Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Kayaking to see the bats is a unique way to view this urban phenomenon, and seeing the Austin skyline from the water is a highlight of the trip! We are the original kayak tour operators to see the bats! We are a family-owned business that has been doing this for over 15 years. We have the most knowledgeable guides and dock staff! This is a great tour for families, date nights, tourist and locals alike!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Total tour time includes paddle instructions and gear distribution.
What To Expect
Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
On our Evening Bat-Watching Kayak tour, guest paddle from our dock to the Congress Avenue Bridge. The views of downtown Austin are amazing! Our guides will get you in the best spot to see the nightly departure of the Largest Urban Bat Colony in the world! They will give you the history to the bat colony and other local landmarks, all while enjoying the sunset. After watching the bats for awhile, we all paddle back to our dock. The trip is 2.5-3 hours depending on the bats!
Austin
One of the highlights other than the bats is seeing the downtown skyline from the water. On the paddle out, you will be enjoying the sun going down and the different hues it creates on the ever growing skyline. After the bats fly and you are paddling back to the dock, you will see the buildings lit up against the water.
Options
Evening Bat Watching Kayak Tour
What‘s Included
kayaks, paddles, life-jackets, bottle of water, use of lockers
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
72 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Loved all of it!
carolinew401,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic paddle to the bridge. The guides were super informative and took pics of us with the Austin skyline in the background. Amazing sunset and lots of bats! Definitely check this out! Easy booking and great communication. I’d definitely go again!
Scooby dooby doo
Mike W,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mi experience necessary to paddle the lake. The bats were great! Not scooby doo scary at all
Beautiful 2 hour sunset trip
hozeit,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The bats were supposed to be the main event, but they were so tiny, that part of it was underwhelming. The trip itself, however, was wonderful. Our main guide was friendly and full of fun information about Austin and its history, and the bat colonies. Fellow kayakers were friendly. Downtown Austin in the water at night was enchanting. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy its beauty and highly recommend this kayak trip. It’s a great arm workout, too. Our muscles are sore today.
To do
LaureD462,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience with a caring team.
We have a lovely evening...
julie t,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We have a lovely evening paddle to see the bats exit the bridge. Our guides provided good information and were available but not overwhelming present. It was a perfect balance!
Lots of Bat knowledge!
Venture67454143109,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience! If you rent a kayak for 2 hours you pay about the same - but these guys have so much knowledge about the bats and Austin! It’s also a beautiful night time paddle.
Getting Batty in Austin
J4985MJchristopherb,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I want to give a special shout out to Hannah on our paddle last evening. She went out of her way to explain what we could expect at the bridge, more history, and was even helpful with giving us suggestions as to were to go afterwards. It was fun to just hang out and chat with her. Overall highly recommend this experience!
Awesome Time!
johnmG4910TO,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Boats and Bats in Austin gave us an absolutely amazing time. The tour was fun, smooth, and perfectly organized, but what really made it special were the awesome tour guides. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly loved what they do. Their energy made the whole experience even better. If you’re in Austin and want something memorable, relaxing, and just plain cool, this is the tour to take. Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!!
Sarah H,May 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend! Guides were informative, funny. took pics for us.
Not worth the money
C00kieO,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00We recently did the bat watch kayak tour and while the bats were a highlight, the overall experience fell short of expectations — particularly for the price. Organization issues from the start. The confirmation email only listed operating hours (5–7 PM) but gave no guidance on when to actually arrive. Upon arrival, staff had difficulty locating our reservation — and then asked us the same questions again when we returned to check in an hour later. Chaotic check-in. There was a large group that evening, and it wasn’t clear where to line up for life vests or whether to get them at the counter versus the dock. The staff was genuinely friendly and clearly trying their best, but the logistics weren’t well managed. Distance to the bat site is not disclosed. The website should clearly state that the paddle to the bat bridge is approximately one mile each way — that’s a significant distance and guests deserve to know upfront. Safety and lighting concerns at the dock. The return paddle is in complete darkness, and the dock itself was unlit. With a large group navigating in the dark, a simple LED light would go a long way. The surrounding area is crushed rock and dirt — a mat near the dock would be a thoughtful touch, especially for guests in bare feet. Photos were missing. The tour price includes photos, but our group’s photos were not in the shared album. For a paid inclusion, that’s a miss. One more note: the bats can actually be seen from standing on the bridge — possibly with a better vantage point than from the water. The staff’s warmth is a real bright spot, and with some operational improvements — clearer communications, better lighting, and attention to small guest comforts — this could be a much better experience. As it stands, we didn’t feel the tour delivered value for the price.
Related Experiences
Operated by Live Love Paddle