Welcome to The Cove Riverwalk Villas, Wilmington’s most unique vacation rental community!
Nestled toward the front of the dock, Sanctuary offers captivating marina views from its cozy back patio. Surrounded by vibrant hues of purples and oranges, the interior features include a sofa bed and a dedicated workspace, making it an excellent choice for both families and digital nomads.
The Space:
Sanctuary is located at slip #8, just four slips in on the marina side.
Full kitchen stocked with everything you could need to prepare a great meal. Complimentary local coffee, creamer, and sugar, are provided alongside a drip coffee maker.
First floor bedroom with Queen size bed, large closet, ceiling fan, and 40” Smart TV
Two full bathrooms, one on each floor, with walk-in showers. Complimentary hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are provided, along with bath and hand towels, wash cloths, and make-up towels.
Second floor bedroom with King sized bed, large closet, dresser, ceiling fan, and 55” Smart TV
First floor open concept living and dining room, featuring dining table with four seats, three bar stools along the kitchen island, cozy couch and arm chairs.
Second floor living room featuring a pull-out sofa, 55” Smart TV, and a beautiful view of the Cape Fear River through the sliding glass doors. A dedicated workspace allows you the work-from-home space of your dreams.
Large patio on second floor featuring an outdoor bar with a mini fridge and sink and a variety of comfortable furniture options. This patio is a fan favorite for everything from morning coffee, afternoon reading, evening spirits, or enjoying a meal.
Guest Access:
Guests will have access to the entire villa for the duration of their stay.
The Neighborhood:
The Cove is located in Port City Marina (PCM), a top-tier, gated, full-service marina offering over 200 cutting-edge floating concrete wet slips. Situated on the picturesque Cape Fear River, PCM is a haven for both transient boaters and our esteemed residents enjoying the luxury of our permanent floating villas.
Our state-of-the-art dock hosts all 40 of our exquisite villas, boasting thoughtfully designed angled slips, picturesque landscaping, and a welcoming community space at the dock's end.
PCM's prime location on the along the award-winning Riverwalk grants boaters and villa guests unparalleled access to the vibrant Downtown Wilmington scene. Indulge in the city's rich cultural offerings, savor delectable dining experiences, and immerse yourself in the vibrant arts and entertainment scene, all just steps away from our marina.
Getting Around:
Parking is available for one vehicle per villa in an off-site parking garage. The parking garage is located about a 5-7 minute walk from the Marina, so we recommend packing in suitcases with wheels, bringing a foldable cart if you have one. We often get unexpected rain showers on the coast, so we also recommend packing an umbrella or rain jacket.
Other Things to Note:
Welcome to The Cove Riverwalk Villas —your perfect getaway in Downtown Wilmington! We're just steps from Port City Marina and the Wilmington Convention Center, and one block from The Wilson Center and Live Oak Bank Pavilion, so you can skip the parking stress and event traffic. Who needs a designated driver when you’re this close to the action?
We're excited to share that The Cove is growing! As part of our expansion, you may notice some changes to the views from certain villas. We do our best to keep our photos current, but given the pace of construction, updates may not always reflect the latest changes.
Please note that our north-facing villas, which have previously enjoyed marina views, will now overlook our community along B Dock. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility, and we look forward to welcoming you as The Cove continues to evolve into something even better!
Historic Downtown Wilmington is less than a mile away, with tons of shops, restaurants, breweries, and live music. Get there on foot, hop on the free trolley, or take a quick drive—either way, fun is just around the corner! For the inside scoop on local hotspots and events, check out our Guidebook or visit "Wilmington and Beaches" online.
Need to catch a flight or hit the beach? Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is only 8 minutes away, and Wrightsville Beach, Jungle Rapids, and UNCW are all within a 10-mile radius.
Bringing your boat? Our friends at Port City Marina would love to rent you a slip—just reach out to them directly and let the good times roll!
The unique charm of The Cove comes from its prime position atop the Cape Fear River. Here in Wilmington, you might encounter a local 'water bug' or ‘palmetto bug’. While their visits are rare thanks to our rigorous cleanliness standards, these occasional guests are simply part of riverside living. Rest assured, we continuously strive to minimize their appearances and appreciate your understanding.
Parking for The Cove is conveniently located in a nearby garage approximately 0.3 miles from the dock. The garage offers 24/7 in/out access and is equipped with an elevator for easy loading and unloading. Parking for one vehicle per reservation is included, with additional parking available at daily rates set by the garage.
While the garage is close, guests should be aware that there is a 5–7 minute walk to the dock due to our marina setting. Rolling luggage is highly recommended, and bringing a cart or wagon can be helpful. A limited number of wagons are available for guest use at our on-site office on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If this villa’s booked, no worries - send us a message and we can help you find another date or villa that suits your needs. We would love to have you Stay Afloat!
@thecove_wilmington
Please note: A separate rental agreement is required to be signed within 48 hours of booking. This agreement provides important property specific rules and regulations in compliance with the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act and can be reviewed in advance upon request.
Interaction with Guests:
Our office is located at Slip #1. A team member is typically available on-site daily from 10am-5pm for guest assistance. If there is no one on-site, you can also reach us through the messaging option on your booking site and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Be mindful of your surroundings, considerate of your neighbors & respectful of the river.
Walk Only Zone: For safety reasons, the dock is a walk-o...
-Absolutely no swimming allowed - the current in the Cape Fear River is strong and dangerous
-No smoking or illicit drugs allowed in the marina
-Failure to return the front door key upon check-out will result in a $300.00 fee
Important information
You need to know
Property # 3815473vb
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
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Wilmington
Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Downtown Wilmington, a neighbourhood in Wilmington. Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Wilmington Railroad Museum and Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews. Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts and Children's Museum of Wilmington are also worth visiting.
Wilmington Convention Center - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
Cape Fear Community College - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
Live Oak Bank Pavilion - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
Getting around
Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 13 min drive
Restaurants
Brunch Thyme - 15 min walk
Copper Penny - 12 min walk
Eagle's Dare - 13 min walk
Java Dog Coffee House - 10 min walk
Cape Fear Wine And Beer - 12 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Sanctuary @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Sanctuary @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?
As of 12 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sanctuary @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas on 13 May, 2026 start from S$555, 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 Sanctuary @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Sanctuary @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Sanctuary @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas located?
Located in Downtown Wilmington, this houseboat is within a 10-minute walk of Riverwalk, Wilmington Convention Center and Cape Fear Community College. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Riverfront Park are also within 10 minutes.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Very nice villa with lots of room and well stocked with everything we needed. Great location and fantastic views. Very clean and spotless. Will definitely book again
This listing is exactly as advertised and the quality of the houseboat construction is stellar. The location is fabulous and all interactions with the house were first class. I truly can’t wait to go back.
I can’t say enough about how fabulous of a time we had this past weekend. So much space, such an amazing view, and so so unique. Place was impeccable. Communication with the office was amazing. Hope our plans in the future can include another visit to the Cove!
We enjoyed our stay at The Cove Sanctuary 8. The house was very clean and beautifully decorated. House was very well stocked with all the essentials. 10-15 minute walk to downtown nightlife and several great restaurants. Marina has a couple new restaurants that are less than a 5 minute walk from The Cove. The marina is very quiet and peaceful during the day and evenings. Wilmington is a charming little town with lots to offer. This is the perfect romantic weekend getaway, family weekend or girls trip. Highly Recommend!