13 Stunning Airbnb Boats for When You Want to Take the Vacay to the Water

Picture this: You spend the perfect vacation day kicking back on the sun-drenched deck of your beautiful boat. At night, the gentle sound of water lapping against the hull lulls you to sleep. Sounds dreamy, right?

Except it doesn't have to be your boat. You can now live out this summertime daydream thanks to Airbnb—yup, that’s right, there are real boats on there! And while you’re typically not allowed to take the ships out cruising (there are a few exceptions), you can spend all day and night relaxing on the vessel...which is close enough for me!

Ready to hit the open water? Here are 13 of our favorite Airbnb boats to rent out.

Who would ever argue with waking up on the Seine. The Alphonse is an old-fashioned houseboat built in the 1930s, and it’s docked right along the river in the heart of the city, putting you steps away from all that Paris has to offer. The interior is quaint and cozy, but we bet you’ll want to spend most of your time on the deck, gazing up at the Eiffel Tower.

Is it a boat? A house? A sauna? It’s all three! This "saunaferry” in Kirkkonummi, Finland, is exceptionally unique, and we’re totally smitten with its light, airy interior. It has its very own sauna, as well as whole-wall windows that let you really take in the beauty of the water—you might even see swans swim by. And if you want to take a dip, just climb down the ladder on deck, straight into the bay.

This houseboat is bigger than some tiny houses we’ve seen! Docked on the historic river cam in Fordham, England, it’s just a short walk away from the Cambridge city center. However, you don’t ever have to leave the ship if you don't want to, because it has everything you need for a cozy stay—hardwood floors, kitchen, a full-size bathroom, TV, and more.

The 46-foot Island Oasis yacht is docked in Stockton, California, and it can sleep up to four people. It has a kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms, and you get access to paddleboards, kayaks, fishing equipment and a paddleboat, as well. You’re not allowed to drive it anywhere, but it’s still a seriously luxurious spot to hang out shoreside, apperitif in hand.

This adorable houseboat may as well be a hotel—it has a fireplace, a gas stove, a king-size bed—and you’ll instantly be smitten with its quaint interior design. The Whispering Willow is a 57-foot narrowboat moored in the New Islington marina in Manchester, England, and between its comfy accommodations and convenient location, you may never want to leave.

Here’s another fabulous narrowboat that you can rent in London—the Barbara is as quaint as they come, with cheery pink interior accents, and flowers growing on the roof. What’s unique about this particular boat is that it doesn’t have a permanent mooring, so its location may change, depending on when you rent.

We said that most of these boats don’t leave the dock, but here’s one that does! The luxurious Crystal Blue is an 80-foot yacht in Queensland, Australia, and in addition to getting full run of the boat, you also get your own crew who will drive you out on the water to watch the sunset. It sleeps up to eight people, and you can even opt to have a chef come aboard to serve up delicious fare as you kick back and enjoy the good life.

If you love minimalist design, this modern refurbished barge in Amsterdam is the perfect option for your next trip. You get your own luxurious suite with a private entrance (the owners live onboard), as well as a rain shower, double bed, television, free Wi-Fi, minibar, and romantic private terrace overlooking the water. It also comes with free bikes, if you fancy exploring the city.

This Belgian houseboat feels more like a house than a boat. Its sleek design features floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the water of Marina Westhoek in Vlaanderen, Belgium, and the interior is filled with cool modern furniture for you to relax and enjoy the view. The houseboat is dog-friendly, and you can even sunbathe up on the roof.

Come aboard The Giant Crocodile for a whimsical houseboat experience! This colorful boat is located in Delft, South Holland, and you can rent out one of its bedrooms (the host lives onboard, as well). The cheery teal color scheme of the boat will put a smile on your face, and you have access to a private garden near the dock (more smiles).

If this boat looks familiar, you may have seen it on Tiny House Hunters. Pirate's Life is a popular houseboat in Charleston, South Carolina, and it’s easy to see why—the rustic, nautical decor is totally Instagram-worthy! It has all the features you need to make yourself at home, and it’s steps away from several popular restaurants. However, once you see dolphins swimming outside your window, you may never want to leave.

There are plenty of houseboats to rent in Amsterdam, but there are true ships, as well. For instance, you can rent the top-level suite of The Somoya, a rather indulgent custom-designed ship moored in the heart of the city’s famous Eastern Docklands. You get access to your own bathroom, kitchenette, double bed, sofa, and lounge area, as well as free bikes for some on-ground exploring.

This classic wooden motor yacht suffered a fire several years ago, but it’s been restored to its former glory and is now available to rent. The Linmar is 78-feet long, can sleep up to eight people, and has an old-fashioned vibe thanks to its teak and mahogany interior accents. It’s available for single- and multi-day charters around Seattle, making it the perfect vacation destination for the whole family.

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Which of these boats would be your top pick? Tell us in the comments below.

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