Downtown Austin Sunset Kayak Tour with 1.5 Million Bats
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Austin, USA
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
If you want to see the hordes of bats that fly through Austin each night but don’t want to do so from the Congress Avenue Bridge, book this Downtown Austin Sunset and Bats Kayak Tour that lets you view the bats and the beautiful sunset from the water. A guide leads you and others out in your kayaks and knows the best areas to stop for viewing. Plus, all necessary equipment is provided for you.
- Go for a fun kayak tour throughout the water near Downtown Austin
- See the bats that fly nightly through the city from one of the best viewing areas
- Take in stunning views of the sunset from your kayak
- Kayak, paddles, lifejacket, and lights are provided with this tour
What's Included
- We provide the kayak, paddles, life jackets and lights. We also take high quality photos for you and send them to you at the end of the night.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 1610 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741, USA
This link has the info you need including a google maps link, a video tour of where to park and meet me UNDER THE BRIDGE and more. The exact start time changes with the sunset so contact us if you need further assistance.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Austin
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Carrie_L
This has been on our bucket list for years and it did not disappoint! The experience was magical and the guides were helpful and informative. We felt safe and supported the whole time. Kayaking back, we were able to enjoy the lights of downtown and have a peaceful paddle back. Would absolutely do it again!
Reviews
4.9
based on 203 reviews
Carrie_L, Apr 2026
This has been on our bucket list for years and it did not disappoint! The experience was magical and the guides were helpful and informative. We felt safe and supported the whole time. Kayaking back, we were able to enjoy the lights of downtown and have a peaceful paddle back. Would absolutely do it again!
Ejd1056, Apr 2026
Although it seems a little disorganised getting everyone onto the water, the trip was very good. The guide- John- was very knowledgeable and we saw lots of bats.
A word of warning though, it is quite a way to row and when we were rowing back it was dark but also there was a head wind so it was quite tough - it’s about 3 miles of rowing altogether.
Amazing experience
Martin_A, Apr 2026
An amazing combination of kayaking and fascinating bats! Our guides, John and Ross, were fantastic and made the whole experience unforgettable. Definitely don’t miss this!
Lara_S, Apr 2026
The kayaking experience was excellent. Our guides, John and Ross were very good and low key. But the most fantastic part was watching the bats emerge from the bridge. I will never forget it.
Marcellijade_c, Mar 2026
It was a neat and unique experience. The kayaking was great. The bridge was quite far from where we launched the kayak and I got very tired kayaking back.
Jen_M, Mar 2026
100% recommended!!! We couldn’t have had better weather for this evening kayaking trip. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. It was an easy paddle out and back. Watching the bats was really cool. I would recommend this to anyone, one of the best things we did on our trip to Austin.
Jennifer_L, Mar 2026
You will get wet! Wear a swimsuit and water safe shoes. I had to call to find this out. They do have a changing room and free lockers. It gets cool on the water too!
Krystal_B, Feb 2026
Boats and Bats was a fantastic experience! The guides were very helpful and knowledgeable without being intrusive into our own family experience! Highly recommend and will book again! A+++
Stephanie_P, Nov 2025
This was such a wonderful way to kick off our quick stop in Austin before our morning flight! The bats were absolutely incredible to see. The tour felt relaxed and intimate—there weren’t too many people on the water, so it almost felt like a private experience. Highly recommend!
Jasmine_S, Nov 2025
Such a unique experience! Our guide was very knowledgable and was prepared with red light to see the bats in the dark. Would recommend adding lights to the kayaks as they can be hard to see by other boaters in the night.
Shannon_S, Nov 2025
After a day of work this was a fantastic way to enjoy and relax. Time on the water and watching bats was wonderful.
Lauren_S, Nov 2025
Extremely organized and accurate with excellent communication. We saw all of the bats on time as promised.
Joel_D, Nov 2025
Nice to go out and be on kayaks as the sun went down, but not as many bats as expected, overall, would do it again.
Maria_C, Oct 2025
Really enjoyed a wonderful evening! Loved the bats and the row back to the starting point is magical in the dark! Appreciated the recommendation to use a big paddle board with our party of three.
Anna_T, Oct 2025
So much fun! Not a great turn out if the bats, but still worth it. The city looked gorgeous at night
V_W, Oct 2025
What a fun experience in Austin! This is a great way to see the city skyline and experience the unique sight of bats flying at dusk. The paddling was easy, even after dark as we paddled back to the starting point. Highly Recommended!
Melissa_R, Oct 2025
Our guides were really helpful. We needed a bigger vessel for our group and they delivered with an extra large paddle board. The scenery was gorgeous, especially at night with the city lights. The BATS! Wow! We honestly could not have had a better view from the base of the bridge, and there were SO MANY! It took at least 25 minutes for them all to fly off. Only bad part about the experience was the vegetation and trash in the lake itself. There was A LOT and it made paddling a little difficult. You also couldn’t avoid it at night on the return trip because it was dark and we didn’t have lights on our vessel.
Grant_M, Oct 2025
A pleasant trip. Simple, easy, casual - I’m not sure they ever checked us in to verify we actually paid for the trip. Come to think of it, there was no waiver requirement either - is that a Texas thing? Regardless, it was well organized, friendly staff, they took photos of us and made them available for free. Bats themselves were underwhelming. It was cool to experience the phenomenon, but they don’t leave in a big flock and cover the sky, they kind of gradually sneak out the end of the bridge. Still cool to see, but just moderate your expectations. Definitely a cool experience!
Larry_J, Sep 2025
This was my first time kayaking and I really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the guide giving an explanation on the history of the bats and the city
Jeannette_L, Sep 2025
My husband and I wanted to do something different and booked this kayak experience. Everything was ready, explained well, loved that they took pictures of us, were detailed in explaining the history of the bats at the congress bridge and just made everything so enjoyable! We will definitely be coming back!
Monica_O, Sep 2025
This experience was pretty cool in so many was, from the welcoming tour guides, watching groups of rowers, seeing pontoon boat tours, the beautiful city skyline lit up at night, and of course learning some history about the bats, as they fly all around. My only tip is to wear none slip shoes. Trust me lesson learned lol…
Anna_T, Aug 2025
Aaron is a great host! Him and his crew got us safely to Congress Bridge and told us so many bat facts! They accommodated us when we needed a paddle board instead of a kayak, which was much appreciated. If you’re considering this tour, just book it! It will be worth it!
Amber_W, Aug 2025
Amazing experience! Our boys (ages 8 and 10) loved it. It took us a minute to figure out our kayak, but that was due to lack of experience on our part. The guides (Chris and Channing) were so friendly and knowledgeable. Can't wait to see our pictures!
Stacey_T, Aug 2025
Sunset in Austin, paddling Lady Bird Lake, and waiting for millions of bats to take flight under the Congress Avenue Bridge was the best possible way to spend our evening! The Bats And Boats kayak tour was so fun, our guides were great, and we loved every minute of it! 🛶🦇
Lesley_W, Jul 2025
Great tour, fun kayaking before sunset and learning all about the bats and why there here. Highly recommend this tour.
Robert_L, Jul 2025
The operators sent a link to a page that is updated daily with specific instructions- it was very helpful in finding the meet up point. Definitely watch the instruction video because it’s not like there is an address for “under the bridge.”
I was nervous before beginning because I had never Kayaked before. They gave basic instructions but in reality it’s quite easy. The lake is quite still so you aren’t really fighting a current.
A quick 20 minute paddle and you are at the bridge. You will have time to explore the area in your kayak if you want. Ross (our guide) gave a bit of history related to the bats which was very informative. The 🦇 did their show which is incredible. Apparently it takes up to 90 minutes for all the bats to depart but we didn’t stay the entire time. Ross told us when it was time to head back and it was another easy 20 minute paddle.
We had a great time - would definitely recommend.
One suggestion- perhaps have some water or Gatorade with you. You are absolutely parched when your done.
carrie_c, Jul 2025
They made sure this experience was amazing!! With all the text messages with directions, photos info, bathrooms to use and parking. It made everything so easy.
Then the kayaking and watching the bats so AMAZING! The tour guides made sure we were always good and made this experience one we will never forget
Loretta_M, Jul 2025
Very fun and informative, guides were full of information about Austin and the bats. The view of the skyline from the water was spectacular.
Anonymous, Jul 2025
Our trip was amazing! Other groups came over to listen to our guide talk about the bats, because their guides weren’t doing much. We had the perfect night complete with a rainbow & nice breeze. I highly recommend. If I go again, I would take a glow necklace or lights so I could find my family on the way back. Take. Change of clothes bc you’ll get wet. Wonderful trip!
Gerald_W, Jul 2025
We went to celebrate my husband's 62 burrhday. Great customer service, very friendly and nice. Luv it
From $59.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Downtown Austin Sunset Kayak Tour with 1.5 Million Bats
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