Island Houseboats
Island Houseboats
4.1
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.1
12 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
2
johnsonp
Sydney4 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
We had a wonderful time on our houseboat, the lake is very scenic and there are some lovely spots to pull in for the night. We especially liked Sandy Beach.
The boat was well prepared and equipped, and our ops manager Jeff was super helpful.
Thoroughly recommended as a stress-reducing exercise!
The boat was well prepared and equipped, and our ops manager Jeff was super helpful.
Thoroughly recommended as a stress-reducing exercise!
Written June 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stacey w
Victoria, Canada4 contributions
May 2016 • Family
So Amazing, 10 of us went out on a 3 day weekend.
Left the marina and enjoyed our time at Sandy Beach.
Did some cruising around the lake, Cant believe there's
90 km of shore line, Absolutely stunning views.
Customer Services was great, Definitely highly recommend this !!!
Left the marina and enjoyed our time at Sandy Beach.
Did some cruising around the lake, Cant believe there's
90 km of shore line, Absolutely stunning views.
Customer Services was great, Definitely highly recommend this !!!
Written June 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brucejaguar
Victoria, Canada4 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
We just returned from Cowichan Lake after spending three glorious days on one of IHB's house boats. We were two adult males along with four teenage kids. The lake was gorgeous the water warm and crystal clear and the house boat was extremely spacious and comfortable. The quality if service we were provided by Jeff at IHB's was 'off the charts' good! We had a minor problem with the fresh water supply which eventually resolved itself, but Jeff almost insisted on finding us on the lake and resolve it, despite the fact that we were at least 10 miles up the lake from him and at 'cocktail' hour, no less! Highly recommend! You can bet we'll be back...soon! : )
Written September 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicky P
nanaimo, Canada4 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Had a great time but houseboats are super old and outdated. Could definitely use a make over. The boat we were on had 12 person capacity; however no way you could sleep 12. We were a group of 8 and were very snug.
Hot tub: not much of a hot tub...very small. Its more like a kiddy pool.
There is an oven on the boat but only one tray and it doesnt even fit in the oven.
One of our biggest issues is that the website says minimum 3 nights for long weekends, which is what we wanted; however, the 3 night is actually considered friday to sunday so after a year of planning, we learned that the booking was actually only for 2 nights! This needs to be changed...so confusing.
With the extravagant amount of money you have to pay, it bums me out that you have to do so much cleaning at the end of the trip. For this cost, you could go to Mexico!! And it didnt even feel super clean when we arrived.
We spent over an hour just waiting for orientation to finish (which is fine) but we felt we should have been able to at least move all our stuff to the boat while waiting. Its a bit of a walk to haul all your stuff down.
Overall, super fun...just think for the price the company could make some changes.
Hot tub: not much of a hot tub...very small. Its more like a kiddy pool.
There is an oven on the boat but only one tray and it doesnt even fit in the oven.
One of our biggest issues is that the website says minimum 3 nights for long weekends, which is what we wanted; however, the 3 night is actually considered friday to sunday so after a year of planning, we learned that the booking was actually only for 2 nights! This needs to be changed...so confusing.
With the extravagant amount of money you have to pay, it bums me out that you have to do so much cleaning at the end of the trip. For this cost, you could go to Mexico!! And it didnt even feel super clean when we arrived.
We spent over an hour just waiting for orientation to finish (which is fine) but we felt we should have been able to at least move all our stuff to the boat while waiting. Its a bit of a walk to haul all your stuff down.
Overall, super fun...just think for the price the company could make some changes.
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Preet D
1 contribution
Aug 2016 • Family
Save yourself the headache, go to the Schuswaps, Ossoyus, or Kukanusa Lakes (no more expensive). I'm sure people may have had a good experience but that was because, luckily, nothing had gone wrong. They have no ability to to deal with any issues without being extremely intrusive and disruptive to your vacation. After giving my family the worst vacation we've ever had they told us we were expecting to much. I guess a gassed up, ready, clean and working boat was too much to ask for. No apology or compensation of any kind was even suggested, let alone offered. We wound up cleaning and repairing their boat by the rep's own admission. Do what you want, but be warned!
Written May 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Mr Dhami,
YOU ARE LEAVING A REVIEW FROM 6 YEARS AGO ( at least that's what you've claimed on another review site)
Since then we have taken over "On-Site Operations Manager" for Island Houseboats so commenting directly to your review would not be right because we were not there at that time, but we do need to address it for the sake of the Business as a name. It really is not a case of just trying to look better but to Actually be the best we can be. We truly thrive on making sure that every guest (including children) leaves here with highlights and memorable moments for a lifetime.
May we invite you to other social media outlets for REVIEWS of our utmost dedication to serving the highest level of customer service as possible.
On behalf of all of us at Island Houseboats,
we would love the opportunity to be able to make your next houseboat vacation better next time. If you are willing to give us that chance we would be more than pleased to help make that happen for you.
Sincerely
Jeff
On-Site Operations Manager
Written May 21, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
catharinaj917
Stratford, Canada30 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
We rented the house boat for 4 days in July. It was a family holiday Grandparents, Kids and grand kids. As we are campers this was a very nice change up. We added the hot tub to our trip and that was an added bonus as the weather was not very warm. When going make sure to bring food supplies for your whole trip as only a few places were available on the lake to stock up with more. We brought our own kayaks and that gave some additional fun on the lake. Would highly recommend this type of holiday.
Written July 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeannine G
Long Beach, WA34 contributions
Sept 2019
3 Sisters, of a "certain age",wanted memorable trip together before anyone was too decrepit to travel. Jeff is an absolute delight & we want to adopt him as our own. Patient, kind, great sense of humor. We called Summer Moon home for 4 days in mid Sept & pretty much had the lake to ourselves.If a 66 , 76, & 79 yr old can drive that boat & beach it safely, then anyone can. But pay attention to the directions Jeff gives you & have someone in decent shape who can jump off the bow, run up to the beach with heavy ropes in hand, & tie that Mother up before she sways sideways. :D Kitchen equipment/utensils,was well stocked, barbie worked fine, beds comfy enough.Anyone with mobility concerns may have trouble traversing the ladder to upper deck & the hot tub. We shall,however, NOT share getting IN & OUT of said hot tub.Jeff was available for follow up phone calls,helpful in every way. I would suggest instructions perhaps come with actual pictures besides typed pages..For sure, write them down as he explains or you may get a brain fog & forget which toggle goes to what. (If you're under age of 60, probably doesn't apply to you) Lake is gorgeous, water clear as can be, & hardier souls from neighboring boat were seen taking a dip..but they were from Winnipeg.Also, perhaps compare the map on board with Google Earth images, as the coastline is iffy at best & we were unsure of where to beach safely.You can traverse the whole lake in one afternoon; simply return to a favored spot &stay put.
Written September 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJL
Victoria, Canada152 contributions
Aug 2019
Wanted to stay on the Island and explore some more of the beauty it has to offer. Wow - glad we did this. Booked this holiday a bit late with another family. We were a total of 7 people and managed to get a Max8 boat - spacious for our group. I think doing this trip anytime would have been a treat but we totally lucked out with amazing weather the week we were on the water (28C everyday)! This is a massive lake with ample room even for all the weekend traffic and boating. Lots of places to get away from everyone and enjoy tranquility. Kids (all under 11) had an fantastic time - swimming, beachcombing, etc.
The GREAT: Amazing, amazing, amazing lake. Crystal clear water in some areas, warm, clean. Just about every spot on this body of water was paradise! Jeff's customer service is A+++. He does his best to make sure you have a great experience. Explains things clearly and goes out of is way.
TIP: Head to the further part of the lake around Shaw Creek. Daytime be on the North Side of the Lake to get all the sun. Moorage on the South Side so you get nice warm sun in the morning. Even though we had hot days, it really cools down at night. Close your windows and have a decent sleeping bag. Try to stay away from Sandy Beach - it's close but also busy.
Cell coverage - we didn't care so much as we wanted to disconnect but in case you need Jeff's help, south side has better coverage and the east half of the lake.
TIP: If you have kids, bring lots of different games (board games, card games). There is sometime only so much swimming you can do and there will be colder times you can't convince them to go in the water.
TIP: Bring a clothesline with lots of pins so you can hang your wet stuff. It gets windy on the lake - we had lots of stuff fall off the sides because we just hung on the railings.
TIP: Fishing - lots of cruising (BIG) trout. Bring a rod (Jeff rents for $20/day). Shaw Creek seems to be the place.
TIP: If you have kids - bring extra toilet paper.
The NOT SO GREAT: Some aspects of the boat could have been improved (see below).
IMPORTANT: This lake can get windy and choppy. Don't drive west through the Narrows during these times! Also, be prepared for rocking around at night. First night you feel like your drifting but if you tied properly then nothing to worry about!
Booking: Jeff seems to be a 1-person show. He's fast to respond with answers. He initially did not have any openings but tried his best to fit us in. After a first failed attempt to find a date, he came back and let us know he added a boat to his fleet and we were good to go! The website is ok but could definitely include more photos of the inside/outside of the boat, especially layout (e.g. sleeping arrangements with multiple guests). There is a gallery on the website but it doesn't tell you what type of boat the photos come from. Read the "what's included" as it is very clear. FEES: Note them. Expect to pay ~$150 for a full week ($1.38/L). We stayed moored for 4 of 6 nights, but did travel the entire length of the lake at slow speed. ~$40/sewage dump.
The boat: Our Max8 did not come with hot tub and was a fairly older boat - you can see a lot of wear on the in/outside. This boat *IS* finicky. Older Volvo Penta Engine - can't pilot from the upper deck. On a cold start, we had to warm up in idle ~2000rpm for 15 mins or else it would cut out when you shifted into reverse/forward. Throttle was also touchy. In the end we figured it out but it took some trial/error and luckily never flooded the engine. Shower head did not work on our boat. The electrical was finicky too. First day we had no electricity. Had to text Jeff and he tried to walk me through turning on the inverter (not intuitive), etc. Unfortunately, we were in a cell coverage dead spot but managed to send a text to Jeff. Long story short, had to shut all the electrical charge down for 30 minutes and the rebooted. Could not get back in touch with Jeff but he came out the next morning to see if we needed anything (we were on the far north side of the lake so it must have taken him at least a hr to come out!). I found the battery did not hold much charge. We only had it on at night for lights just before bed or quick warm up for food but it went low pretty quick. Also could not have more than one outlet drawing power or the entire system would overload. Charging is done while main engine on or with a gas powered generator. Charging was also finicky. And for some odd reason the fridge would alarm (nice sized fridge but tiny freezer - bring LOTS of ice!). Large cooler provided on upper deck. Outdoor slide was tonnes of fun! Canopy was perfect for our sunny days. The step ladder coming out of the water is way too short - some kind of extension is needed. BBQ was great - did almost all cooking outside.
Will do this again!
The GREAT: Amazing, amazing, amazing lake. Crystal clear water in some areas, warm, clean. Just about every spot on this body of water was paradise! Jeff's customer service is A+++. He does his best to make sure you have a great experience. Explains things clearly and goes out of is way.
TIP: Head to the further part of the lake around Shaw Creek. Daytime be on the North Side of the Lake to get all the sun. Moorage on the South Side so you get nice warm sun in the morning. Even though we had hot days, it really cools down at night. Close your windows and have a decent sleeping bag. Try to stay away from Sandy Beach - it's close but also busy.
Cell coverage - we didn't care so much as we wanted to disconnect but in case you need Jeff's help, south side has better coverage and the east half of the lake.
TIP: If you have kids, bring lots of different games (board games, card games). There is sometime only so much swimming you can do and there will be colder times you can't convince them to go in the water.
TIP: Bring a clothesline with lots of pins so you can hang your wet stuff. It gets windy on the lake - we had lots of stuff fall off the sides because we just hung on the railings.
TIP: Fishing - lots of cruising (BIG) trout. Bring a rod (Jeff rents for $20/day). Shaw Creek seems to be the place.
TIP: If you have kids - bring extra toilet paper.
The NOT SO GREAT: Some aspects of the boat could have been improved (see below).
IMPORTANT: This lake can get windy and choppy. Don't drive west through the Narrows during these times! Also, be prepared for rocking around at night. First night you feel like your drifting but if you tied properly then nothing to worry about!
Booking: Jeff seems to be a 1-person show. He's fast to respond with answers. He initially did not have any openings but tried his best to fit us in. After a first failed attempt to find a date, he came back and let us know he added a boat to his fleet and we were good to go! The website is ok but could definitely include more photos of the inside/outside of the boat, especially layout (e.g. sleeping arrangements with multiple guests). There is a gallery on the website but it doesn't tell you what type of boat the photos come from. Read the "what's included" as it is very clear. FEES: Note them. Expect to pay ~$150 for a full week ($1.38/L). We stayed moored for 4 of 6 nights, but did travel the entire length of the lake at slow speed. ~$40/sewage dump.
The boat: Our Max8 did not come with hot tub and was a fairly older boat - you can see a lot of wear on the in/outside. This boat *IS* finicky. Older Volvo Penta Engine - can't pilot from the upper deck. On a cold start, we had to warm up in idle ~2000rpm for 15 mins or else it would cut out when you shifted into reverse/forward. Throttle was also touchy. In the end we figured it out but it took some trial/error and luckily never flooded the engine. Shower head did not work on our boat. The electrical was finicky too. First day we had no electricity. Had to text Jeff and he tried to walk me through turning on the inverter (not intuitive), etc. Unfortunately, we were in a cell coverage dead spot but managed to send a text to Jeff. Long story short, had to shut all the electrical charge down for 30 minutes and the rebooted. Could not get back in touch with Jeff but he came out the next morning to see if we needed anything (we were on the far north side of the lake so it must have taken him at least a hr to come out!). I found the battery did not hold much charge. We only had it on at night for lights just before bed or quick warm up for food but it went low pretty quick. Also could not have more than one outlet drawing power or the entire system would overload. Charging is done while main engine on or with a gas powered generator. Charging was also finicky. And for some odd reason the fridge would alarm (nice sized fridge but tiny freezer - bring LOTS of ice!). Large cooler provided on upper deck. Outdoor slide was tonnes of fun! Canopy was perfect for our sunny days. The step ladder coming out of the water is way too short - some kind of extension is needed. BBQ was great - did almost all cooking outside.
Will do this again!
Written August 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan G
2 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
I just came Back from my 3rd trip and Have a 4th booked for next Month Jeff makes sure your well advised and able to Run the boat and all the Equipment aboard so you have the best House Boating Experience you can. The Beaches the Fishing the Scenery and The professional treatment you Get From Island Houseboats Can't Be Matched in my Opinion
Written May 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stephanie s
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Friends
Do not rent from this company. The boat was old, the toilet didn't work, the window was broken, they didn't have an anchor for safety, there were dead bugs everywhere, and the customer service was horrible. Over all, it is not worth the outrageous cost!
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for your review. We apologize for the delay, as we do not monitor these review sites.
We looked up your reservation and notes taken from your return. Bachelorette group, put way to much toilet paper down toilet without sufficient water, which caused the macerator to jam, a quick text message and we would have been out to fix it) . The nice thing about these big boats, is that there is 2 washrooms, temporary problem solved. Someone in your group popped out the window to access the upper deck and didn't put it back in properly. The anchor is interesting cause all our boats have anchors. Would love to address the customer service and dead bugs, if you look at any of our other reviews, you will see we thrive on great customer services and nothing anywhere about dead bugs, obviously if these were true then they would be mentioned in other reviews. As for rates, you choose the biggest boat at prime time of year, you didn't complain about the rate when you booked the boat, there are a lot smaller boats at a lower price. It is to bad that you didn't mention any of this to our staff upon returning to the marina.
We would love the opportunity to have you out again !
Written February 4, 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi Ethan,
Sorry no just paddles
Written June 14, 2018
Do you have any pictures of the house boats. How easy are they to handle . Note my son and I are very familiar,Iwith sailing yacht cruising . Thanks and best regards,
John, Stanger
P's . In July is there a problem on the lake with insect s/ flies?
Cost for a family of 4 in July
Written January 14, 2017
Hi John,
Thank you for your interest in a Island Houseboats Vacation.
Going to try and get some pictures uploaded on this site today.
You can always go directly to our website and find pictures or email me directly.
The boats a fairly easy to handle, we offer our guests practice before heading out on their trip. Reading you have experience in boating, you'll be just fine.
Regarding insects/flies, we have never had any complaints about them, but that being said you are outside on a lake surrounded by forest/ trees in the summer. Id recommend bringing bug spray.
Depending on your length of stay you can find all our rates are on our website.
Hope this helps.
Best regards
Written January 14, 2017
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