If you’re considering renting a houseboat for the first time, there’s a common question that might be on your mind, which is…
What exactly do you do on a houseboat vacation?
Maybe you’re wondering what a typical day looks like. How far do you travel? How much time do you actually spend boating? And what do you do when you’re not cruising?
In this article, we’ll walk you through what a week on the water can look like — whether you’re after full-on adventure, total relaxation, or a bit of both. Spoiler alert: it’s every bit as fun and flexible as it sounds.
One of the best parts of renting a houseboat is the FREEDOM. There’s no schedule & no rushing — it’s your holiday to create as you wish! With your lockage & mooring pass (included with your H2O Getaways houseboat rental), you have the freedom to explore at your own pace, without a set itinerary.
So, do you have to do a lot of trip planning before you leave?
Nope! Just bring your sense of adventure — and maybe some snacks.
If you have specific locks you want to stop at or attractions you want to see, you can jot those down in advance & make a rough plan. And of course, we’re always happy to give you our recommendations! But, many crews arrive without any plans & simply see where the adventure takes them.
“The best laid plans? No plans. Just a boat, a breeze and your favorite people.”
That said, we’ll share a little bit about what H2O houseboat vacations typically look like
The first day of your holiday is all about settling in. You’ll get comfortable on the boat, learn to drive during your on-the-water training session, and go through the first lock with either Jen or John as your guide.
After that, you’re off! Some guests ease into vacation mode, stopping at Lock 4 or Lock 6 for a quiet evening. Others cruise a bit farther to the bottom of Lock 7 before docking for the night.
What your days look like on a houseboat vacation is totally up to you.
Some days are made for cruising — meandering along the peaceful Trent-Severn Waterway or dropping anchor out of the channel for a little solo time (just be sure you’re docked at a lock by sundown!)
Other days are all about slowing down — staying docked at a lock and spending time fishing, kayaking, swimming, playing card games, roasting marshmallows, and maybe a little local exploring too.
Most of our guests end up doing a little bit of both — some adventuring, some relaxing, with plenty of memories made along the way.
Our boats are designed for comfort and ease, with plenty of natural light and all the little touches that make it feel like home.
Everyone loves the top deck. It’s the perfect spot for morning coffee, afternoon snacks, sunset chats, or a little late-night stargazing. Inside, you’ll find plenty of cozy spaces to curl up with a book, sip something warm, or just snuggle in and watch the sun come up.
Basically, renting an H2O houseboat is like having a quaint, comfortable cottage on the water, that moves whenever you want it to!
The number of locks you will go through on your vacation will vary, depending on how much boating you want to do. H2O Getaways HQ is located at the top of Lock 1, and the first 5 locks are very close together, so you’ll have plenty of locking experience by the end of Day 1.
If you’re looking to boat at an easy pace, Campbellford (Ranney Falls – Lock 11/12) is where most folks turn around on a week’s holiday. If you want to do more boating, Hastings (Lock 18) will be your turn around point.
For a 4-day weekend holiday, folks can get to Campbellford if they want to do a lot of boats. If they want a more relaxed pace, Lock 8 is a great turn-around spot.
This end of the Trent-Severn Waterway (Locks 1-21) is more about quiet, space, connection, relaxation and comfort, compared to the Kawarthas at the other end. There is less boat traffic, lots of nature, and no loud party boats keeping you up at night.
If you’re looking for some privacy and quality time with your crew, you can almost always find a secluded spot with the help of the lockmasters. Plus, if you’re a novice captain, the lockmasters will do their best to put you in the lock first or even by yourself, when possible — they’re extremely helpful!
As we mentioned, you don’t need to arrive with a plan for which locks you’ll stop at. But, since most of our guests are happy to have recommendations, we wanted to share 3 of our favourite locks at this end of the Trent-Severn Waterway.
If you’re looking to boat at an easy pace, Campbellford (Ranney Falls – Lock 11/12) is where most folks turn around on a week’s holiday. If you want to do more boating, Hastings (Lock 18) will be your turn around point.
It takes 2 hours to boat from the top of Lock 7 to the bottom of Lock 8, and you’ll enjoy so much beautiful scenery, homes & cottages along the way. This lock is a quiet spot (except for the rooster that can’t tell time!). It’s great for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and most importantly, RELAXING!
You’ll find a fire pit at both the top & bottom, for your stargazing & s’more making enjoyment! (you can bring your own firewood or buy some from Jeremy the Lockmaster.)
There’s so much we love about this spot — lots of green space, stunning sunrises & sunsets, and it feels like you’re at the cottage.
The top and bottom of Lock 10 are both beautiful spots to dock & explore. There is an easy 1km walk to the dam where you’ll find a great picnic spot & like Lock 8, it’s also a good location for swimming, paddleboarding & kayaking.
Plus, if you don’t feel like cooking…you can order pizza to the boat from Apollo’s Pizzeria in Campbellford!
We love Lock 10 because it feels so secluded & you can walk along the gravel road or on the trail to the dam. It’s quiet & there’s so many spots to picnic!
This lock is surrounded by trees, with lots of level ground for tossing a ball for the dog or just good ol’ running around! From here, it’s an easy walk to Healey Falls by way of the Healey Falls Flight Lock. The Flight Lock is within sight and there are some beautiful views!
A week on a houseboat is the perfect mix of freedom, fun, and laid-back living. Whether you’re exploring small towns, cruising through historic locks, or simply soaking up the sunshine from the top deck, every day brings something a little different — and a lot of relaxation.
If a week on a houseboat sounds like your dream vacation, we’d love to have you aboard!
Tap HERE to read more about our boats
Tap HERE for our rates and availability
We’d love to help you plan your perfect getaway on the water!
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