They say life is better on a houseboat. From 24/7 amazing views to no yardwork to a less-is-more simplistic type of lifestyle, there’s certainly a valid argument here. If you aren’t sure this way of life is necessarily for you but would like to give it a try or just get away for a weekend, there are some incredible houseboats in South Carolina you can visit.
- Lake Wylie - York County
Rick Littlejohn/VRBO Lake Wylie, SC 29710, USA
Rick Littlejohn/VRBO Located on Lake Wylie, part of which stretches into North Carolina, this moored houseboat has 960 square feet of space and sleeps four. The master bedroom has a California king-sized bed and a private deck. The boat has been beautifully renovated and has a sun deck on top, a landing area, a swim deck, and a boat slip. The main house on the peninsula can also be rented along with the houseboat. Visit this houseboat’s VRBO listing for more details and to book your stay.
- Oconee County
Mary Burton/VRBO Oconee County, SC, USA
Mary Burton/VRBO Rustic, yet modern, this houseboat on land is close to both Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee in Oconee County. It’s also convenient to Clemson and sleeps four. See this houseboat’s VRBO listing page for more information.
- Lake Hartwell - Anderson County
House boat Lake Hartwell/VRBO Lake Hartwell, United States
House boat Lake Hartwell/VRBO This 88-foot houseboat on Lake Hartwell near the Georgia border is the largest of all on this list and will sleep eight people. It features a hot tub and has a jet ski available to rent for an additional fee. The boat stays parked in a quiet cove. Go to this houseboat’s VRBO listing to plan your stay.
- Lake Murray - Richland County
Yacht Lake Murray/VRBO Lake Murray, South Carolina, USA
Yacht Lake Murray/VRBO Currently located in the marina by the Liberty on the Lake restaurant in a gated area, this 42-foot yacht will sleep six, but you’ll need to check to see if the Covid limitation to four is still in place. There’s a hot tub, a queen-sized bed in the master bedroom, and another one in the second bedroom that can be turned into a set of twin beds instead if preferred. If you’d like to spend time on the boat away from the dock, this will need to be arranged with the host. Please see the VRBO listing for this houseboat for more details.
- Hilton Head Island
Leslie Brill or Jonah/VRBO Hilton Head Island, SC, USA
Leslie Brill or Jonah/VRBO This 36-foot “Tipsy Time” Carver Yacht is an ‘80s luxury mini-yacht. It sleeps four and has cute decor with retro-style appliances in the kitchen. Located at the Shelter Cove Marina, you will have access to the amenities there, including restaurants and entertainment, free laundry, bicycles, and showers. Get more information at the yacht’s VRBO listing.
- Hilton Head Island
Leslie Brill or Jonah/VRBO
Leslie Brill or Jonah/VRBO Also located at the Shelter Cove Marina, “Horizon Seeker” is a 1984 38-foot vintage Californian yacht that sleeps four and has a balcony. See its VRBO listing for more details and to plan a visit.
- Hilton Head Island
Leslie Brill or Jonah/VRBO
Leslie Brill or Jonah/VRBO One more option at the Shelter Cove Marina, “The Snuggery” is the roomiest at 43 feet long. A 1976 Viking, it’s a vintage luxury yacht that also sleeps four. Go to its VRBO listing for more information.
- Folly Beach
Cooper/VRBO Folly Beach, SC, USA
Cooper/VRBO Located on a private dock in the middle of a beautiful marsh, this Blue Water Sailing Yacht is 60 feet long with a 900-square-foot dock. It sleeps five and has a hammock and picnic table on the pierhead. This beauty has spent most of her life sailing between California and Alaska and has been around the world twice. The host has added a personal touch with an opportunity to name her during your stay. The back of her hull has been painted with chalkboard paint, and there will be chalk available there for you to record the name you decide on. Visit her VRBO listing to book your stay.
- Charleston
Brooke Hesano/VRBO Charleston, SC, USA
Brooke Hesano/VRBO Stay in historic downtown Charleston on this 44-foot Aquila power catamaran with a 3-cabin layout featuring a salon and galley with 360-degree views of gorgeous scenery. It sleeps six and has office space. Guests are required to book a captained charter during their stay aboard “Preferred Return.” Parking at the marina is also an extra expense. Please visit the VRBO listing for more details and information, including rates and minimum requirements.
- Charleston
Joel LeVine/VRBO A 40-foot luxury yacht that sleeps six, this one is located on the Ashley River and is part of the Red Fin Charters’ Fleet, which has been featured on Discovery Channel, Bravo, and ABC. It has a fully equipped kitchen and a gas grill on the back deck. You’re sure to have some sweet dreams after a full day of activities sleeping on the custom-made memory foam mattresses, down comforters, and premium pillows the host has provided. If you have children there’s a nice playground in the park adjacent to the boat. You can arrange for time out on the water with a captain or a fishing or sight-seeing charter on one of the host’s other boats. Options include dolphin tours, shark’s teeth digs, eco-tours, and sunset cruises. Book your stay at the yacht’s VRBO listing.
Joel LeVine/VRBO It’s possible you could be greeted by dolphins one day during your stay at one of these houseboats in Charleston. Even the dolphins love America’s favorite city!
Have you ever stayed on a houseboat? Where and how was it? Share with us in the comments.
Rick Littlejohn/VRBO
Lake Wylie, SC 29710, USA
Located on Lake Wylie, part of which stretches into North Carolina, this moored houseboat has 960 square feet of space and sleeps four. The master bedroom has a California king-sized bed and a private deck. The boat has been beautifully renovated and has a sun deck on top, a landing area, a swim deck, and a boat slip. The main house on the peninsula can also be rented along with the houseboat. Visit this houseboat’s VRBO listing for more details and to book your stay.
Mary Burton/VRBO
Oconee County, SC, USA
Rustic, yet modern, this houseboat on land is close to both Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee in Oconee County. It’s also convenient to Clemson and sleeps four. See this houseboat’s VRBO listing page for more information.
House boat Lake Hartwell/VRBO
Lake Hartwell, United States
This 88-foot houseboat on Lake Hartwell near the Georgia border is the largest of all on this list and will sleep eight people. It features a hot tub and has a jet ski available to rent for an additional fee. The boat stays parked in a quiet cove. Go to this houseboat’s VRBO listing to plan your stay.
Yacht Lake Murray/VRBO
Lake Murray, South Carolina, USA
Currently located in the marina by the Liberty on the Lake restaurant in a gated area, this 42-foot yacht will sleep six, but you’ll need to check to see if the Covid limitation to four is still in place. There’s a hot tub, a queen-sized bed in the master bedroom, and another one in the second bedroom that can be turned into a set of twin beds instead if preferred. If you’d like to spend time on the boat away from the dock, this will need to be arranged with the host. Please see the VRBO listing for this houseboat for more details.
Leslie Brill or Jonah/VRBO
Hilton Head Island, SC, USA
This 36-foot “Tipsy Time” Carver Yacht is an ‘80s luxury mini-yacht. It sleeps four and has cute decor with retro-style appliances in the kitchen. Located at the Shelter Cove Marina, you will have access to the amenities there, including restaurants and entertainment, free laundry, bicycles, and showers. Get more information at the yacht’s VRBO listing.
Also located at the Shelter Cove Marina, “Horizon Seeker” is a 1984 38-foot vintage Californian yacht that sleeps four and has a balcony. See its VRBO listing for more details and to plan a visit.
One more option at the Shelter Cove Marina, “The Snuggery” is the roomiest at 43 feet long. A 1976 Viking, it’s a vintage luxury yacht that also sleeps four. Go to its VRBO listing for more information.
Cooper/VRBO
Folly Beach, SC, USA
Located on a private dock in the middle of a beautiful marsh, this Blue Water Sailing Yacht is 60 feet long with a 900-square-foot dock. It sleeps five and has a hammock and picnic table on the pierhead. This beauty has spent most of her life sailing between California and Alaska and has been around the world twice. The host has added a personal touch with an opportunity to name her during your stay. The back of her hull has been painted with chalkboard paint, and there will be chalk available there for you to record the name you decide on. Visit her VRBO listing to book your stay.
Brooke Hesano/VRBO
Charleston, SC, USA
Stay in historic downtown Charleston on this 44-foot Aquila power catamaran with a 3-cabin layout featuring a salon and galley with 360-degree views of gorgeous scenery. It sleeps six and has office space. Guests are required to book a captained charter during their stay aboard “Preferred Return.” Parking at the marina is also an extra expense. Please visit the VRBO listing for more details and information, including rates and minimum requirements.
Joel LeVine/VRBO
A 40-foot luxury yacht that sleeps six, this one is located on the Ashley River and is part of the Red Fin Charters’ Fleet, which has been featured on Discovery Channel, Bravo, and ABC. It has a fully equipped kitchen and a gas grill on the back deck. You’re sure to have some sweet dreams after a full day of activities sleeping on the custom-made memory foam mattresses, down comforters, and premium pillows the host has provided. If you have children there’s a nice playground in the park adjacent to the boat. You can arrange for time out on the water with a captain or a fishing or sight-seeing charter on one of the host’s other boats. Options include dolphin tours, shark’s teeth digs, eco-tours, and sunset cruises. Book your stay at the yacht’s VRBO listing.
It’s possible you could be greeted by dolphins one day during your stay at one of these houseboats in Charleston. Even the dolphins love America’s favorite city!
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