A Guide to Houseboating in Florida

By Jennifer Stevens

Waking up in a houseboat with views of Florida’s rivers, lakes, and oceans is truly a bucket list experience. And with unique destinations all across the state, there’s no shortage of opportunities to spend the night in floating cottages or anchored live-aboards.

Here’s a list of some of the best houseboating experiences in each of Florida’s regions.

Northwest Florida
Floating Homes in Apalachicola and Pensacola

Florida’s Panhandle is celebrated for its pristine white sand beaches, family-friendly experiences, and outdoor activities. And one of the best ways to take advantage of the area is to rent a houseboat in either charming Apalachicola or vibrant Pensacola.

On the Apalachicola River, just a block from the historic downtown center, you’ll find several floating homes available through Florida Houseboat Vacation Rentals. The one and two-bedroom houseboats are docked on the river, rising and falling with the tides and the small waves created by shrimp boats passing by. From the houseboats, you can walk to renowned seafood restaurants and local shops. And from your front porch, you can board a fishing boat for a day on the river or explore the beautiful Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park.

About 200 miles northwest of Apalachicola, near the Alabama border, is the Gulf Coast city of Pensacola. Here, on Pensacola Bay in the Seville Harbour Marina, are four docked houseboats for rent. The houseboats accommodate four to six people and are fully equipped, with bay-facing porches. Spend your days cruising around on a boat or jet ski (slips are available near the houseboat), visiting the white sand beaches of Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach, and nights walking over to Pensacola’s historic district to enjoy a variety of restaurants and cultural activities.

North Central Florida
Cruise the Suwannee River by Houseboat

Just hearing the name “Suwannee” likely conjures memories of singing the American folk song: "Way down upon the Suwannee River, far, far away…” And when you take a houseboat down the historic waterway, you’ll understand why the song became so popular.

The Suwannee River is still a wild and very scenic channel, stretching from the Okefenokee Swamp in southeastern Georgia all the way to the town of Suwannee in Dixie County, Florida. Known for its crystal clear springs and abundant wildlife, the river is the perfect place to cruise along on a houseboat—stopping at charming towns and spring-fed watering holes.

Gateway Marina in Suwannee town has 44-foot houseboats for rent, designed to sleep six to eight adults comfortably. The houseboats are all equipped with full kitchens, showers, flush toilets, and beds, and are easy to steer. In fact, all you need is a quick training session with the staff at Suwannee Houseboats and take some time to plan out your river itinerary with the company’s cruising manual and large-scale map.

*Please note that as of the end of 2024, the Suwannee Houseboats are out of commission due to severe storm damage. Make sure to contact them before planning your trip.

Northeast Florida
Live-a-boards in Historic St. Augustine

One mile from the historic district of the nation’s oldest city, you’ll find a private marina, where you can spend the night on a houseboat. A truly unique place to stay in St. Augustine, The English Landing Marina is a peaceful location to take in the views of the San Sebastián River while being within walking distance to all the city’s attractions.

Dream Aboard Boatels has seven live-aboard boats moored at the marina, with options to rent a 30' catalina sailboat for two, a 43’ Sportfish SeaRay Yacht for six, or a 50' houseboat built to sleep eight passengers. All the boats are equipped with beds, kitchenettes, and bathrooms, with access to the marina’s new bathroom facilities and showers.

While the houseboats are just a 20-minute walk from the picturesque cobblestone streets of St. Augustine’s historic district, they’re also just steps from the city’s popular food truck park: Marina Munch. Here, you’ll find trucks serving tacos, arepas, pizza, and burgers, and seafood, with live music on select Fridays and Saturdays.

Central Florida
Floating Cottages and Houseboats in Downtown Sanford

Just 30 minutes north of Orlando, on the southern shore of Lake Monroe along the St. Johns River is Sanford: a historic town full of Old Florida charm and a vibrant arts scene. Known for its beautiful brick-lined streets, museums, and award-winning restaurants, Sanford is a great family-friendly destination that offers several unique houseboat accommodation options.

The “Famous Tiny Houseboat,” made famous from its appearance on HGTV’s “Tiny House Hunters,” is a floating house parked at the Downtown Sanford Marina. About 500-square-feet in size, the floating house comes equipped with a bedroom, full bathroom, kitchen, living room and porch—just steps away from the historic center.

Another unique Sanford houseboat option is a floating cottage, docked at the Boat Tree Marina, just north of Lake Monroe on the St. Johns River. The 550-square-foot cottage is truly adorable, painted yellow, and boasting an American flag out front. The house comes fully equipped, and the marina where it’s docked has a restaurant, bait shop and pool.

Also moored at the Boat Tree Marina is a quirky house boat made of concrete, made in Sweden in 1973. The houseboat is cozy and well-appointed for two people, with a full kitchen, bathroom and bedroom aboard.

Central East Florida
Cruise Down the Iconic St. Johns River

The longest river in the state, the St. Johns channel stretches 310 miles from Southeast Florida near Vero Beach all the way to Jacksonville where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. And right in the middle of the north-flowing river is the charming town of Deland, where houseboat enthusiasts can rent cruising live-aboards.

The St. Johns River is a slow flowing river, making it perfect for leisurely houseboat trips and safe for non-experienced boaters to steer. (There’s no boating license required; only a valid driver’s license.) The slow pace allows visitors to appreciate all the area’s wildlife, including manatees, alligators, and a variety of bird species. It’s also possible to stop completely to fish for the river’s famous largemouth bass (with a license) or to admire the natural springs and preserved state parks.

For larger houseboats ranging from 38-feet to 60-feet, Houseboating.org in Holly’s Bluff Marina offers comfortable options with fully equipped kitchens, air conditioning, and even outdoor gas grills. The houseboats sleep four to twelve people and are great options for family get-togethers. Another option for single anglers or couples is to rent an 18-foot Tiny Houseboat, which includes a kitchenette, dining table, a bathroom and a couch that converts into a bed.

Central West Florida
Luxury Floating Suites in Crystal River

Known for its crystal clear springs and manatees, Crystal River is a haven for kayakers and nature-lovers. The area is also famous for scalloping and fishing—with snook, redfish and tarpon being the most popular catches.

On Kings Bay at Pete’s Pier, there are 59-foot luxury houseboats for rent through Anglers Inn. The houseboats sleep up to five people and include all the comforts of a hotel suite with fully equipped kitchens, sun decks, and gas grills. Guests also enjoy a 24/7 concierge service, access to kayaks and snorkel equipment, and beach essentials (the Gulf of Mexico is just 10 miles away).

From the houseboats, visitors can opt for guided fishing trips, manatee and dolphin tours, airboat rides and sunset cruises through Anglers Inn. By kayak, boat, or car, you can reach Crystal River Preserve State Park and explore its untouched Old Florida wetlands. And a trip to the Three Sisters Springs, a group of unspoiled and undeveloped freshwater springs, within the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is a must-do.

Southeast Florida
Houseboating in the Florida Keys

People are generally drawn to the Florida Keys for its clear turquoise waters, abundant marine life, famous laid-back lifestyle, and unique culture. And one of the best ways to experience all of this (while also taking in the area’s famous sunsets) is by staying on a houseboat.

Starting in the "Gateway to the Florida Keys,” Key Largo’s KeySea Houseboats offer visitors the option to not only sleep on a houseboat, but also to drive it around Key Largo’s Florida Bay. The 35-foot Catamaran Cruiser sleeps up to four people and has everything you need for a day on the water, including a double kayak, snorkel and fishing gear. At night, you’ll return to Pennekamp State Park Moorings to sleep. Houseboat drivers will need to have experience driving a boat, and a Boating Safety Education Identification Card if born after 1988.

A little farther south, moored half a mile from Islamorada is a solar and wind-powered houseboat big enough for two guests. Surrounded by water, the houseboat comes with kayaks and a skiff to get to and from the mainland. Drivers need to be experienced using hand-pulled outboard motors. In Marathon, there’s the option of staying in a floating house anchored in a quiet, reserved mangrove area away from land, or renting the unique Aqua Lodges at Coconut Cay Rv and Marina, where you’ll find a private beach and free bike and kayak rentals.

And finally, all the way down in Key West, there’s a 56-foot Three Buoys SunSeeker Houseboat for rent, moored at a local “hidden” 15-slip dock on Boca Chica Channel, about a 15-minute drive from downtown. Happy’s Houseboat is another popular rental, located in a calm bay, just a quick skiff ride (provided) to downtown Key West. Since this option requires someone to drive the skiff to and from land, boating experience is necessary, as is a Boating Safety Education Identification Card for those born after 1988.

Southwest Florida
Out in the Everglades

The largest subtropical wetland in North America, the Florida Everglades spans about 1.5 million acres. Often a bucket list item for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, The Everglades are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including crocodiles, manatees, the Florida panther, and abundant bird species. And the landscape, full of mangrove forests, sawgrass marshes and cypress swamps, is something to behold.

Flamingo Adventures, located 38 miles from the entrance to the Everglades National Park, has 42-foot houseboats for rent—allowing visitors a unique way to explore the area. The boats comfortably sleep four people, outfitted with two bedrooms, one bathroom, an equipped kitchen, living area, outdoor grill, and air conditioning.

Guests are able to drive the houseboats within the beautiful Whitewater and Coot Bays, known for their mangroves and fishing opportunities (with snapper, snook, tarpon, and grouper being some of the most popular catches). Note that anglers will require a Florida State freshwater fishing license, and drivers must have a valid Boating Safety Education Identification Card (if born after 1988) and a valid Everglades Boater Education card.