Escape to North Carolina's most beautiful lake with a unique stay that immerses you in nature and fun, the Mermaid Boat. A fully operating houseboat, the Gigi Mermaid boat was built and launched in 2021. See our great reviews on the Narai & Gigi. Enjoy the lake, glamping with modern conveniences.
- Kitchenette with coffee maker and dishware
- Propane grill
- Air conditioning & heat
- Generator
- Marine toilet
- Sofa converts into a double bed
- Table converts into a single bed
- Bed linens
The Gigi Mermaid boat is decked out in Mermaid decor to create a memorable stay on Lake James. The sofa converts into a double bed and the kitchen table converts into a single bed. Linens and pillows are provided. There is a small marine toilet on board and a stocked kitchenette, which includes a Keurig coffee maker, toaster, dishware, and some cookware. This is not like staying at a hotel or in a house but is more of a glamping experience, so please set expectations accordingly.
- 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, flashlights, books, and games are available as well
The boat has air conditioning and heat powered by a generator and electricity (and outlets). There is a propane grill on the front and a roof deck accessible ONLY when the boat is not in motion.
The boat is not docked, 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. We recommend this for any longer stays
2. Stay on a public beach - these are usually the best beaches on the lake with premiere views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is no cost to use these beaches, but they can get crowded and noisy on holidays and weekends during prime summer months. If they are full upon arrival, you can expect space to begin to open up at sundown as boaters go home. There is no camping or fires allowed on these beaches.
3. Tie up to the old state park dock (meager traffic) or anchor in a cove overnight.
There is a generator that runs the air conditioner/heat and electricity. The kitchen consists of countertops, a coffee maker, and a pump sink. There is NO shower on the boat.
Guests will drive around Lake James, there are public beach areas they can pull the boat up on or anchor in a cove and swim. Lake James State Park has many boat-in camping sites that offer great amenities if you are staying overnight. You will have access to restroom facilities as well as beaches to play on if you book these sites (usually about $10/night).
I pick guests up at Canal Bridge public access, give them a tutorial on how to drive and use the boat, and then they drop me off and head out. I am available 24/7 and provide my personal cell to all my guests should they run into any issue or have any questions.
Park at Canal Bridge on James Ave - this public boat site is 24/7 and overnight parking is permitted. Canal Bridge is managed by Lake James State Park.
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 to 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 the license with you (Approximately $30).
