Entire house boat

The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC

The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC

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Overview of The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
1 bathroomSleeps 3

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space

Enjoy the area

Map
Nebo, NC
  • Popular LocationLake James5 min walk
  • Popular LocationLake James State Park18 min walk
  • Popular LocationMcDowell County Courthouse11 min drive
  • AirportHickory, NC (HKY-Hickory Regional)48 min drive

Rooms & beds

0 bedrooms (sleeps 3)

Common spaces

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony

About this property

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).

Property manager

John Hamel
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English, French

Amenities

Kitchen
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Barbecue grill

House Rules

Check in after 12:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Nebo

Located in Nebo, this houseboat is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Belle Nicho Winery and Marion Greenway Trailhead are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Pisgah National Forest and South Mountains State Park. The Outpost and Bouncin' Kids are also worth visiting.
Map
Nebo, NC

What's nearby

  • Lake James - 5 min walk
  • Lake James State Park - 18 min walk
  • McDowell County Courthouse - 11 min drive
  • Boat Beach - 12 min drive
  • Linville Gorge Wilderness Area - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • Countryside BBQ - C-Side - 13 min drive
  • Mica Town Brewing - 11 min drive
  • Fonta Flora Brewery - 8 min drive
  • Bear Creek Marina - 17 min drive
  • Ingenious Coffee Roasters - 11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC?

As of 29 April 2024, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC on 30 April 2024 start from NZ$752.50, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC?

Check-in begins at 12:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC located?

Situated on the waterfront, this houseboat is within 1 mile (2 km) of Lake James and Lake James State Park. Catawba River and Pisgah National Forest are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
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

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Annie H.

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

About the host

Hosted by John Hamel

Host profile image
John has lived on Lake James for more than 20 years, exploring its beautiful waters, beaches, and mountains. He believes it's the most beautiful place in the world and loves sharing the opportunity to enjoy the lake with people from all over the region via his Mermaid Boats and other boat rentals.

John is the owner of Noah's Landing - Boat/RV Storage and Boat rental location. He also owns and operates the local Lake James Urgent Care.

Why they chose this property

See our SuperHost status on AirBnB - with 4.96 stars across 48 glowing reviews on the Narai Mermaid Boat!

The Narai Mermaid Boat is a vintage houseboat that John purchased and restored adding many fun mermaid details to the boat. There aren't many options for staying on Lake James as it's primarily a residential lake with 2 state parks that offer camping. The Mermaid boats give visitors the ability to stay on the lake and have a boat at their disposal to explore, so they aren't tied to a single location. Being on a Mermaid Boat is a little bit of a glamping experience - as boaters don't have access to a shower, refrigerator, microwave or other amenities you might expect in a house on board.

What makes this property unique

Glamping with the best views in North Carolina. If tent camping isn't for you - the Mermaid Boat might be exactly what you're looking for - we don't have all the amenities of a house - but we do have a toilet, pump sink in the Kitchenette, air conditioning, generator, propane grill, and more supplies to make your trip enjoyable.

Our Mermaid theme boat offers a hand-painted mural on both sides of the boat, with festive decor and touches throughout.

Languages:

English, French

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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