of 26 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Wanderlust @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas on 11 June 2026 start from AU$681, including 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.
What time is check-in at Wanderlust @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Wanderlust @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Wanderlust @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas located?
Located in the heart of Wilmington, this houseboat is within a 10-minute walk of Riverwalk, Wilmington Convention Center and Cape Fear Community College. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are also within 10 minutes.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Beautiful property, great location! Check in was easy and the host kept great communication. Perfect for a quick beach getaway! Will definitely stay again!
Went for a short weekend stay and loved every minute. The unit was immaculate, so clean and well appointed. Furnishings were comfortable and the beds and linens were great! Good location - loved the sunset view! Was an easy check in process. Would recommend and will be back!
The property is great. However, access to the property needs to be changed. The access ramp to the propertyis hazardous, especially for seniors and should be replaced with a LIFT-ELEVATOR!!
Slept so well on comfy beds with gentle (almost unnoticeable) rocking. Perfect space with excellent furnishings and appliances. The top deck was excellent for relaxing outside. And the pier ‘park’ at the end was excellent for watching sunsets, playing cornhole, or just enjoying the rocking chairs. Attentive, friendly office staff were a bonus. Definitely staying again!
This house was amazing. My husband & I live in Wilmington & have always wanted to stay. We were very pleased with the cleanliness, decor & cleaning/cooking supplies provided. We will be returning in the future! The view was unbeatable!
Attractively furnished, comfortable unit that is a docked houseboat. Convenient to downtown Wilmington. Easily accommodates 4 people with two bedrooms and baths. Excellent kitchen amenities, including complimentary delicious coffee. Senior citizens (as we are) might be challenged by the stairs.
We only stayed one night but we had a great time. The house boat was beautiful and we had everything we needed. Summer was very responsive when I had questions. We will definitely be back.