I don’t know about you but when I think of the best houseboating locations, I think in terms of the midwest, Lake Cumberland, Lake Powell, Lake Shasta and oh, this list could go on and on. But let me tell you, our friends to the North have their own magical hotspots that are definitely worth checking out.

One of my favorites is Waterway Houseboats in British Columbia on Shuswap Lake because their rental fleet is something to be amazed by. It’s the perfect way to visit Canada on the comfort of a houseboat.

The Boats

All of their rentals were built in 1998 or later and are equipped with all the amenities you need to make your family feel right at home. They offer boats that range from 40 feet to 94 feet. While the rates vary by boat model and time of year, you can spend as little as $1,335 for a four-day rental in the beginning of the season. As a boat at this price can sleep up to ten people, that’s less than $15 per day per person. Obviously fuel and propane costs are an additional expense, but you get the idea.

Most often, your rental boat will be equipped with a bimini top, rear deck shower, complimentary high speed internet hook-up, TV/CD player, fish finder, DVD, water slide, 4-8 person hot tub, propane barbecue, VHF radio, fridge, stove, swim grid, child resistant railing, fully equipped kitchen, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, filtered water, cooler, 110 Volt power converters, microwave and private staterooms. Some of the higher end retails will have a dishwasher, double fridges, at least two bathrooms, fireplace and washer and dryer setup.

The Lake

Shuswap Lake is a natural lake with no dams on it. It is a deep lake but warms up to a beautiful 75 degrees in July and August. You will find people swimming in the lake from the middle of May right up until mid- or even late September. For the angler in your group, fishing is excellent in the early spring and late fall The activities on the lake are only limited by your own personal desires.  Shuswap Lake offers three golf courses, white-water rafting, fine dining, taverns and pubs, parasailing, jet skiing, water skiing, scuba diving, hiking, fishing, mountain bike trails, historical sites to visit, archaeological sites and of course beautiful beaches. Simply moor your houseboat and then do all of the activities that interest you before heading back to the boat.

Shuswap Lake has over 650 miles of shoreline. It’s is filled with beaches are large enough to accommodate several houseboats, yet it has areas that are perfect for just your boat.  

It Gets Big

Two of their biggest houseboats were specifically built for large groups. In 2007, Waterway Houseboats added the Legacy Class Houseboat, which is a houseboat built for Groups. The vessel itself is an amazing 94 feet by 24 feet wide and can hold up to 30 people. The company added a second one in 2008, making the Legacies the two largest vessels on Shuswap Lake.

Waterway History

Waterway Houseboat Vacations has been bringing people together on spectacular Shuswap Lake since 1968. Not only do they rent boats to vacationing groups and families, but they also design, build and customize the boats in Sicamous, B.C. boat yard. Exactly as they do with their own fleet, they build the same high-quality boats for investors, private owners and other fleet operators across North America. This company has an amazing 30 years of operational history to draw from and prides themselves for their excellence in marine engineering and proactive maintenance program. Whether you've been in the industry for years or it's your very first time houseboating, Waterway knows how to treat you right. If you are going to Shuswap Lake, you will want do to it on a Waterway houseboat..

The same attention to detail that goes into the boat builds for private owners, goes into every boat included in the rental fleet. In fact, many of the boats Waterway rents are actually owned by private investors. Customized and equipped with many extras, the company manages the boats for them and ensures they are maintained to Waterway's high standards. A mandatory upgrade program ensures that quality is maintained across every boat in the fleet. Starting with an innovative marine construction and engineering process, each Waterway houseboats is built to last.

The Environment

Waterway Houseboats is committed to preserving the sparkling waters of Shuswap Lake and the surrounding area. This community has been a wonderful home and the company strives to protect it for the next generation. Some of their many initiatives include biodegradable soaps for guest to use, a waste-management system and a comprehensive recycling program. Plus, a superior battery charging system ensures that onboard electrical systems are run as efficiently as possible. Constantly on the lookout for new ways to enhance the environmental performance, all Waterway staff, from dockside to front office, share this commitment.

Rates at a Glance                      SPRING          VALUE           SUMMER       FALL

MIRAGE 40-sleeps 10 - 2000 model  

Midweek 4 Day                       $1,335             $2,060             $2,530             $1,360

Weekend 3 Day                       $1,365             $2,060             $2,295             $1,440

Week 7 Days                           $1,985             $2,915             $3,890             $2,140

MIRAGE 42 - sleeps 10 - 2004 model

 Midweek 4 Day                      $1,425             $2,290             $2,810             $1,510

Weekend 3 Day                       $1,515             $2,290             $2,550             $1,600

Week 7 Days                           $2,205             $3,240             $4,320             $2,375

MIRAGE 44 - sleeps 10 - 2004 model

Midweek 4 Day                       $1,425             $2,290             $2,810             $1,510

Weekend 3 Day                       $1,515             $2,290             $2,550             $1,600

Week 7 Days                           $2,205             $3,240             $4,320             $2,375

MIRAGE 54 - sleeps 14 - 1998-2000 model

Midweek 4 Day                       $1,640             $2,635             $3,230             $1,740

Weekend 3 Day                       $1,740             $2,635             $2,930             $1,840

Week 7 Days                           $2,535             $3,730             $4,970             $2,735

MIRAGE 56 - sleeps 14 - 2000-2005 model  

Midweek 4 Day                       $1,825             $2,930             $3,590             $1,935

Weekend 3 Day                       $1,935             $2,930             $3,260             $2,045

Week 7 Days                           $2,820             $4,145             $5,525             $3,040

MIRAGE 65 - sleeps 22 - 2000-2001 model  

Midweek 4 Day                       $2,280             $3,665             $4,495             $2,420

Weekend 3 Day                       $2,425             $3,665             $4,080             $2,560

Week 7 Days                           $3,525             $5,185             $6,915             $3,805

MIRAGE 65U - sleeps 22 - 2001 model         

Midweek 4 Day                       $2,495             $4,010             $4,915             $2,650

Weekend 3 Day                       $2,650             $4,010             $4,465             $2,800

Week 7 Days                           $3,860             $5,675             $7,565             $4,160

MIRAGE 66 - sleeps 24 - 2002 model

Midweek 4 Day                       $3,630             $5,825             $7,145             $3,850

Weekend 3 Day                       $3,850             $5,825             $6,485             $4,070

Week 7 Days                           $5,605             $8,245             $10,995           $6,045

GENESIS 60 - sleeps 16 - 2004-2006 model 

Midweek 4 Day                       $2,810             $4,515             $5,540             $2,980

Weekend 3 Day                       $2,985             $4,515             $5,025             $3,150

Week 7 Days                           $4,345             $6,390             $8,520             $4,685

Genesis 66 - sleeps 24 - 2005-2008 model     

Midweek 4 Day                       $4,225 $6,780 $8,315 $4,480

Weekend 3 Day                       $4,480 $6,780 $7,550 $4,735

Week 7 Days                           $6,525 $9,595 $12,795$7,035

GENESIS 70 - sleeps 16 - 2003-2004 model 

Midweek 4 Day                       $2,640             $4,235             $5,195             $2,800

Weekend 3 Day                       $2,800             $4,235             $4,715             $2,960

Week 7 Days                           $4,075             $5,995             $7,995             $4,395

GENESIS 75 - sleeps 20 - Tube Slide -2004-2005 model

Midweek 4 Day                       $3,520             $5,650             $6,930             $3,735

Weekend 3 Day                       $3,735             $5,650             $6,290             $3,945

Week 7 Days                           $5,440             $8,000             $10,665           $5,865

GENESIS 75 - sleeps 20 - Regular Slide 2003 model

Midweek 4 Day                       $3,320             $5,335             $6,545             $3,525

Weekend 3 Day                       $3,525             $5,335             $5,940             $3,725

Week 7 Days                           $5,135             $7,550             $10,065           $5,535

LEGACY 94 - sleeps 30 2007-2008 model    

Midweek 4 Day                       $6,600             $10,600           $12,995           $7,000

Weekend 3 Day                       $7,000             $10,600           $11,800           $7,400

Week 7 Days                           $10,200           $14,995           $19,995           $10,995