Congress Avenue Bat Bridge Kayak Tour in Austin
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the world’s largest urban bat colony emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge! This colony made up of 1.5 million Mexican free tailed bats is an amazing sight to see and hear. From the meeting point, join your professional guide where you will paddle and observe one of nature’s wonders and learn about how these nocturnal creatures help create a better ecosystem for everyone. The tour lasts 2 hours and food and drinks are not included.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
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
Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Recommend you wear swimsuit, windbreaker jacket, or lightly layered synthetic clothing
Bring sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, waterproof camera, bottle water, bug repellent, towel, and extra change of clothes
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
You will see the world's largest urban bat colony that peaks at around 2 million bats during the peak of the season. The bats take off around sunset and always head towards the eastern part of downtown.
Austin
You will see a number of buildings on the Austin Skyline including the Hotel Van Zandt, The Austonian Tower, and a multitude of residential and commercial buildings.
What‘s Included
Paddle lesson and safety instructions
Professional guide
Life jacket
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Congress Avenue Bat Bridge Kayak Tour in Austin
Reviews
245 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sunset, skyline, and bats!
X8645KZjoelleb,,Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sam was a great guide for my early evening tour! Everything was set up and ready upon arrival so we got into the water quickly and started making our way to the bridge. Fun stories and bat facts along the way! Really appreciated the small time adjustment (meeting 15 minutes earlier) to be more in tune with the bats schedule that week! Easy tour to be solo on, I love a single kayak and that’s what Sam had ready for us!
Worth the money.
connienF6798RZ,,Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Easy booking the trip with good directions to location. Quick communication with emailed questions. They took care of everything. Explained the excursion and how it would go and it gave what was promised. The night skyline was bonus on the way back.
Shop around for a kayak tour
Mary G,,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00I can appreciate this organization is run by young men. However, the life vests were not adequate for use on the lake. They were tattered and filthy. The kayaks could have been cleaner. When the person in charge spoke about the bats if you were anywhere outside of 15 feet you couldn’t hear him due to all of the other noise. A Microphone would’ve been nice. Out of five stars, I would be remiss if I gave it anything about a three minus. If we were to return, we’d walk on the bridge rather than spend the money to tour again.
Beginners @ Bat Bridge
Liz,,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00We had a hard time hearing the guide. We thought we were going to get an inflatable kayak, but didn’t. We had never kayaked before & got no advice for beginners. We did get up close to the bridge and got a great view of bats exiting the bridge for the night.
bat crazy!
Christina H,,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00such a unique experience! nico and the other tour guides were great and made the experience memorable for us.
Bats bats and bats
taberm2025,,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Austin was an awesome tour guide and very helpful. Amazing tour too. Great view of the bats and the Austin skyline. Got helpful recommendations for the rest of our trip too.
Bats 🦇
244gussies,,Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sam was our tour guide and he was very informative. It was an awesome experience seeing all the bats from a kayak on the lake. What a spectacular view! 100% recommend this tour!
It’s a very informative...
Kelley R,,Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It’s a very informative and beautiful experience. The guide was very knowledgeable, helpful and funny
Bat kayak tour
Gussie S,,Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It is very fun and relaxing. My first time kayaking and I loved it. We saw lots of bats! Very amazing view. Highly recommend!
Do not miss this unique experience!
LisaEddie,,Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent adventure seeing the bats in Austin. Our guide Henry was excellent. He was funny, helpful and most important patient with us since we are novice Kayakers. We learned a lot about Austin in this unique experience. The bats flying overhead was an experience of a lifetime and the skyline was beautiful at sunset. Highly recommend.
From US$50.00
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Operated by Lone Star Kayak Tours