Entire house boat

The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC

Choose dates to view prices

your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC

Miscellaneous
Interior
Property grounds
Bed sheets
Fridge, microwave, oven, coffee/tea maker

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire house boat

1 bathroomSleeps 3

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Nebo, NC
  • Lake James
    5 min walk
  • Lake James State Park
    18 min walk
  • Pisgah National Forest
    9 min drive
  • Hickory, NC (HKY-Hickory Regional)
    48 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.

The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC

The Mermaid Houseboats roam the waters of Lake James in NC, with beautiful views of the Blueridge Mountains and sandy beaches to pull ashore.
Amenities include:

Convenience kitchen (pump sink, coffee maker)
Propane grill
Sofa (double bed)
Table (booth seating folds into a single bed)
Capacity to sleep 2-3 adults or family
Large front deck for entertaining
Generator provides electric
AC (run by generator)
Bed linens provided
Marine toilet

*Born 1988 or later boating license required.

The space is ideal for spending a day or weekend on Lake James. With air conditioning, a propane grill, comfortable living areas that convert into beds, a kitchenette with dishes and utensils, bed linens, and a marine toilet on board - the Mermaid Boat is set up to be a ton of fun. The boat comes fully equipped with:
- Linens (sheets, pillows, blankets, towels)
- Kitchen items (utensils, dishes, cookware, Keurig with k-cups, some spices, grill, paper goods, cleaning supplies)
- Trash bags, toilet paper, and paper towels are available on board
- Some goodies like cards, flash lights, books, and games are available as well

We will meet at Lake James Urgent Care located at1614 NC-126, Nebo, NC

The boat is not docked, boaters will be required to drive it or beach/anchor it, but there are several options for your overnight stay:

1. Reserve a boat-in campsite at Lake James State Park. You will have access to restroom facilities, a private campsite, and be able to have a fire or set up a tent.

2. Stay on a public beach - these are usually the best beaches on the lake with premiere mountain views. They’re also free, but they can get crowded and noisy on holidays and weekends during prime summer months. If full upon arrival, you can expect space to open up as boaters head home around sundown.

3. Tie up to the old state park dock (very low traffic) or anchor in a cove overnight.

There is a generator that runs the air conditioner and electricity. The kitchen consists of countertops, Keurig, toaster, cookware and dishware, and room to store a cooler with ice.

A $150 fee is taken up front (cleaning fee) for damage / gas. If the boat is returned with no damage and a full tank you will be refunded the $150.

Guests have access to full boat. They will not have access to the private dock where it is stored.

The owner is local and available to answer any questions and assist should you encounter any trouble on the water. He also owns an emergency boat towing service and is regularly out on the waters assisting boaters.

Lake James is one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this man-made lake offers beautiful waters, great fishing, beaches for playing, and beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

Lake James State Park has many boat-in camping sites that offer great amenities if you are staying overnight. You will have access to a restroom and showers as well as beaches to play on if you book these sites (usually about $10/night).

The houseboat feels more like a camping experience than a full-service hotel. There will be access to a grill, but no stove, oven, microwave, or refrigerator. Guests should plan to bring a cooler and plan food accordingly. There are no showers on the boat and only a pump sink with freshwater and marine toilet. We advise guests use the toilet sparingly, as it has limited flushes, and use public restrooms as much as possible. We recommend guests reserve a boat-in campsite for stays longer than 2 days. It is required by NC law that all guests under 13 wear a life vest while the boat is in motion.

Must be 21 or older, show a valid driver's license, and have a valid boating license if you were born in 1988 or later. Search for NC Boating License online course, complete it online, and print and bring license with you (Approximately $30).
During your stay at this houseboat, you're just a quick walk from Lake James.
  • Just a 5-minute walk from Lake James and a 2-minute drive from Lake James State Park
This houseboat offers its guests barbecue grills. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Nebo houseboat is smoke free.

Property manager

John Hamel

Languages

English, French

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster
  • Spices

Bedrooms

  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Toilet paper

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue
  • Dock

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront
  • In the mountains

Safety features

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

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 12:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
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 is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
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

130339

The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Annie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Birthday Boat Trip
The boat and overnight stay provided an amazing, unique experience to celebrate a friends birthday. The weather was perfect, and the accommodations on the boat covered everything we needed. Full moon on the water was magical. Communication, check in, and check out was thorough and on time.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

John C., Wake Forest, NC

Liked: Cleanliness
The Narai
We had a ball. Boat is exactly as advertised. Lake and views are extraordinary.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Glenn M.

Liked: Cleanliness
One of a Kind!
My wife and I had an amazing weekend on the boat! It was the most unique and relaxing getaway we have had in a long time. The boat was very clean and very well appointed! Will definitely be back for another weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Molly A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Better than we could have imagined!
Everything was PERFECT. Loved this experience and will definitely be back. John was THE BEST!!!!!!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022