The Pacific Northwest is widely known for its delightfully charming floating homes (a term that’s also called interchangeably floating houses, and sometimes houseboats, which would be incorrect). We see these beautiful homes all the time on river kayak routes in Portland, Oregon, but there are also some iconic floating homes up in the Seattle, Washington area.

As we mentioned in our previous posts about Floating Homes Pro’s and Con’s: Is It Right For You? and 5 Charming PNW Floating Houses to Rent on AirBnB, we’re considering buying a floating house in the Pacific Northwest in the next year or two. So we’ve got these beautiful and unique homes on our mind. (I even booked my first floating home AirBnB rental stay myself – stay tuned, and I’ll share about the experience this summer).

So in today’s post, we’re sharing the scoop some some iconic, famous floating houses in our region, and where you can kayak to see them – while respecting owners’ privacy from a distance on the water.

Here's where you can paddle for a glimpse of floating home history and culture…

The Wave House, Portland, Oregon

Location & Description

Nestled on the serene waters of the Willamette River, near Ross Island, The Wave House is an architectural marvel that captures the fluidity and grace of water itself. It’s been featured in Dwell Magazine as well as other media publications. Designed with sustainability and harmony in mind, this floating home is a testament to modern design blending with nature… and it’s one of my favorite floating homes I’ve seen to-date!

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Kayaking Experience

To see The Wave House floating home, paddle along the Willamette River (and you’ll also a chance to explore the natural beauty and wildlife of nearby Ross Island). Be prepared for some waves, river current, and boat wakes when you cross the Willamette to paddle by the moorage, but this is a pretty beginner and intermediate flat water kayaker friendly route. Bring your own kayak and launch from Willamette Park, cross the river towards Ross Island, and you’ll see the floating house moorage on your rightside. You can also rent a kayak from Portland Kayak Company and talk to the local paddle shop experts about this route (like we did – and bonus, they provide a free kayak cart to use).

Floating Home from Sleepless in Seattle, Seattle, Washington

Location & Description

Located on Lake Union – which could be the floating house hotspot of the Pacific Northwest – this iconic floating home became famous through the romantic film Sleepless in Seattle. It epitomizes the dreamy allure of Seattle's floating homes, with its picturesque setting and charming design – and had me hooked on the romantic notion of waterfront living. Fun fact: The house interior was completely remodeled back in 2018, so the interior is now much different than the movie scenes! See some pics here.

Kayaking Experience

Kayaking on Lake Union allows visitors to admire the famous Sleepless in Seattle floating house from a unique vantage point. The lake's flat waters are ideal for a leisurely paddle for kayakers of all levels, and you can even enjoy views of the Seattle city skyline.

The Aqua Star, Portland, Oregon

Location & Description

Portlandia, anyone? Or maybe you recognize this floating home from HGTV’s Extreme Homes show? The Aqua Star is a famous modern, aluminum home that was built back in the 1980s. Often recognized by its “outer space vibes,” this unique floating home’s current moorage is a bit of a mystery from our research… let’s dive in.

Back in 2020, the Aqua Star floating house was mentioned on Realtor.com as being located in Portland (it was on the market for $850,000 at the time at the Oregon Yacht Club – which now, with post-Pandemic housing prices in our area, sorta sounds like a deal).

But in 2022… the house floated away on a new adventure and was replaced by another floating house at the moorage, according to Oregon Live. We think the Aqua Star house is now moored on the Columbia River, but if you’ve seen it out in the wild, let us know! We’ve yet to spot this now-elusive iconic house ourselves by kayak…

Other floating home sighting opportunities in the Pacific Northwest

While not currently locations of “famous” floating homes, we regularly admire the beauty and charm of these floating houses from our kayaks… here’s where to go if these unique homes are your thing:

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, Washington

One of our favorite river kayaking routes near Portland, Oregon, you can paddle by about a dozen floating homes, and have an excellent chance of observing beautiful Pacific Northwest wildlife species too.

This calm water kayaking location is located on Lake River, a tributary to the Columbia River. Over the years, we’ve spotted spotted several black-tailed deer (even babies and a resting stag) and several osprey and many bald eagles flying overhead.

Always remember respectful kayaking

Exploring the Pacific Northwest by kayak opens up a world of beauty, tranquility, and architectural wonder. But remember, while it's thrilling to see these famous floating homes up close, it's essential to maintain a respectful distance to preserve the privacy of their habitants and maintain tranquility of these residential moorages. Don’t paddle close to the houses, and never, ever land on their house dock (unless explicitly invited by the owner). Happy paddling!

About Flatwater Kayak Club

Flatwater Kayak Club is a leading woman-owned online platform dedicated to supporting beginner and intermediate kayakers in the Pacific Northwest. Our company founder, a former writer for The National Geographic Channel and a current ACA member, guides our mission with her passion for kayaking, nature, and storytelling.