7 Best Houseboat Rentals in Texas for a Vacay on the Water

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Mix the comforts of home with the fun of boats and tada! You get cool houseboats where you can eat, sleep, and play.

With miles and miles of coastline and numerous lakes and rivers throughout the state, Texas offers countless opportunities for fun on the water. But if you’re a true water bug and aren’t satisfied with having to say goodbye to your boat at the end of a day’s activities, maybe you should consider booking an overnight stay in a houseboat. Because really, why stay by the water when you can stay on the water?

From fun rentals floating in beautiful coves to comfy watercrafts situated at the dock, these are some of the best houseboat rentals in Texas. The water is calling you!

1. Lake Travis Houseboat Paradise

Why you should stay: You’ll get lots of amenities from a decked-out fishing dock to kayaks and paddleboards.

Nearest town: Austin
Sleeps: 8
Minimum stay: 1 night
Rates from: $300/night

This Lake Travis houseboat brings some feelings of home with its roomy, fully equipped kitchen, multiple sleeping areas, and casual decor. Aside from all the room you have inside, there’s also an upper deck where you can hang with its own little bar (and nice views of the lake and surrounding hills).

If your love of water extends to fishing, then you’re in luck because this property also has a separate fishing dock stocked with all the gear you’d need. There are loads of other ways to enjoy the lake here too with the kayaks, paddleboards, swimming platform, and floaties available. You may want to pack some snorkeling gear as well if you have it because the waters are often clear enough to see different fish in the no-wake cove where you’re docked.

Looking for even more to do? In just a few minutes you can get to Lakeway Resort and Spa and Lakeway Marina with activities like golf and jet skis.

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2. Harborside Rentals

luxury houseboat rental texas — Photo: Harborside Rentals

Why you should stay: Choose between two big houseboats, each with its own hot tub.

Nearest town: Austin
Sleeps: 15
Minimum stay: Must inquire
Rates from: Must inquire

Harborside Rentals offers two different houseboats for rent: there’s the 92-foot-long “Sure Thing” and the 85-foot-long “For Play.” Each one gives you lots of space to spread out seeing as they both have four bedrooms along with a living room. It’s not just how large they are that makes these a nice choice though. Another reason to book one of these bad boys is to be able to use amenities like a hot tub and water slide.

You’re only allowed to rent one of these if you’re 25 years and older with a valid driver’s license. Don’t get too excited about the license part though since you’re not actually allowed to drive the houseboat yourself during your trip. Instead, their captain will get you all set up somewhere in the cove and leave you to it. While you can sleep up to 15 people on here, if you just want to rent the houseboat for a daytime part, they can actually accommodate 30 people on board.

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3. Houseboat Yacht

Why you should stay: This spacious yacht offers a picture-perfect retreat in a lovely lake cove.

Nearest town: Leander
Sleeps: 12
Minimum stay: 1 night
Rates from: $420/night

This houseboat yacht is tucked away in a picturesque cove, not too far from Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures (ziplining, anyone?). One of the great things about its location aside from the beautiful views is that the hill blocks the wind so you shouldn’t feel blown about while out on the water (keep in mind you are anchored in place though).

There’s a modern, funky flair in the spacious interior with bits of boho accents throughout the different rooms. For cooking, you have a stove-top burner but no oven, but it’s fun to get the grill going outside anyways. If you’ve got someone else in charge of the barbecue, why not relax a little on the swing or in the hammock? There’s definitely no shortage of places to lounge on the upper deck.

While the rental includes one kayak and float mattress to use upon request, you do have the option to rent more equipment like kayaks and a canoe. You can also book other services like catering and massages with the host for an additional fee.

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4. Scotch and Water

texas houseboat rental interior — Photo: Airbnb

Why you should stay: Lake Travis is your backyard on this rental with a big upper deck.

Nearest town: Austin
Sleeps: 6
Minimum stay: 1 night
Rates from: $200/night

It’s a blue-and-white nautical theme all throughout Scotch and Water, a houseboat docked at Lake Travis. If you prefer cooking for yourself on your houseboat getaway, that should be no problem at all seeing as the kitchen has a big fridge along with an air fryer/microwave/convection oven set-up. When it’s time to rest your head, you have a bed with a memory foam mattress to enjoy while your other guests can fold down the dining table and fold out the futon for additional sleeping space.

You do have a TV inside, but most likely, you’ll be wanting to spend your time outdoors while staying here and the upstairs terrace is great for that. There’s a Bluetooth stereo up there too so you can get your tunes going. While you can’t take this boat away from the slip, you can get out on the water with the kayaks, paddleboard, and floats.

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5. Float in Paradise

Why you should stay: This large, luxurious houseboat has its own hot tub and slide.

Nearest town: Austin
Sleeps: 10
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $650/night

This houseboat shows how lavish boat life can really be. There’s a comfy living room with a big couch that can fit the whole crew, a nice bar area, a walk-in rain shower, and a fully equipped kitchen. There’s even a washer and dryer, which is convenient for longer stays. And you may be floating on water but you won’t have to leave the digital entertainment on land given the TVs with Roku and a Bluetooth sound system (both inside and out). What’ll really have you feeling pampered here though is the hot tub on top of the houseboat. Yes, that’s right—a full-on hot tub.

While this boat is moored at the dock, you can easily cruise the water with a jet ski or boat rented from the marina. For some water fun a little bit closer to home, have a go down the slide that starts at the top deck and includes its own fun spray system. Once you’ve splashed into the water, lounge in the front or back patio, or head up the spiral staircase to the upper deck to go again.

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6. Cozy Houseboat

Why you should stay: It’s an affordable option close to many attractions.

Nearest town: Kemah
Sleeps: 3
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $99/night

This cozy houseboat gets its name for features like a little fireplace inside and upper lounge area. And whether you’re coming in winter or in summer, you should enjoy a comfortable stay seeing as the place has air conditioning, fans, and heaters for you to figure out your perfect temperature.

If you feel like cooking something during your stay, you can decide between the cooktop in the kitchen or the charcoal grill at the end of the dock. If you don’t feel like doing any work doing your getaway, that’s okay too since you’re not far from a variety of different restaurants. Showering wise you have options as well between the interior bathroom or out at the marina bathhouse.

You can enjoy some entertainment without ever leaving this houseboat thanks to your two smart TVs, but you can also make your way over to the marina’s fishing pier to cast a line. The houseboat’s location also puts you close to other great attractions like the Kemah Boardwalk and Space Center Houston.

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7. Bonus: The Famous FloatHouse

texas float house rental — Photo: The Famous FloatHouse

Why you should stay: Adventure awaits at this big property that deems itself part houseboat and part lake house.

Nearest town: Leander
Sleeps: 14
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $350/night

Okay, The Famous FloatHouse is definitely more house than boat, but it deserves a special mention just for being a cool place to stay on the water. With this rental, you get an entire house to roam so it’s perfect for a large group. There’s a little bit of a retro feel with the interior design (like ‘50s metal diner barstools), and there’s a mixture of standalone beds and bunk beds.

While you’re here, you have lots of toys at your fingertips like shuffleboard, a pool table, and a paddleboard. You can’t leave without at least one go down the water slide and the rope swing is next level for those who love a little thrill.

It’s not necessarily the best place for young kids unless you’re going to keep a close eye on them given all the ropes and rails and ladders, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for a unique place to hang on the lake with your best friends.

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