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9 Incredible Destinations for Houseboat Rentals in the U.S.

These houseboat rentals will make you rethink your typical summer vacation.

Sure, you could rent a lakeside cabin or a beach house again for your next vacation. But why not bring those watery vistas full circle by renting a houseboat in a spectacular U.S. location instead?

A houseboat may not first come to mind as your typical vacation rental . But you'll find them listed on websites like Airbnb and VRBO as well as niche sites like Houseboating.org, to name a few, with onboard amenities that range from kayaks and bicycles to waterslides twisting down from the top deck.

There's a lot to love about renting a floating home for a night or longer, with everything you need onboard to cook for yourself (BYO groceries) and sleep comfortably—whether you leave the dock or not. And houseboats often rent for far less than land-based homes in popular vacation destinations like Florida, California, and Minnesota.

But before you book a houseboat, there are a few things to consider.

When a houseboat rental says it sleeps a certain number of people, that doesn't necessarily mean everyone gets a cabin. Dinettes onboard usually convert to a bed, so a houseboat's common space and galley is fair game for sleeping quarters, too.

If your houseboat doesn't come with smaller watercraft onboard—like SUPs and kayaks—you might want to consider renting them, so you can paddle off to explore tight waterways or just get in some exercise during your trip.

If you have a valid unrestricted driver's license, you can rent and captain a houseboat—there's no particular boating license needed to take the helm. The location you rent from will most likely walk you through the basics onboard and take you for a test spin, too, so you can be sure you feel comfortable operating the houseboat. Then it's off cruising you go.

Houseboat rentals are extremely popular around the U.S. during the summer months, so be sure to book with as much advance notice as possible. Read on for some of the best places for a houseboat vacation across the U.S.

Sutton Lake, West Virginia

Sutton Lake has 40 miles of shoreline to explore and clear waters to swim in backed by forested hills, with hundreds of coves to moor in for a night under the inky skies of central West Virginia. There are no commercial developments or homes on the lake, and it's surrounded by public lands home to white-tailed deer, turkeys, and ruffed grouse (there are even rumors that a Bigfoot-type creature roams these forests, so keep an eye out). Sutton Lake Marina has three 59-foot deluxe houseboats for rent, each with an upper deck with a waterslide, a gas grill, and four queen beds to sleep eight people.

Wolf River, Wisconsin

The Great Lakes —and hundreds of other interior lakes—tend to take the watery spotlight in the natural playground that is Wisconsin, where escaping to a lakefront cabin for the glorious summer months is most definitely a thing. But you might want to pass on a cabin in favor of a house boating vacation along the Wolf River near Fremont, Wisconsin, where you can cruise into surrounding lakes like Lake Poygan and Lake Winnebago near Oshkosh and pretty little Partridge Lake, just upstream. Anchor Point Marina rents no-frills houseboats that can sleep up to 10 people.

St. Johns River, Florida

Central Florida's St. Johns River—which, along with the Nile, is among the very few rivers in the world that run north—is a spectacular waterway for renting a houseboat and exploring (do watch out for alligators on the river banks, however). Make sure you make it to Silver Glen Springs, as far north as most rental companies allow their boats to go, where the water turns turquoise blue and crystal clear for swimming. Among the houseboats for rent at Holly Bluff Marina in Deland is the 60-foot-long Silver Glen , which sleeps ten people and has spacious interior lounges as well as a rooftop deck for soaking up the Sunshine State's abundant vitamin D.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Newly designated among the nation's Dark Sky Parks , Northern Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park is a place of exceptional natural beauty—pristine waters, towering pines, and a world-class house boating experience are yours to enjoy here. Near the Canadian Border and the Boundary Waters, the park sprawls across five natural lakes, without a single road running through it. Rent a houseboat with an outfitter like Ebel's Voyageur Houseboats and you can spend your days fishing, picking wild berries, and dipping in the pristine waters. Some of the houseboat models for rent have screened-in porches and decks on all sides, so you can maximize your views of the epic wilderness around you.

Table Rock Lake, Missouri

House boating on Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri can be whatever you want it to be—whether that's restaurant and bar hopping at waterfront locales between dips in the lake, or escaping to more remote reaches of this Ozarks reservoir. Table Rock Lake Houseboat Rentals hires out some of the best houseboats in the Ozarks, including the seven-bedroom Carlyle , which sleeps 16 people and has a waterslide, six-person hot tub, and swimming platform at your disposal.

Erie Canal, New York

Stretching some 365 miles from Albany, NY to Buffalo, NY and Lake Eerie, the Erie Canal is lined with 19th-century canal towns and modern boat marinas that beg you to set out on a boating adventure. Designed to move in and out of locks and marinas, canal boats (a heartier riff on a houseboat) are available to rent at Erie Macedon Landing —they're the perfect craft for cruising through landscapes where you can visit the wineries of the Finger Lakes region and shop for Amish quilts in villages said to have inspired Norman Rockwell with their quaint beauty.

Everglades National Park, Florida

More than one million visitors find their way to Everglades National Park in Florida every year. But it's safe to say that few of them realize they could venture even deeper into the park's vast wilderness than its trails allow by renting a houseboat from Flamingo Adventures , located deep inside the park at Flamingo Marina. Cruise aboard the 42-foot houseboat , designed to sleep six people, into Whitewater Bay. Manatees and dolphins are commonly seen here, and fishing for species like tarpon, redfish, and speckled trout is considered world-class.

Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon

This Central Oregon reservoir spills its beauty into several river canyons and has 72 miles of shoreline. The lake brims with several species of trout and bass and is surrounded by mostly public lands, lending a pristine appeal. You can rent houseboats that sleep between six and 14 people with Lake Billy Chinook Houseboats and spend a few nights—or longer—exploring. The sight of basalt spires towering overhead, soaring eagles, and color-shifting canyon walls are par for the course views in these parts.

Shasta Lake, California

Less than an hour south of Mt. Shasta in Northern California, Shasta Lake is a favorite California house boating haunt where you can rent a boat like The Empress and motor out to explore the largest manmade lake in the state. Carpeted with tall evergreen trees, the lake's shoreline is mostly steep and mountainous, with many coves and waterfalls to explore when you're not hiking a wilderness trail ashore or tossing out a line to snag one of the lake's prized catches, including king salmon and rainbow trout that go great on your onboard grill.

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7 Unique Houseboat Stay Options Around The World

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Time to switch up the same old vacation apartment rentals. When you want to venture out of your comfort zone and try something unique and exciting, consider renting a houseboat. Put a spin on your next vacation destination by literally staying on the water. Major cities were built on powerful waterways and you will find tons of overnight boat rental options close enough to explore on and have a private, front-row seat as the sun sets. Alternatively, you can rent a houseboat on a tranquil lake or quiet harbor where you can while away a few days, unplug, and unwind.

Highlighted below are seven cool, on-the-water rental options around the globe. When choosing a rental, be sure to check the reviews, consider premier hosts, and select a location near your preferred sightseeing must-dos. The listings below are in no particular order.

1. Victoriakai-Ufer, Hamburg, Germany

The pretty port city of Hamburg sits along the Elbe River. A bustling and working port, there is tons of big-ship and small-boat action in and out of the port.

The Victoriakai-Ufer , a luxury houseboat, has two bedrooms and sleeps six of your closest friends. A serious party city, you can dance all night then nap the day away as the river gently rocks your houseboat dreams. Alternatively, there are museums, galleries, and exceptional foodie-focused restaurants to keep you busy all day, allowing you to enjoy the skydeck with your favorite beverage as the sun sets.

2. The Starry Banner, Manteo, North Carolina

Historic Manteo and Roanoke Island are home to a super fancy “house boat,” The Starry Banner . This classic, restored Tiffany yacht can be your next East Coast dream vacation destination. The yacht sleeps two and is perfect for a romantic escape.

The Outer Banks will be your playground for this unique stay. Tasty local seafood is king in this coastal destination. Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial for some early flight history. Play along the white sandy beaches before returning to your private yacht getaway.

3. 1000 Islands, Gananoque, Ontario

You don’t have to stay in one spot during your houseboat rental vacation. You can sail around the stunning 1000 Islands region on a floating waterfront cottage. Houseboat Holidays provides everything you need including pre-planned sailing routes that highlight all the stops to make your on-the-water getaway everything your heart desires.

Island hop across over 1,800 islands dotting the St. Lawrence River. The 1000 Islands region stretches between the U.S. and Canada, offering boaters and road trippers stunning natural scenery.

Pro Tip: Your rental comes with a National Parks Pass which allows you docking access to 23 different national parks in this beautiful 1000 Islands area.

4. Whangaroa Harbour, Whangaroa, New Zealand

Sailing away on your own houseboat in a new destination is an exciting adventure for the intrepid traveler. If you have some boating chops, Whangaroa Harbour Adventures rents accommodations for you to sail your cabin on the water out of port. Beginning in Whangaroa Harbour, your boat sleeps six and can take you on a Kiwi adventure of a lifetime.

5. 85-Foot Super Yacht, Ketchikan, Alaska

Not your traditional houseboat, this 85-Foot Super Yacht is a dreamy getaway stay. Six guests can enjoy a weekend on the yacht anchored in Ketchikan. Alternatively, you can hire its captain and crew and enjoy living like the rich and famous. Sail the Alaska coastline in search of the perfect catch, birdwatch for bald eagles, or scan the water for a humpback whale sighting.

The panoramic views from your private Alaska super yacht will make picture-perfect memories.

6. La Vie En Rose, Saone River, France

No work necessary with this rental; just sit back and enjoy fun houseboating times on the Saone River. Book the La Vie en Rose , a half-board barge cruise that sleeps six with a four-person crew at your service.

Explore the beautiful Burgundy Region while your floating hotel follows you to enjoy every stop along the way. Visit historic wineries like the Château de Garnerot where you can taste exquisite vintages. Take a bottle and some local cheese back to your boat for a quiet evening under the stars.

7. ECO BOAT HOUSE – CASA FLUTUANTE, Abraão, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Rustic but beautiful, the Eco Boat House – Casa Flutuante , is an Ilha Grande Bay oasis. Small, with room for only two, this houseboat has a private deck perfect for stargazing and soaking up the Brazilian sunshine. Slip off to the nearby beach or simply relax on your deck. This little gem is a dreamer’s paradise.

Floating Home Getaways

Houseboats are a wonderfully quirky way to enjoy a destination. Whether you are looking for a docked stay where you can explore a city or you are seeking an overnight, on-the-water adventure, there are many houseboat options for your next vacation getaway.

Sandi loves writing about culture, cuisine, adult beverages, cruising, golf, skiing, road trips, hiking, New England, and photography. Traveling solo, with hubby Chris, or the entire Barrett clan there is always a story waiting to be told.

Essential Guide to Hiring a Houseboat in Kerala

Hiring a traditional thatched Kerala houseboat and exploring the backwaters is one of the top things to do in Kerala . However, there are a few important things you should know in order to go about it the right way and make the best decision.

Where to Hire a Houseboat

The majority of houseboats are hired from Alleppey, the gateway to the backwaters in between Kochi and Kollam. It's located about two hours south of Kochi . Most houseboat operators and around 1,000 houseboats are based there. From Alleppey, you'll be taken on an adventure through the various backwaters to places such as Kumarakom, Kottayam, and Alumkadavu (near Kollam). There's a wide range of destinations to choose from to suit all travel plans. Houseboats will usually slowly travel a distance of around 40-50 kilometers (25-30 miles) through the backwaters each day, so you'll get to see lots of different scenery.​

Many resorts and luxury hotels have their own houseboats as well. They offer sunset cruises and overnight trips. Other hotels and homestays will be able to readily arrange a houseboat for you. That way, you can combine staying along the backwaters with a houseboat ride.

Take a look at relaxing Kumarakom hotels and resorts and top homestays in Alleppey on the Kerala Backwaters for inspiration.

Depending on your itinerary and the time of year, it may be a good idea to hire a houseboat somewhere else than Alleppey to avoid the increasing overcrowding of boats there. Otherwise, you're likely to find yourself surrounded by dozens of boats on standard routes during peak season, and possibly encounter rowdy domestic tourists who delight in playing loud music and getting drunk. Recommended alternative starting points are Kottayam, Kollam, Kasargod in northern Kerala, and Kozhikode (Calicut).

Kollam has grown in popularity as a backwater destination but it's yet to become touristy. Ashtamudi Lake is the focal point of houseboat trips in the Kollam area, with mangroves and migratory birds. Monroe Island is one of 15 islands on the lake, and it attracts tourists who want an authentic experience of local life away from the crowds. Routes cover the islands and pass through relatively unexplored waterways. You'll get to see plantations, Chinese fishing nets, rustic villages, a heritage palace, and diverse places of worship.

The unspoiled Kozhikode backwaters are situated near Kappad beach and Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, about five hours north of Kochi. This historically important area is where Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed in the 15th century. Houseboat trip routes include Canolly Canal, Kallai River, and Ellathur village.

Houseboat tourism is still in its infancy in northern Kerala's Karasagod district, meaning idyllic and undisturbed waterways.

For the sake of convenience, some people might want to hire a houseboat in Kochi. It's possible but it won't offer the same experience as from Alleppey. You can do a backwater day trip from Kochi instead of staying overnight, or go out in a canoe or kayak. The boats leave from the main wharf area in Fort Kochi. Kochi-based Salmon Tours specializes in village backwater day tours in country boats, houseboats, and speedboats.

Alternatively, Breeze Backwater Homes is located on the backwaters between Kochi and Alleppey (about 40 minutes from Fort Kochi). This serene homestay with eco-friendly cottages offers reasonably priced overnight backwater trips in quality non-motorized houseboats.

How Long Are Houseboats Hired for?

You can hire a houseboat for as little as three hours or as long as a week! It's really up to you. However, you're interested in seeing a lot of the small canals, a three-hour trip may not be long enough. Day trips run from around midday until 6 p.m. Most people go for overnight hire, which includes a serene sleep out in the middle of nowhere, in a lake or other similarly peaceful spot. The houseboats then return by 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. the next day. Two-night houseboat hire is also popular. However, it can become boring for any length of time longer than this. 48 hours on a houseboat is definitely long enough to take in all the sights and re-charge your batteries. Such a trip will cover many of the top canals, interior villages, and remote peaceful waterways. Do note that the boats must be moored after sunset, to prevent disturbance to fishing activity.

What's the Best Route to Take?

Most people depart from Alleppey and do a round trip through the core backwater area. However, it's also possible to do one-way trips, such as from Alleppey to Kottayam (useful if you're going to or from Munnar or Periyar in Thekkady), and Alleppery to Kochi. Some of the best routes include:

• Alleppey-Kuttanad -- renowned for its paddy fields, it has an extensive network of narrow backwaters and is an excellent destination for experiencing village life around Thottappally, Nudmudy and Thakazhi. The Kuttanad district is referred to as the "rice bowl of Kerala" and farming is intriguingly done below sea leave in this area.
• Alleppey-Kumarakom -- many luxury resorts are located on the banks of Vembanad Lake in this area. It's also renowned for the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Pathiramanal Island. The canals are much wider and you'll cross the large expanse of the lake, plus sprawling reclaimed farming areas such as C Block, R Block, and H Block.
• Alleppey-Kollam -- this is a particularly long cruise, and is either a one-way day trip or overnight return. The route is really scenic with many narrow canals, farm fields, and secluded villages. It goes past Amritapuri Ashram of Amma the "Hugging Mother", and Alumkadavu where the houseboats are made.
• Payyanur and Kottapuram near Nileshwar in Karasagod district -- this route covers Valiyaparamba Island and the Kavvayi backwaters. Oyster Opera theme village , dedicated to oyster farming, lies along it.

See photos of Kerala's backwater attractions .

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Houseboat?

The cost of houseboat hire greatly depends on the size and quality of the boat, and the time of year (prices triple from late December to early January). Boats range from basic to ultra luxurious, with one to 10 bedrooms. Most boats have living rooms, dining rooms, modern amenities, air-conditioning, and attached bathrooms. Some have rooftop sun decks, spas and even swimming pools! A benefit of having an upper deck lounge area is that you'll be able to relax and enjoy the view in privacy away from the staff. Do keep in mind that boats with more than two bedrooms will be too big to cruise the narrow waterways though.

The minimum rate for overnight hire is around 5,000 rupees ($70) without air-conditioning. Most people pay around 10,000 rupees ($140) upwards to hire a deluxe air-conditioned houseboat for two. Rates easily go up to 18,000 rupees ($255) or more for a luxury houseboat. Large family sized houseboats, with multiple bedrooms and living rooms, are also available for hire. Prices start from around 20,000 rupees ($280) for one of these, for an overnight trip. The cost should include freshly cooked food, made by an onboard cook, and non-alcoholic drinks. 

When Is the Best Time to Hire a Houseboat?

Peak season is from December to the end of January when the weather is cooler and dry, but it's possible to hire a houseboat all year round. Some people find that the monsoon season has special appeal and choose to combine their houseboat hire with an Ayurvedic treatment. Attractive monsoon discounts are offered as well. March to May gets very hot and humid, so if you hire a houseboat during this time, an air-conditioned one is definitely recommended.

Keep in mind that peak season does get busy. Don't be surprised to find the canals congested with houseboats!

What Are Some Reputable Kerala Houseboat Operators?

Unfortunately, the boom in backwater tourism and associated proliferation in houseboats is having a negative impact on the environment in Kerala. In particular, poor waste management practices are noticeably polluting the waterways around Alleppey and Kumarakom. In order to address this, the Kerala government has introduced a new houseboat classification system with Silver, Gold and Diamond ratings (to replace the older Silver Star, Gold Star and Green Palm categories). The ratings are based on factors including responsible waste management, disability-friendly features, use of eco-friendly materials, codes of conduct for guests and staff, quality of furnishings and fixtures, use of LED lamps, bio-gas stoves, smoke alarms, and first-aid kits.

There are so many houseboats for hire at Alleppey that it's not necessary to book in advance, apart from during the peak season. Instead head down to the jetty in the early morning (before 9 a.m.), inspect the boats there, and negotiate the best price. Then go back to your hotel, pack your belongings, and when you return to the boat it will be ready to depart.

During peak season, the availability of quality boats drops dramatically, and prices get hiked. As prices aren't properly regulated, they can fluctuate widely. To get an idea of prices and what's on offer (and also to book in advance if you wish), reputable companies that have a range of houseboats for hire include CGH Earth's luxury Spice Coast Cruises , Lakes and Lagoons , River and Country Cruises , and Ayana's Houseboats, Evergreen Tours , Angel Queen Houseboats , Eco Houseboats (owner Johnson also has a popular homestay in Alleppey).

For a luxurious boutique experience, try Xandari River Escapes .

Alternatives to Hiring a Houseboat

Budget or solo travelers may find it prohibitively expensive to hire a houseboat. There's no need to be disappointed though! There are other enjoyable ways of experiencing the backwaters. You can stay along the canals and watch the houseboats pass by, catch the public ferry along the backwaters and chat to the locals, or go on a canoe or motor boat trip down the small canals. Find out more in this guide to visiting the Kerala backwaters.

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Kerala videos, kerala photos, cruise through kerala in a houseboat.

Have you ever gone cruising in a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala? If you haven't, make sure you do. This is easily one amongst the most remarkable and unique experiences that our state has to offer.

Present day houseboats are huge, slow moving exotic barges used for leisure trips, and are in fact a reworked version of the Kettuvallams of olden times. The original Kettuvallams were used to carry tons of rice and spices. A standard Kettuvallam can hold up to 30 tons of goods from Kuttanad to the Kochi port.

In Malayalam language Kettu refers to ‘dwelling structures’ ‘Vallam’ means boat. These are boats with a thatched roof cover over wooden hulls. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a Kettuvallam can last for generations.

A portion of the Kettuvallam was covered with bamboo and coir to serve as a restroom and kitchen for the crew. Meals were cooked onboard and supplemented with freshly cooked fish from the backwaters.

When  modern trucks replaced this system of transport, people came up with a new way that would keep these boats, almost all of which were more than 100 years old, in the market. By constructing special rooms to accommodate travellers, these boats cruised forward from near-extinction to enjoy their present  popularity.

Today these are a familiar sight on the backwaters and in Alappuzha alone, there are as many as 500 houseboats.

While converting kettuvallams into houseboats, care is taken to use only natural products. Bamboo mats, sticks and wood of the areca nut tree are used for roofing, coir mats and wooden planks for the flooring and wood of coconut trees and coir for beds. Nowadays, Solar panels are preferred for lighting.

Today, the houseboats boast of the same comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Parts of the curved roof of wood or plaited palm leaves open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. While most boats are poled by local oarsmen, some are powered by a 40 HP engine. Boat-trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together are also used by large groups of sightseers.

What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers, while you float in a relaxed way right through it.

Houseboats:

House boats are available at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Allappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kasaragod. Please contact DTPCs for more info.

DTPC House boat Pre-paid Counter

For booking houseboats, travelers can make use of the House Boat Pre-paid Counter 'Trusted Service, Trusted Rates' managed by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).

Contact details

Alappuzha - House boat pre-paid counter Mobile: +91 9400051796, +91 9447483308 Tel: +91 477 2251796, +91 477 2253308.

Tourist can make advance booking by transferring INR 2500/- to the account of the DTPC and send email to [email protected] .

The account number of DTPC is A/c 10150100253203, Federal Bank, Mullackal Branch, Alappuzha. Bank code is FDRL 0001015.

Gallery Backwaters of Kerala

Video gallery of backwaters of Kerala. Houseboat Cruise or boat trips across the tranquil backwaters…

Picture gallery from Kerala Tourism on the Backwater stretches of Kerala.

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9 Charming Houseboats in the U.S. to Rent for Your Next Summer Getaway

Planning your next trip is smooth sailing with these floating getaways on airbnb and vrbo..

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This gorgeous blue houseboat is docked in Jamaica Bay, New York.

Courtesy of Airbnb

One of the best ways to beat the heat in the summer is heading to the water—whether that means an ocean, lake, river, or canal. But why rent a house near the water when you can actually stay on the water? There are all sorts of floating accommodations across the United States. Some are permanently docked in marina neighborhoods, like those in Seattle and Sausalito. Other cruise freely in popular houseboating destinations like Lake Powell, Lake Mead, and Lake Havasu. You’ll find houseboats floating in places you may not expect, such as a private lake in Virginia or a glampsite on the Mississippi River.

In most of the better-known houseboat destinations, local companies rent out fleets of multiperson boats. But some of the best we’ve seen are these quirky, charming vessels listed on Airbnb and Vrbo. Here are 9 charming houseboat rentals to book for your next summer getaway.

Drink in the view from this designer houseboat in Seattle.

Courtesy of Vrbo

1. “Sleepless in Seattle” houseboat dream

• Book Now: From $1,000 per night, vrbo.com
• Seattle, Washington

It’s hard to believe that this designer home floats. Indeed, the three-bedroom, three-bath space looks more like a house than a boat from the outside. But you can swim off the back deck or moor your dinghy as you could on any houseboat. With huge windows throughout the place, a dining room that converts into a dance floor or yoga studio, a hot tub, and all the water toys imaginable, the three-day minimum stay might not be long enough.

The red Tessie Ann is moored in Robinhood Cove in Maine.

2. Unique, romantic, motorless floating island

• Book Now: From $230 per night, vrbo.com
• Georgetown, Maine

Moored in Robinhood Cove, the Tessie Ann is exactly the kind of New England maritime experience you may have dreamed of. Onshore, the town is full of saltbox houses in shades of weathered blue and gray. The brick red Tessie Ann’s single bedroom is located in the bow of the boat and has windows on five of the six sides. The dinette area converts into a sleeping area if you’re bringing more than two people. There’s also a bathroom and small, fully equipped galley—or kitchen—and a barbecue on deck, as well as a 15-foot skiff so you can get to and from shore.

Cruise around Lake Shasta in this 20-foot houseboat.

3. Shasta Marina’s Sumerset houseboat

• Book Now: From $845 per night, vrbo.com
• Lakehead, California

Lake Shasta is one of the most popular places in the country for houseboat vacations and here, it’s all about the party. The massive Sumerset is the perfect place for a family vacation or reunion, sleeping up to 20 people with six bedrooms, a convertible dining area, and two convertible sofa beds. The common area makes efficient use of space with a booth-style dining table that has a countertop on either side. But if you’re staying on a houseboat, you want to be outside. The Sumerset’s full-length top deck has four seating areas, including a large wet bar, a barbecue, a hot tub, and, yes, a slide. It’s also one of the few boats on this list that you can drive out of the marina and cruise around on.

The Ziggy Stardust surf house in Rockaway Beach features two indoor hammocks.

4. Ziggy Stardust surf house

• Book Now: From $1,500 per night, airbnb.com
• Queens, New York

Possibly the most striking houseboat on this list is the navy blue one docked in the Jamaica Bay area of Rockaway Beach (also pictured at top). The two-story stunner has been a labor of love for its owners, who have deftly mixed driftwood accents with white walls, bold textiles, contemporary design furniture, and pops of color everywhere. It sleeps 12 in four bedrooms and seven beds. Relax with a book in one of the twin indoor hammocks or kick back on the top deck. There are also picnic tables, benches, and other seating on an attached float.

You’ll fnd this tugboat accommodation on a private lake in Virginia.

5. Lux tugboat on private lake

• Book Now: From $395 per night, vrbo.com
• Charlottesville, Virginia

The interior of this red tugboat has all the elegance of a boutique inn, with exposed beam ceilings, old-fashioned lighting fixtures, and plenty of plush throw pillows. The main floor features a bedroom, bathroom, and fully equipped kitchen. The pilot house, or the upper level of the boat, is a cushioned sitting area surrounded by windows and perfect for reading or stargazing; it also converts into a bed. The boat is docked at the edge of a private lake inside a 142-acre forest, so there’s an outdoor area, a beach, and kayaks, which you can use to paddle to the lake’s island, and a firepit area crowned with twinkle lights.

Tap into your piratical side in South Carolina.

6. A pirate’s life for me

• Book Now: From $208 per night, airbnb.com
• Charleston, South Carolina

This lovely little houseboat with a vaulted ceiling in the main cabin has been completely rebuilt using reclaimed materials. With one bedroom and a daybed in the living room, a kitchen, and a full-size bathroom, it packs a lot into a small space without feeling too cozy. The marina is about two miles from the heart of the historic district and there are plenty of closer restaurants too. But you’ll want to make time to sit on the deck and watch for dolphins—they visit often.

The SS City of Seattle first set sail in 1888 and is currently docked in Sausalito, California.

7. Historic ferryboat in Sausalito

• Book Now: From $411 per night, airbnb.com
• Sausalito, California

Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Sausalito is well known for its houseboat communities. But the SS City of Seattle isn’t just any houseboat in the marina; the bright yellow ferryboat from 1888 is the oldest surviving ferryboat on the West Coast. It features three bedrooms and two baths, as well as dining and lounge areas with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a remodeled kitchen with a Wolf six-burner range stove. There are also three kayaks and three paddleboards to use to explore the quiet marina.

Glamp on the Mississippi River.

9. Harbor Breeze: floating glamping tent at Glamping St. Louis

• Book Now: From $153 per night, vrbo.com
• Grafton, Illinois

Can’t decide between glamping and a houseboat vacation? You don’t have to with this floating glamping tent on the Mississippi River. The canvas tent features a king-size bed. Camp cots for kids are also available on request. There’s a deck and umbrella, as well as a mini refrigerator and coffee maker. It’s even air-conditioned in the summer. Guests have access to the facilities at the marina (which is more of a glampground), which include bathrooms, showers, and an outdoor kitchen area. This article was originally published in 2020; it was updated on February 19, 2021, with current information.

>>Next: 13 Isolated Airbnb Cabins Where You Can Escape From the World

• Lake Powell Resort
• Lake Powell Marinas
• Wilderness River Adventures

• The Lake Powell Experience
• Park History
• Points of Interest - North Lake Powell
• Points of Interest - South Lake Powell
• Area Information
• Marina Information
• Seasons at Lake Powell
• Current Weather
• Getting Here
• Green Travel Tips
• Birding at Lake Powell
• Houseboating Experience
• 75-ft Excursion Houseboat
• 62-ft Journey Houseboat
• 54-ft Escape Houseboat
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• Houseboat Comparison Tool
• Wahweap Marina Houseboat Rentals - AZ
• Bullfrog Marina Houseboat Rentals - UT
• Houseboat Meals
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• Houseboat Pre-Board Service
• Lake Powell Lodging Experience
• Defiance House Lodge
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• Rainbow Room
• Driftwood Lounge
• Latitude 37
• Anasazi Restaurant
• Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise
• Wahweap Pizza Co.
• Lake Powell Marinas Experience
• Marina Services
• Powerboat Safety
• Water Toy Rentals
• Antelope Canyon
• Navajo Canyon Boat Tour
• Scenic Dam Cruise
• North Lake Private Boat Tour
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• Rainbow Bridge
• Canyon Princess Charcuterie Cruise
• RV & Camping Experience
• Wahweap RV & Campground
• Bullfrog RV & Campground
• Halls Crossing RV & Campground
• Sample Itineraries
• Horseshoe Bend Rafting Trip
• Hiking North Lake Powell
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• Other Activities & Tours
• Upcoming Events
• Houseboat Specials
• Lodging Specials
• Member Programs
• Boat Tour Specials
• Photos & Videos
• Email Sign Up
• Retrieve Reservations
• Houseboating

Your Home, Away From It All

Imagine all the comforts of home—comfy beds, great living space, a fully appointed kitchen and a solid sound system—on your private houseboat, surrounded by Lake Powell’s breathtaking scenery. One of the best things about houseboating is that even a first-time boater can learn how to pilot a houseboat after just a short lesson, taught by our expert staff. Once you’re underway, you’ll be off and exploring one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the country—home to 96 major side canyons and nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline.

We Make it Easy

We provide everything you need to have the vacation of a lifetime.

Vacation Planning >

The Marinas

Two great locations; Wahweap Marina in Arizona and Bullfrog Marina in Utah.

Explore Bullfrog, UT (North Lake >

Explore Wahweap, AZ (South Lake) >

With a wide variety of houseboat models, we have something for everyone.

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Got the need for speed? We have just the thing.

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Photo Gallery | Maps | Points of Interest: North Lake , South Lake

• +91 9744 748 227
• [email protected]
• Kerala package
• Reservation

Book the perfect Houseboat Cruise at Alleppey your own budget KTDCS offer credible houseboat service at alleppey with taste food,awesome sightseeing, Customize your houseboat.

Online houseboat booking will help you easiest way to conform your houseboat package

Best deal at your own budget

Book the perfect houseboat cruise at Alleppey at your own budget Ktdcs offer credible houseboat service at Alleppey with taste food, awesome sight seeing customaries your rental houseboat. Online Houseboat booking facility will help you at easiest and confirm your plan at your expectation.

Houseboat trip can be dividing by three.

• DAY CRUISE & NIGHT STAY IN HOUSEBOAT
• Day Cruise in the houseboat
• Night stay in the houseboat

A backwater cruise on a houseboat allows you to see the scenic man made islands and beautiful sights of coconut fringed backwaters and paddy fields. Thehouseboats are luxuriously equipped with all of the modern amenities you would need. There are single-bedroom & even four to five-bedroom houseboats available, with living rooms, bathrooms, an equipped kitchenette & air-conditioning too. A well trained crew of a cook and a bearer along with two oarsmen will be at your service all through.

Day Cruise & Night Stay in Houseboat: - check in Time 11:30AM with welcome drink to crew houseboat cruising starts. 01:00Pm Lunch time (01 Hour Lunch Break) after again starts, 4.00PM Tea & Snacks, 05:30 Pm houseboat halting on the River side (after 05:30 you can enjoy by country boat ride, village walk, paddy field visit, fishing, Toddy Shop visiting) morning 8.00 AM houseboat again starts cruise through the backwaters check out Alleppey at 09:00 AM

Day Cruise in houseboat:- Day cruise is better for the family, groups, gettogether& those who don't like to stay in the houseboat Compared to overnight stay package it cost less. 11.00 AM check in the houseboat with welcome drink. 1:30 PM half hour Lunch Break then houseboat again starts 04:00 Pm Tea & Snacks check out Alleppey at 05:00 PM (Special food 12:00 PM get a Snacks (Kappa & Fish Curry*)

Night Stay in the houseboat:- check in Time is 06:00 PM with Tea & Snacks 30 minutes cruising through the backwater. Houseboat is halting at 06:30 Pm, 09:00 Pm dinner time. Morning 07:30 AM starts cruise through the backwaters & check out 9.00AM.

One Bedroom Deluxe Houseboat

Rates not fixed and if you get the package details send your tour date and details we will get back soon.

One Bedroom Premium Houseboat

Two Bedroom Deluxe Houseboat

Two Bedroom Premium Houseboat

Three Bedroom Houseboat

Honeymoon Houseboat

Flower decoration with Jasmine Rose Flowers. Candle light Dinner with Wedding cake.

Itinerary Cruise through punnamada Lake (venu) famous Nehru Trophy boat race ,Vembaanad Lake the largest fresh water lake in Kerala.R Block,Cblock,The islands in the middle of Vembanad lake,typical Kerala villages, paddy field,lush green shores.Night halting in the beautiful location of backwaters at 5.30 pm.Restart the cruise in the morning around 7.30am and after the breakfast check out the house around 9.00.00 am at Alleppey

Birthday / Gettogether / Conference Houseboat

Get more details please send your request

Summer Splash& Ayurveda HB 05 13,500*

• Day 1 :- Receive from Alleppey and stay at resort semi dlx A/c room with Ayurveda NjavaraKizhi Theraphy and nightstay at resort.
• Day 2 :- After breakfast proceeds to check in Houseboat cruise at alleppey backwater with taste foods, awesome sightseeing .
• Day 3 :- After B/fast Check out from houseboat at 9.00 am

Njavarakizhi

NjavaraKizhi is an unique contribution of kerala to Ayurveda.The "Shashtikathailam"extracted from the bran of the Njavara rice is used for curing neurological diseases and eye disorders.The body is forced to sweat extensively using Njavara and other herbal medicines.The treatment is considered ideal for Rheumatism,Jointpain,Bloodpressure,Paralysis,Badcholesterol,weak and underdeveloped limbs and for certain skin diseases.It also improves blood circulation,softens the skin and enhances the complexion.

• Welcome drink on arrival and B/fast next day in resort
• Free usage of Health Centre& Swimming Pool in resort.
• Houseboat with all menus and night A/c(9.00 pm to 6.00 am)
• Rates are applicable for 2 pax and subject to change

Monsoon Splash & Ayurveda - HB 06

• Day 1 :- Receive from Alleppey and transferred to resort semi deluxe A/c room with Ayurvedha Elakizhi theraphy stay at night in resort.
• Day 2 :-After breakfast proceeds to check in Houseboat cruise at alleppey backwater with taste foods, awesome sightseeing.
• Day 3 :- After B/fast Check outfrom houseboat at 9.00 am

Elakizhi (Leafbundlemassage)

It is an innovative classical massage treatment with heated cloth bag filled with fried medicinal (herbal) leaves. The treatment is highly recommended for improving the strength of muscles, relieving body pain and healing ailments such as arthritis, cramps, stress and paralysis. Elakizhi gives a revived feeling after being undergone for definite course period.

Houseboat Facilities

• Fully furnished and air conditioned bedrooms
• Attached bathroom with modern amenities;
• Fully furnished living cum dining area which offers panoramic view of backwaters.
• Sunbath decks*
• Entertainments like TV, Music, and Fishing etc...
• Well trained and tourism experienced staffs.
• Well equipped kitchen with expert cook.
• On board safety equipment

Terms and Conditions Houseboat

• Check in time 11 :30 am, Check out at 09 :00 am (For overnight stay)
• Check in time 11:00 am, Check out at 5:00 pm (For day trips)
• Check in Time 06:00 pm, check out at 9:00 am (For Night stay)
• Three staff on the boat captain, Engine Driver, Cheff
• Fixed Menu in the houseboat, (need any changes tell us during the time of Booking)
• Air condition Switch on only in 9:00 to 6:00 (night)
• After 5:30 pm houseboat halting on the riverside.
• Cruise includes Lunch + Tea + Dinner and Breakfast - Menu Veg or Non-Veg
• Children 5-12 yrs without Extra Mattress -INR 750, with Extra Mattress - INR 1000
• 12years and aboveExtra Person with Extra mattress -INR 1500
• Special dishes can be arranged subject to availability against direct payment.
• From December 15th to January 30th -25%
• 50% Advance should be paid for confirmation and balance to be paid prior to check in.
• Management is not responsible for late arrival & earlier departure.

Payment modes:-

• You can directly deposit money into our Bank Accounts and send us a mail to [email protected] and we will process your request immediately.
• Online payment in our website page.
• Money transfers through Western Union/UAE Exchange for immediate bookings. If you have not found the information you are looking for, please send to us [email protected].

Note:- 50% of the Package plan amount should be send to us on conformation of booking request. If any cancelation 20% will applicable as cancelation with package cost.

welcome drinks

• Tender coconut
• Fruit juice.

Vegetable Thoran

Chicken Roast

• Sambar,Chutney

Dosa or Idly

Puttu with chana Masala

• Air conditioner in the Room will be work only from 9pm to 6am
• Check in time 11.30 AM - Check out time 9.00 A.M

50% of the Package plan amount should be send to us on conformation of booking request. If any cancelation 20% will applicable as cancelation with package cost.

Find and book unique accommodations on Airbnb

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Have questions?

Where are the best places to find houseboats.

The best places to find houseboats depends on the experience you’re after, but some of the most-loved destinations for houseboats are Portland, New York City, and Seattle. If you’re looking for specific types of stays and are flexible on where to go, browse Airbnb Categories to explore all the possibilities.

Are houseboats pet-friendly?

We know that bringing pets along makes the trip even more fun. Hosts set their own policy for pets—and there are many stays that welcome your best friend on Airbnb. To make sure your pet feels as comfortable as possible, some Hosts even offer pet-friendly amenities like treats, bedding, and outdoor play areas. Check the “Pets Allowed” box under House Rules to find a stay that works for you.

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Houseboat Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals: Integrating Local Community of Kumarakom

• Conference paper
• First Online: 13 July 2022
• Cite this conference paper

• P. T. Retheesh   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0412-5885 11 ,
• Narayan Kayarkatte   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3896-8311 12 &
• R. Sagar   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1778-9541 13  

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 495))

Included in the following conference series:

• International Conference on Business and Technology

1283 Accesses

The tourism business has the prospective to impart, directly or indirectly, most of the sustainable goals. The promotion of entrepreneurship and small businesses can play a momentous role in endowing less favored groups and poverty reduction goals. This can be achieved through the sustainable tourism development approach which would create a positive impact on the community’s livelihood enhancement. Literatures show that tourism is one of the powerful forces of global economic growth and presently provides for one in eleven jobs worldwide. Public/private collaboration and businesses are in-excludable part of tourism development because it has increased awareness about the role of tourism in the delivery as the biggest establishing service sector in the country. Kumarakom is one of the most protuberant tourist destinations in Kerala state, explicitly centered on Backwater Tourism. This is an exquisite tourism product that delivers a unique travel experience to the legatees. Houseboat Tourism Industry contributes substantially towards SGDP (State Gross Domestic Product) nearly 10% of the total productivity of the state. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the operations of Houseboat Tourism Industry in Kumarakom and its contribution towards the enhancement of the livelihood of the local community and their socio-economic development on par with sustainable development goals - Decent Work and Economic Growth. The paper assesses the role of education of the local community to get involved in the Houseboat Tourism business in Kumarakom to reap substantial benefits from this sound industry. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches with the support of extensive literature inputs. Questionnaire and field investigations are used as a major tool for data collection.

• Sustainable development goals
• Houseboat Tourism Industry
• Socio-economic development

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Authors and affiliations.

Department of Tourism, Kristu Jayanti College Autonomous, Bangalore, India

P. T. Retheesh

Management/Commerce, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India

Narayan Kayarkatte

Department of BBA, Koshy College of Management Studies, Bangalore, India

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Correspondence to P. T. Retheesh .

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Northern Cyprus Campus, R-141 , KKTC, Middle East Technical University, Kalkanli, Güzelyurt, Turkey

Bahaaeddin Alareeni

Col of Business & Finance, Building 41, Ahlia University, Manama, Bahrain

Allam Hamdan

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Retheesh, P.T., Kayarkatte, N., Sagar, R. (2023). Houseboat Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals: Integrating Local Community of Kumarakom. In: Alareeni, B., Hamdan, A. (eds) Explore Business, Technology Opportunities and Challenges ‎After the Covid-19 Pandemic. ICBT 2022. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 495. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08954-1_36

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You Haven’t Seen Blue Until You’ve Seen San Andres

The island, close to Nicaragua but part of Colombia, boasts waters in seven shades of the color. Counting them — from a boat, from a cay, from the shade of a coconut tree — is a meditative experience.

The attractions on San Andres include the tiny islands known as cays. Johnny Cay, which sits across the water from the more populated northern part of San Andres, looks like the dictionary entry for “deserted island.” Credit... Toh Gouttenoire for The New York Times

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By Shannon Sims

• March 11, 2024

On San Andres, a small Colombian island in an archipelago off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, counting the blues in the famous “Sea of Seven Colors” is on every visitor’s to-do list. It’s a midday activity done en route as you cruise among the cays, or keys, dotting San Andres’s eastern side: low-lying (mostly) uninhabited specks that aren’t much more than coral topped with palm trees and circled by sandbars.

From my bobbing perch, I counted six: a deep sapphire, a dusky azure, stripes of teal, turquoise and cerulean and, in the distance, a swath of brilliant cyan against the edge of a tiny, palm-fringed island.

“Do you see seven?” the boat’s captain asked.

When I told him my tally, he laughed. “Six?” he said. “That means you can still relax a little more.”

San Andres is not on the radar of many U.S. travelers, but in Latin America, and especially among Colombians, it is a coveted honeymoon destination or a long-weekend retreat — a spot in the middle of the ocean to disconnect from whatever weighed you down on the mainland.

Connecting with history

The archipelago of San Andres and Providencia is more than 400 miles north of the mainland of Colombia, and closer to 100 miles east of Nicaragua, but thanks to a historical wrinkle that is still being ironed out, it is part of Colombia.

Kent Francis James, 73, was the archipelago’s governor during the 1990s and advised the current local and national government on boundary issues with Nicaragua. But his passion, he said when I met him on San Andres, is helping tourists connect more deeply with the island’s history.

“We want you to come here not just to get your skin burned, but to bring home a better understanding of Caribbean history,” he said, as we sat on his home’s balcony and enjoyed the view of the water in the distance, framed by bougainvillea and palm trees.

Mr. James scanned the horizon and pointed out the shipwrecks that litter the island’s waters. “We were geographically on the route of the Spanish going up the coast with gold, so this is the place the pirates used to be on watch,” he explained, describing how voyagers often underestimated the shallow waters surrounding the islands’ many cays and ran aground — to the delight of pirates like the Welsh-born Sir Henry Morgan, who is believed to have used San Andres as a base of operations.

We were technically in Colombia, but Mr. James spoke in clipped English — his accent itself a nod to the island’s history.

Although it is believed that the Dutch and Christopher Columbus landed on the archipelago, it was the British who settled San Andres around 1630. English was the island’s first language, and still today it’s spoken by the native islanders.

Unlike most places in Latin America, San Andres has no record of Indigenous peoples on the island. It was seemingly uninhabited when the Europeans arrived. And that’s why when locals refer to “native” islanders, they are referring to the descendants of the original British settlers or, more frequently, the descendants of the once-enslaved Africans those settlers brought over.

This Afro-Caribbean ethnic group is called Raizal, a takeoff of the Spanish word for “roots.”

Posadas Nativas

Cleotilde Henry, 75, is one of the island’s Raizal leaders. Her family traces back to the African slave trade, she explained, as she set out crunchy slices of fried breadfruit and balls of sweet coconut on her dining room table. She didn’t make the treats just for me — she sets them out every day for the tourists who rent rooms in the upstairs of her home through the island’s posadas nativas , or native inns program.

“I was born in this house,” she said, pointing around the small living room to yellowed family portraits in wooden frames and crocheted table coverings. “So when I thought about what I could do to make money from tourism, the only thing I had was this house.”

Today Ms. Henry, who is also the president of the archipelago’s Posadas Nativas Association , rents 12 rooms, which can be found under the name “ Cli’s Place ” on travel-booking websites like Booking.com.

Across the archipelago, around 200 homes have been designated “posadas nativas,” offering an opportunity for tourists to stay with a local family — usually under the watchful eye of the matriarch — in their home, and to eat local, Raizal foods.

It’s the local solution to a universal challenge: how to retain the unique identity of a place when tourism starts booming. Less than 20 years ago, Raizal people accounted for 57 percent of the population of San Andres, but each year that number gets smaller, as Colombians from the mainland are lured to the blue waters of island life.

A bikini and a golf cart

Although the beaches of San Andres are not among the most beautiful in the world, the water a short distance offshore is, thanks to the sunken reefs, and so many visitors skip exploring the interior of the island in favor of getting wet.

Each cay differs from the next. Johnny Cay, which sits across the water from the more populated northern part of San Andres, looks like the dictionary entry for “deserted island”: a clump of palm trees ringed by white sand. Rocky Cay is not much more than its namesake rock, with a lean-to beach bar and a rusty shipwreck sticking out of the water beside it. You reach Haynes Cay by wading through waist-deep water, holding a wobbly rope connecting the cay to a no-frills restaurant built on a sandbar. A typical day vacationing in San Andres includes bopping among the cays, pausing to doze against their palm trees or swim in the water around them, and, along the way, counting blues.

Like the pirates of the past, today’s snorkelers and scuba divers are delighted by the sunken ships dotting the waters, as they get to explore the underwater ecosystems created by those wrecks. In 2000, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization established the massive Seaflower Biosphere Reserve , a vast protected marine area surrounding the islands.

“It’s like a mountain range under the water here, and that’s why we have deep spots but also these sandbars and cays,” explained Jorge Sanchez, 68, a former dive instructor on the island who invited me to his home one afternoon to view topological maps of the area’s ocean floor. Waving his hand across one map, he added, “The ocean species don’t know where the border is between Colombia and Nicaragua, so this is a great place to see all kinds of animals from different places.”

Even if you don’t enjoy the waves, San Andres is a gorgeous setting to enjoy the seven shades of blue from afar. And the not-too-steep hills and smooth-enough roads mean that the breeziest, most fun way to do that is by renting a mule (pronounced moo-LAY), a little golf cart, the typical way visitors get around the island.

I’d never driven a golf cart any significant distance, so when Ms. Henry suggested that I put on my bathing suit and take one around the island, I balked. But about an hour later, I was smiling like a fool, the ocean wind blowing back my hair as I chugged down the road ringing the coast at about 25 m.p.h., with motorcycles zipping around me. I cruised past the cays, hopping in the water when it called to me, making my way down to the island’s less populated southern end. I stopped for lunch at the Raizal restaurant Miss Janice Place for fried fish and coconut rice.

On the way back, I planned to swing by Mr. James’s house, to tell him about my day. Without a good cell signal on the island, the only way I could do this was by popping in, so I headed toward his place, until the chugs of my mule became less frequent, and I finally realized the engine had shut off. My trusty mule was sliding backward down the hill. I slammed on the brake, slowing the slide, but couldn’t get the engine to turn over again. Fortunately, some utility workers witnessed the scene, suppressed their laughter and came to my rescue. They improvised a solution and hauled the golf cart to the top of the hill using long wires. I told them I was visiting Mr. James, and one of the workers turned and shouted over a wall of bushes — “Mister Kent! We found an American!”

Grinning, Mr. James emerged from his property to greet me, and as I waved a thank you to my utility-worker heroes, he explained he wasn’t surprised to see me.

“Because a tourist can spend their days on the beach, and fill their stomach with our food and rum, and then go home and never return,” he said. “But once you start to talk to locals about our history, you will always want to come back.”

Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport has direct connections to Panama City, Panama, and multiple cities in Colombia, and from San Andres it’s possible to get a flight to the neighboring island of Providencia.

Once on the island, the best way to get around is either by taxi, easily found in downtown San Andres or arranged in advance, or by mule , which can be rented for around 200,000 Colombian pesos, or about $51, per day.

Staying at a posada nativa, or locally owned inn, is the maximum immersion experience on the island, and often will be the most affordable lodging option; expect to pay about 235,000 Colombian pesos a night with breakfast. Cli’s Place Posada Nativa , Posada Nativa Licy and Miss Trinie’s Posada Nativa are some of the most popular.

For a more upscale experience, Decameron operates many hotels on the island, including the Decameron Isleno at Spratt Bight beach, a centrally located, all-inclusive option for about one million Colombian pesos per night. Hotel Casablanca offers rooms with a view of Johnny Cay for about 1.1 million Colombian pesos per night. Short-term rental options are also available through Airbnb. Many are within condominium developments and have amenities like pools, doormen and gyms.

Niko’s Seafood is a midrange restaurant near the center of San Andres serving fresh-caught fish cooked for around 50,000 Colombian pesos.

La Regatta is perhaps the fanciest restaurant in San Andres, specializing in seafood like ceviche for 75,000 Colombian pesos a or grilled lobster with coconut rice (215,000 Colombian pesos) served on a patio over the water near central San Andres. Reservations required, request the patio.

Miss Janice Place on the southern end of San Andres in San Luis offers typical Raizal food for 40,000 Colombian pesos for mains accompanied by coconut rice and jars of natural fruit juice.

Namasté Beach Club San Andres is near Rocky Cay with chic lounge chairs and a menu ranging from beach snacks like empanadas (around 30,000 Colombian pesos) to proper dinner like fried local fish (50,000 Colombian pesos).

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

Italy :  Spend 36 hours in Florence , seeking out its lesser-known pockets.

Southern California :  Skip the freeways to explore the back roads between Los Angeles and Los Olivos , a 100-mile route that meanders through mountains, canyons and star-studded enclaves.

Mongolia : Some young people, searching for less curated travel experiences, are flocking to the open spaces of this East Asian nation .

Romania :  Timisoara  may be the most noteworthy city you’ve probably never heard of , offering just enough for visitors to fill two or three days.

India: A writer fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting Darjeeling, in the Himalayan foothills , taking in the tea gardens and riding a train through the hills.

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

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City Sightseeing Moscow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

• Hop-on or hop-off at any of Moscow’s main highlights
• Views of Moscow from an open-top, double-decker bus
• Learn about the city with recorded commentary
• Visit Red Square, Alexander Gardens, and more
• Bus pass inclusions: 48 or 72 hour bus pass + walking tour
• Boat pass inclusions: 60 minute boat trip + walking tour
• Bus & Boat pass inclusions: 48 hour bus pass + 60 minute boat trip + walking tour
• Vouchers valid for 12 months
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Location Name: The route begins at Red Square but you can board at any stop
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Red Route runs from 10:00am - 6:00pm, every 25 minutes. Duration - 60 minutes. First stop - Bolotnaya Square.
• Most travelers can participate
• Green Route runs from 10:00am - 6:00pm, every 60 minutes. Duration - 120 minutes. First stop - Bolotnaya Square.
• Orange Route (currently suspended) runs from 10:30am - 6:30pm, every 30 minutes. Duration - 140 minutes. First stop - Museum of Cosmonautics
• Walking tour runs daily at 10:45am. Duration - 2 hours 30 minutes. Meeting point - Next to monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
• Boat tour operates 5th May - 20th October, from 11:30am - 6:30pm. Duration - 60 minutes. Meeting point - Zaryadye Park Pier.
• Mobile and paper vouchers are accepted for this tour.
• Vouchers can be redeemed at any of the stops along the routes.
• Vouchers are valid for 12 months
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• DebbJ 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to get oriented to Moscow We started our Moscow experience with the hop on hop off. It was a great way to get orientated to the city. The additional optional tours were also good, we did the Metro tour which I highly recommend, we also paid for the Kremlin tour. The hop on hop off has three different lines all included. Only fault was the bus was sometimes full and you had to wait for the next one which was about 15 minutes (in the cold). Read more Written January 6, 2020
• UmaDelhi 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 2 days are required Very very good audio guides- the voice quality was also good and also the anecdotes of history were brilliant. Russia is truly beautiful Read more Written September 1, 2019
• BeverleyT 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Boat trip - TERRIBLE We got on the bus, but couldn’t buy a 1 day ticket. They suggested we do the 1 hour boat trip and said they would drop us to the dock. 1) they dropped us in the wrong place 2) they were lost because of the marathon Then the boat, after we finally found it: 1) stinking fumes, actually gagging 2) no commentary, in fact, no interaction unless you begged 3) offered us 2 for 1 icecreams as they had melted and refrozen as the fridge gets turned off at night Honestly, we enjoyed the afternoon in the boat but spent all of it laughing at just how awful it was!!! The worst thing in Moscow! Read more Written August 18, 2019
• niruDurbs 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Not the best value for the price The ticket is quite expensive and covers three different routes in a 24 hour period. The red route is quite exciting and takes about an hour. The bus comes every 10 to 15 minutes. However the other two routes take about two hours each and buses come every 30 to 40 minute period. If the bus is full then you have to wait at the stop for the next bus. So personally I feel that not much can be seen this way. I definitely was not impressed. However it must be noted that one can learn a lot about the history of Moscow Read more Written July 3, 2019
• IrishCueTravel 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles SLO Motion Not all their fault , but if you plan on trying this Attraction be patient! Traffic is a big problem first and foremost. But to add additional unnecessary delays; the bus stops at each site for 15 minutes at a time or More ! I gave up half way through ( 45 minutes) ; and walked back to the starting point in 10 minutes! Read more Written June 4, 2019
• michael g 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Worst hop on/hop off EVER Waited for 40 minutes in the cold rain for a bus that never came... unacceptable. Traffic is so bad that when on a bus the previos day it was barely moving. My advice-get a subway pass and a good travel guide book and do sightseeing on your own! Read more Written October 24, 2018
• Rebecca J 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Boat element was excellent We purchased a ticket online for the boat and bus for 2 days. The boat element was wonderful, we saw some amazing parts of Moscow along the river side. The bus element was very disappointing as it only started at 10am and was finished by 6:30pm. It was extremely warm when we were there and it would have been great to do the tour in the cool of the day. There was also no air conditioning in the down stairs part of the bus. They also turned away passengers at one of the stops as the bus was full and there was not another bus for 40 minutes. Read more Written September 26, 2018
• Monismith2014 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles it was very enjoyable it was very interesting seeing things we saw walking around from the bus. so much more to see. we had a lot better view of the attractions from the height of the bus.also the bus was reasonable slow which gave us time enough for photos. it stopped at sparrow hill for 10 minutes for picture taking Read more Written September 20, 2018
• fati666222 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles The best way to see Moscow We did both routes but if you have little time then only do the red route.Its very informative and it takes you to the important sights.The staff on the bus are very friendly and helpful. Read more Written August 20, 2018
• adolfo17 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles The worst hope-on hope-off service I've ever seen Diffiult to understand the route maps and stops. Staff wouldn't help either. Lengthy stops. No air conditioning. Read more Written August 4, 2018
• Peter F 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Two Routes There is a short red route which depending on the traffic takes about an hour. The route is generally around the Red Square area. The ear phones were small and sometimes the commentary did not link up with the sites you were seeing. The green bus takes you on a longer route and ours took two and a half hours due to the heavy traffic. I would not recommend this trip unless it is raining or you want to fill in time. The sights we saw were nothing outstanding with plenty of time at certain stops for photos. Also the driver stop for a bite to eat at one stop. Read more Written July 30, 2018
• Bernardo P 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Boat Trips Moscow, Russia Yesterday, I booked a boat trip with the GetYourGuide.com web page and was totally horrible, didn’t have audio guide as it shows on the picture-Nobody Talk-. The girl on the picture-light blue bag-ask for 100 Rubles for show her the QR Code while I had the Booking and PIN number cause she must see the vessel name-Didn’t say nothing and after she said board any vessel. I suggest take the trip and pay on site, avoid fake internet pages, there are many other services with a lot of entertainment, don’t take this ones. Read more Written July 14, 2018
• Kathrynowl91 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Good way to see some sites We usually do these tours when we travel. They get you round and you see the sight . The traffic is quite heavy so it is a bit slow but there is not a lot they can do about it. We only did the red route. Just a note people don’t queue here when the bus comes it’s a bit of a free for all. Read more Written July 13, 2018
• Daniyal91 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Was Ok.! Started our tour of moscow from here, We had got the 2 Day Pass with the boat ride. The route and the map was good but not well managed. The bus didn't stop at many points. Were were unaware a couple of times at what point we were and missed them. Headphones and maps were provided. Would recommend one should check out the route map before going and decide which places to stop in advance, this way one can manage and enjoy the tour more and us it more effectively.! The boat ride was Ok, a little crowded. No guide provided, just a boat ride with restaurant service Read more Written July 12, 2018
• WilliamDyer 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Poor service on boat and too many waiting times on buses For the price, you should expect at minimum English speaking tour guides with decent experience, but at least in my case that did not happen both in buses and boats. And in the boat even tough we were 90% English speaking tourist at least, the tour guide spoke 95% of the time in Russia, and only 3 sentences in English, I really counted how many times she spoke in English. And at the end she asks us if we have any questions? Of course I told her I couldn’t ask her anything since I didn’t understand 95% of what she was saying. The boat tour is not worth it, just take the bus that would be my advice. Second minus is the waiting times, in the boat they made us wait an hour before it departed, and in many stops with the buses waiting times of 20-30 minutes. I actually think I lost that day around 2 hours doing nothing. Be careful. Read more Written July 10, 2018

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

City Sightseeing Moscow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise provided by City Sightseeing Moscow

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• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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WA environment minister seeks to halt confusion around end to boat trips through Horizontal Falls

Western Australia's environment minister has accused the state opposition of talking down the local tourism industry amid a growing dispute over the decision to cease boat trips through Horizontal Falls.

The Cook government announced earlier this month that boat journeys through the rock formation, 1,900 kilometres north of Perth, would be phased out by March 2028.

Currently, jet-boat trips through the falls are a major tourist drawcard, attracting thousands of visitors to the southern Kimberley region each year.

The government's decision came after years of calls for an end to the practice from Dambimangari traditional owners  for both safety and cultural heritage reasons, which escalated after tourists were injured in a serious accident in 2022.

They said the sacred site, Garaan-ngaddim, was home to ancestors, and traditional owners only travelled through the gaps for specific reasons.

WA Liberal Party leader Libby Mettam has pledged to reverse the decision if she wins next year's state election, saying it is "a step too far".

But Environment Minister Reece Whitby said the change would not impact other tourism experiences at the falls, and new experiences would also be created.

Mr Whitby said Ms Mettam's claims were unfounded, as tourists would still be able to enjoy the park.

"I'm really concerned about some of the negative comments and some of the perceptions out there that tourism is closed," he said.

"Nothing could be further from the truth."

Opposition petitions against decision

A petition started by Ms Mettam against the decision to end boat trips through the falls has attracted more than 5,300 signatures.

The Liberal leader said her primary concern was the precedent the decision could set for other national parks.

She said the government's decision to phase out boat trips was a blow to the tourism industry and to West Australians who "want to enjoy their national park".

She said the closure should not be about "any one group" and the cultural and safety considerations could be appropriately addressed.

But she conceded she was yet to speak with traditional owners.

"Look, we will obviously talk to all stakeholders on the ground, but I believe that this situation can be managed," she said.

"The principle around national parks is that we shouldn't be locking them up."

Ms Mettam did not specify how her party would reverse the decision or work around exclusive native title rights the traditional owners held over the site.

Tourism to continue

Mr Whitby said the opposition was confusing the community and giving people the false impression that tourism at the falls would stop.

He said a meeting held in Broome last week showed dissent against the decision was not being felt on the ground.

The meeting, hosted by the Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry, included major tourism operators, the Broome Shire, traditional owners, and other tourism bodies.

"I wish that people who are speaking out and being very negative about this issue would have been in the room at the time," Mr Whitby said.

"Everyone in the room accepted the position we're in … and got on very well."

He said mixed messaging meant tourism operators were receiving calls from customers, and had to explain that the full range of other tours were still operational.

Chamber chief executive Sharni Foulkes said people were not aware that the whole site was not being closed.

"I hope people read the full detail and understand the situation in full before making comments," she said.

A statement from Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation said the decision "was not about stopping tourism or closure".

"We've had really positive, constructive conversations with local industry over the last week about the future of tourism at Talbot Bay, and along our coastline," the statement read.

"We're excited about the future and looking forward to working with industry and government on more culturally appropriate tourism experiences that continue to attract visitors to this iconic destination, and the region."

Mr Whitby said a working group involving all impacted parties was being set up to help create new tourism solutions at the site.

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Taylor Swift Rocks Red Lipstick with Short-Shorts and Slides for Boat Date with Travis Kelce

The singer's chic vacation look included tropical slides which are now on sale for $127!

No matter where Taylor Swift is in the world, you better believe she's wearing a red lip. 

Last week, the Grammy winner, 34, and her boyfriend Travis Kelce vacationed in the Bahamas, with a source telling PEOPLE at the time that the trip was a “ much-needed break for the both of them.”

While on the island, the couple were photographed on a dock , and once we were past Swift and Kelce’s sweet hand holding, we couldn’t stop talking about the “Karma” singer’s on-trend, day date look. Let’s break it down. 

Swift decided to keep it cool and casual in a beige Polo baseball cap over her braided ponytail, a pink floral-print baby tank top and white boxer-like, short-shorts, which are having a moment in fashion as a cute and breezy alternative to the classic short. 

For shoes, Swift slipped on a pair of Cedar & Hyde Mercantile’s checkered Marea Cruzado Wave Sole Sandals with an emerald green center. Similar styles are available on the brand’s website, including a black-and-white option , as well as all-black and all-green colorways, which are all currently on sale for $127. 

Swift covered up with a pair of sunglasses, but her signature (and famously smudge-proof ) red lipstick could not be missed.

Kelce, 34, who is a known style hypebeast, wore black sunglasses, a boxy white T-shirt and blue tie-dye trunks, but dressed up his look with a pair of dark brown loafers.

The insider also tells PEOPLE that the pop star and Kansas City Chiefs tight end “very much enjoyed” their getaway, which lasted several days, and are “so happy together.” 

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Swift, who just wrapped up the Asia leg of her Eras Tour, and Kelce, who celebrated his third Super Bowl win with the Chiefs on February 11 in Las Vegas, were most recently at Nobu in Malibu. They appeared in happy spirits as they were spotted on a lunch date over the weekend.

For the occasion, Swift wore a preppy look featuring a $675 beige pleated mini skort by Sandy Liang and a $1,100 light blue Khaite cashmere sweater , according to @taylorswiftstyled on Instagram. She accessorized with a $6,100 Joseph Duclos tan leather messenger bag .

She surprisingly ditched her red lip for a more subdued nude pink shade reminiscent of the one she was spotted wearing during an outing in Sydney with friend Sabrina Carpenter. 

Meanwhile, Kelce decided to wear a laid-back light gray crewneck with black joggers and sneakers. The day before his Malibu date with Swift, he was spotted visiting his hometown of Cleveland . 

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