DELAND BOAT RENTAL FIELD GUIDE
A Four-Deck Houseboat That Reads Like a Small Waterfront Suite
A luxury 55' houseboat based in DeLand with three private staterooms, two full baths and room for eight—this guide explains the boat's layout, onboard comforts, and practical details for planning a midweek, weekend or week rental.
A Four-Deck Houseboat That Reads Like a Small Waterfront Suite.
Adventure brief
A Four-Deck Houseboat That Reads Like a Small Waterfront Suite
Moored at Holly Bluff Marina in DeLand, the 55' Executive Southern Belle is a houseboat built for comfort: a large main salon with helm and entertainment set-up, a fully appointed galley, three private staterooms and two full baths. The boat's layered decks—from the shaded forward grilling area to the sun-drenched top-deck loungers—make it equal parts living room and waterfront platform for family and friends.
Set along the waterways near DeLand, Florida, Holly Bluff Marina offers a standout escape on the water with its 55' Executive Southern Belle houseboat. This impeccably appointed vessel redefines comfort for up to eight guests, blending high-end finishes with practical amenities suited for extended trips. The spacious salon features maple woodwork, granite countertops, and a full entertainment system, making it a hub for both gathering and unwinding after days on the water.
Beyond its upscale interior, the Southern Belle is primed for outdoor living. The top deck boasts four loungers perfect for sunbathing or stargazing, while the front deck offers a propane grill and dining setup where friends and family can share meals with scenic views. With three private staterooms—including a luxurious master suite—and two full baths, the houseboat ensures privacy and convenience without sacrificing social spaces.
Holly Bluff Marina anchors this unique offering in DeLand, a gateway to Florida’s central waterways, including the St. Johns River and nearby lakes. The region's mix of calm waters and natural landscapes provides opportunities for boating, fishing, birdwatching, and spotting native wildlife such as herons and turtles. Historically, these waters have supported local communities for centuries, adding layers of cultural texture beneath the serene surface.
Unlike typical rental boats, the Executive Southern Belle thrives as a mobile waterfront lodge, perfect for family vacations or celebratory getaways. Its combination of luxury, space, and on-board amenities makes it one of the few houseboats in the area designed for multi-night stays. This unique platform immerses guests in the evolving scenery of Florida’s aquatic environment, encouraging a blend of relaxation and outdoor adventure that only Holly Bluff Marina can deliver.
Route Schematic
Onboard Route Schematic
Key onboard stops and what you’ll use them for during a stay aboard the Southern Belle.
Main Salon & Galley
Helm, large living room with flat-screen TV, dining table and a galley finished with ceramic tile flooring and granite countertops for meal prep and indoor living.
Forward Deck
Shaded outdoor living with ceiling fan, propane gas grill, ice chest, table and seating for alfresco dining.
Aft Deck & Toy Stowage
Large back deck provides space to stow water toys and access to the top deck via a spiral staircase.
Top Deck & Flybridge
Flybridge with a small canopy allows piloting from above and the top deck includes loungers for sunbathing.
Private Staterooms & Baths
Three private staterooms—including a master with queen bed and TV—and two full baths provide sleeping privacy and onboard hygiene.
The vessel accommodates up to eight guests; confirm capacity limits and any operator requirements with Holly Bluff Marina before booking.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Three Staterooms, Two Baths — Sleeps Up to Eight
The Southern Belle offers a master with queen bed and TV, a center stateroom with a full bed, a lower stateroom with a queen, plus a full-size futon in the salon—combined sleeping for up to eight guests—and two full bathrooms for onboard convenience.
Layered Outdoor Spaces for Grilling, Storing Toys and Sunbathing
A forward deck with ceiling fan, propane grill, ice chest and seating sets up outdoor meals; the large aft deck provides stowage for water toys and a spiral staircase to the top deck, where loungers and a flybridge canopy offer sun and shade.
Salon Comforts and Flexible Handling
Inside, expect a spacious salon with dining area, flat-screen TV and a galley finished with granite counters and maple woodwork; the boat can be piloted from the interior helm or from the flybridge on the top deck, and is equipped with central air and heat.
What the day feels like
What the Experience Feels Like
The Southern Belle reads like a floating house: a central living area for shared meals and TV, private staterooms that sleep up to eight, and multiple outdoor decks that shift the trip between shaded grilling and open-air sunbathing. It’s a rental designed for lingering rather than sprinting—choose from midweek, weekend or full-week options to match your schedule.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this boat works best for—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Booking choices include midweek, weekend and full-week rental options.
The boat is based at Holly Bluff Marina; meet at 2280 Hontoon Road, DeLand, FL 32720 for embarkation.
The vessel includes a propane grill, ice chest, table and chairs on the forward deck, loungers on the top deck and space on the aft deck for stowing water toys.
Three private staterooms (including a master with queen bed), a futon in the salon and two full baths provide sleeping for up to eight people.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How many people can the Southern Belle accommodate?
The boat can sleep up to eight people.
How many staterooms and bathrooms are on board?
There are three private staterooms and two full baths.
What rental durations are offered?
Midweek, weekend and full-week rental options are available.
Is there outdoor cooking available?
Yes—the forward deck features a propane gas grill, table and seating for outdoor meals.
Can the boat be piloted from the top deck?
Yes—the boat has a flybridge on the top deck so it can be driven from inside or from up top; a small canopy provides shading for the captain on the flybridge.
Does the boat have climate control?
The vessel is equipped with central air and heat.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-12T12:12:46.591Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.