10 Things You Can Enjoy During Your Summer Houseboat Rental
Planning a houseboat vacation this summer? You may be wondering what all there is to do while embarking on a week-long waterfront adventure. Here at Callville Bay Resort and Marina, we’ve made a list of the top 10 things you can enjoy during your summer houseboat rental.
1. Water sports
Participating in water sports can really elevate your houseboat experience, especially for the adrenaline junkies of the group. If you’re looking to do some tubing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, or water skiing during your trip, you’ll want to rent a powerboat along with your houseboat. This will provide you with the speed and tow power that you’ll need to participate in those water sports. Other activities, like paddleboarding, wakesurfing, and skimboarding do not require additional watercraft (just a board).
You may be wondering, “Can anyone drive?” and the answer is that most everyone can! Certain vehicles, like personal watercraft, do require a valid driver’s license to operate and you must be 21 years of age or older to rent. Other water sports, like wakeboarding and waterskiing have no age requirements.
2. Game night
Schedules can become a little hectic at home, meaning that game night might not always happen on a regular basis. Forgoing this special bonding opportunity can undoubtedly be disappointing for all parties involved. On a houseboat, however, you have all the time in the world to spend with each other. Make it a goal of yours to play at least one game a day, either with your spouse or your kids (or both!). This will certainly be a fun experience and you’ll be creating lasting memories that you can look back on and laugh about.
Ideas for what games to play on your houseboat rental include Monopoly, Pictionary, Sorry!, Uno, Yahtzee, Apples to Apples, Candyland, Clue and Rummikub. If you’re looking to play something other than a board game, consider I Spy, Speed (card game), Charades, Twister, HedBandz, Hide-n-Seek, or you can even create your own game!
3. Stargazing
Step outside your home tonight and take a look up at the sky. You might see a few twinkling stars, but not nearly as many as you would see on the deck of your summer houseboat rental. Take advantage of the unobstructed views and calming darkness when you find a seat on the deck of your houseboat after the sun goes down. Grab your favorite glass of wine (or savory beverage) and admire the peacefulness of the evening. You may even spot a few shooting stars if you’re lucky.
4. Fishing
Fishing is a huge deal for many Lake Mead goers. In fact, it’s one of the top lakes to go bass fishing in the southwest. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just casting your reel for the first time, Lake Mead offers plenty of opportunities to make that award-winning catch of the day.
Keep in mind though that Lake Mead spans across two states requiring two separate fishing licenses. It’s important to pay attention to where you cast your line so you aren’t crossing into the wrong territory if you don’t happen to have both fishing licenses.
5. Swimming
When the weather’s hot and you’re looking for the fastest way to cool down, there’s nothing better to do than to jump in the water and go swimming. Bring your favorite pool floats and noodles and enjoy a refreshing dip in the water. Kids especially love this activity because they have lots of room to splash around and practice their cannonballs. As an added bonus, each of our houseboats come with a water slide that extends from the top of the boat to the water, so you can spend countless hours perfecting your pencil dive.
6. Sandcastle building
Didn’t think you would see sandcastle-building on the list, did you? Once you’ve gone ashore for the evening, the beach is yours to enjoy. Many of our guests like to bring along their sand toys to keep the kiddos busy while dinner is being made. Encourage the kids to get creative with their sand creations and don’t hesitate to get down there and make a few structures yourself. Remember, no one is ever too old to build a sandcastle.
7. Campfires
Houseboating is a lot like camping. You get to enjoy many of the same great things like nature, adventure, and even nightly campfires. The best part about renting a houseboat though is that you can shower off that campfire smell before you head into your cozy bed.
When planning campfires into your nightly routine, make sure to bring all the tools and equipment you need to start and maintain a campfire. Also, it’s important to practice safe distancing from the boat and other objects that could catch fire. Pro tip: don’t forget to pack the ingredients to make plenty of s’mores!
8. Kayaking
Renting a kayak (in addition to your houseboat) is a great way to explore the smaller channels and coves that a larger vessel otherwise wouldn’t be able to reach. It’s also a great upper body workout if you’re looking to stay active on your trip.
Kayaking is best done near shores so you can hop out and have a beach picnic lunch or hike around to see if you can spot any wildlife. We always recommend that our guests bring their cameras or phones to capture some of those breathtaking sights you will inevitably run into. It might be worth investing in a waterproof covering just in case your electronics get splashed or happen to fall out of your hand.
9. Sunbathing
Soaking up the sun while relaxing on the deck of your houseboat can be therapeutic. It’s the perfect “in-between” activity to catch up on some rest before your next big adventure. Do keep in mind though that even while sunbathing it’s important to protect your skin and drink plenty of water. Many of our guests aren’t accustomed to the always present sunshine that could cause nasty sunburns.
Before you begin sunbathing, apply plenty of sunscreen to exposed skin, wear a hat and sunglasses, and dress in your lightest clothing to sit comfortably under the rays. We want you to have the best experience ever so you don’t go home with itchy, sunburnt skin.
10. Sightseeing
One of the many perks of a summer houseboat rental is the ability to sightsee for days on end. Sure, you could enjoy a few hours of sightseeing while on a speedboat or fishing boat, but you won’t get the full extent of it unless you stay for at least 3 days. Renting a houseboat for a week allows you to take your time and carefully peruse the lake from shore to shore, ensuring that you catch every glistening sight that nature has to offer along the way.
Curious where the best place to rent a houseboat is this summer? We may be a little biased, but Lake Mead is one of the top houseboating lakes in the Southwest, and for many reasons. Take a look at our fleet and decide which boat is right for you. If you have any questions, or simply want to know the cost, please feel free to give us a call at 800-255-5561 or visit our website.
