Title: The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC - Latest Reviews, Deals & Photos 2026 - Expedia.ca [See all properties](http://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?regionId=&adults=2&children=&sort=RECOMMENDED&useRewards=false&semdtl=&userIntent=&vip=false) Entire house boat # The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC Houseboat in Nebo ## Photo gallery for The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC ![Beach nearby - The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC (Nebo)](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/76000000/75790000/75784100/75784095/d2ac43e3.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=598&ra=fit) ![Marina - The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC (Nebo)](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/76000000/75790000/75784100/75784095/f835835d.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Interior - The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC (Nebo)](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/76000000/75790000/75784100/75784095/3597e4d3.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Property grounds - The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC (Nebo)](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/76000000/75790000/75784100/75784095/5e952055.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Bed sheets - The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC (Nebo)](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/76000000/75790000/75784100/75784095/4f2f3762.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) - Overview - Location - Amenities - Policies The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC provides everything you need. ## Reviews 10 Exceptional ### Entire house boat 1 bathroomSleeps 3 ## Popular amenities - Kitchen - Air conditioning - Outdoor Space - Parking available - Barbecue grill ## Add dates for prices Check-in Check-out Travellers ## About this property ### Entire place You'll have the entire house boat to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party. ### 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 amenities ### Beach - Beach nearby ### Parking and transportation - Parking on site ### Kitchen - Coffee/tea maker - Cookware, dishware, and utensils - Microwave - Oven - Paper towels - Refrigerator - Spices - Toaster ### Bedrooms - Bedsheets provided - Sofa bed ### Bathroom - 1 bathroom - Toilet paper ### Entertainment - Books - Games ### Outdoor areas - Balcony - Barbecue grill - Dock ### Comfort - Air conditioning ### Pets - No pets allowed ### Suitability/Accessibility - Smoking not allowed ### Location highlights - In the mountains - On a lake - On the waterfront ### Safety features - Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property) - Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property) - First aid kit - Fire extinguisher ## Similar properties ![Living area](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/76000000/75830000/75829500/75829442/c3f6fd07.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### The Gigi - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James Nebo - Kitchen - Air conditioning - Barbecue grill 10 Exceptional 4 reviews CA $377 CA $590 total includes taxes & fees Jan 27 - Jan 28 [](https://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=2026-01-27&endDate=2026-01-28&selected=75829442&PinnedHotelID=75829442&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Exterior](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/35000000/34880000/34875300/34875294/93fe153c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Camp Hideaway Hemlock Haven Cabin @ Nebo, Lake James NC Nebo - Kitchen - Washer - Dryer - Outdoor Space 10 Exceptional 1 review [](https://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=2026-02-09&endDate=2026-02-10&selected=34875294&PinnedHotelID=34875294&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/117000000/116020000/116019100/116019020/384ce52d.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Pet Friendly Cottage in Spruce Pine NC Springmaid Mountain - Kitchen - Pet friendly - Air conditioning - Parking available CA $149 CA $253 total includes taxes & fees Feb 1 - Feb 2 [](https://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=2026-02-01&endDate=2026-02-02&selected=116019020&PinnedHotelID=116019020&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Exterior](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/42000000/41960000/41952500/41952453/85b9c35d.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Charming Cabin + Hot Tub \~ Lake James & Linville Gorge \~ Pet-Friendly + Wi-Fi! 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The mountains are calling you to come! 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You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation ### Property is also known as 130339 ## About the area Located in Nebo, this houseboat is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Belle Nicho Winery and Silver Fork Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake James State Park and South Mountains Game Land. The Outpost and Bouncin' Kids are also worth visiting. [Visit our Nebo travel guide](https://www.expedia.ca/Nebo.dx6351496) [View more Houseboats in Nebo](https://www.expedia.ca/Nebo-Houseboats.d6351496-aaHouseboats.Travel-Guide-Accommodation) ![Map](https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?&size=660x330&map_id=3b266eb50d2997c6&zoom=13&markers=icon:https%3A%2F%2Fa.travel-assets.com%2Ftravel-assets-manager%2Feg-maps%2Fproperty.png%7C35.72723%2C-81.92079&channel=expedia-HotelInformation&maptype=roadmap&scale=1&key=AIzaSyCYjQus5kCufOpSj932jFoR_AJiL9yiwOw&signature=3sAVAx55z8GXp79ljdoP_8RjoK8=) Nebo, NC ### What's nearby - ![This what u get when u at da lake 6:00 am in da morning at the lake. Beautiful sky!!](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635976196811/e4ab17e1-3ef6-4702-a6c8-4ffaa8ba2a28.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=115.61&rh=65.03&ra=fit&q=high) Lake James 9 min walk \- 0.7 km - ![Lake James State Park in the Fall.; Shutterstock ID 396513118; Purchase Order: -](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532657109/82f25464-9a66-43c3-ab9a-03a75f8dd543.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=115.61&rh=65.03&ra=fit&q=high) Lake James State Park 13 min walk \- 1.1 km - ![A beautiful roadside waterfalls. View a video of the waterfall here: https://www.hdcarolina.com/episode/sunburst-falls #waterfall](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/7240/4719c817-8f8f-40f2-a371-b20a08e423cc.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=115.61&rh=65.03&ra=fit&q=high) Pisgah National Forest 7 min drive \- 7.6 km - ![Such a lovely place to visit in the North Carolina mountains. #Trovember](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/8448/78b053f0-a102-4be7-b259-b3d3dbe5fc4d.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=115.61&rh=65.03&ra=fit&q=high) Chimney Rock State Park 51 min drive \- 68.3 km - ![Fontana Lake in the Fall ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634335541584/0e77d28e-f350-400f-89d5-ae64f3c0c5d3.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=115.61&rh=65.03&ra=fit&q=high) Lake Lure 52 min drive \- 71.0 km ### Restaurants - Love's Travel Stop 12 min drive - Papa John's Pizza 13 min drive - Bessie's Diner 9 min drive - The Marion Wing Factory 12 min drive - Mica Town Brewing 11 min drive ## Frequently asked questions ### Is The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC pet-friendly? ### How much does it cost to stay at The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC? ### How much is parking? ### What time is check-in at The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC? ### What time is check-out at The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC? ### Where is The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC located? ## Have a question? Beta Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews. Ask a question ## The Narai - A Mermaid Houseboat on Lake James, NC Reviews ## Reviews ### Exceptional All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative. [More information](https://www.expedia.ca/lp/b/content-guidelines) 10 - Excellent 4 8 - Good 0 6 - Okay 0 4 - Poor 0 2 - Terrible 0 ### 9.6 Cleanliness ### 10 Location ## Reviews ### 10/10 Excellent #### John C., Wake Forest, NC Jul 25, 2023 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy #### The Narai We had a ball. Boat is exactly as advertised. Lake and views are extraordinary. ##### John C. Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Annie H. Oct 3, 2023 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. ##### Annie H. Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Molly A. Jul 13, 2022 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!!!!!! ##### Molly A. Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Glenn M. Aug 10, 2022 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! ##### Glenn M. 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