Downtown Austin Sunset Kayak Tour with 1.5 Million Bats

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

2 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Welcome to Austin's #1 Booked Experience.

This 2.5 hour kayaking trip through downtown is magical. We start by paddling the length of the Austin skyline during the golden hour, then stop to watch the sunset.

We then get into position for the best bat viewing and give a speech all about the bats just before they all fly out. We can usually time the bat flight perfectly so you have more time to explore the rest of the skyline.

On the way home, we encourage you to take your time and take a few breaks to watch the cities lights come to life when the skyscrapers turn on their lights.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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.

What To Expect

Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching

The Congress Ave bridge is home to 1.5 Million Mexican Free Tailed Bats. Come watch them from the best vantage point in the city - on a kayak in the middle of the river!

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Austin

The entire kayak experience is paddling along the river going through downtown Austin. You can see the rapidly changing skyline 95% of the trip. You get the whole experience watching the sunset and then checking out the skyline after dark when the city lights come on.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Downtown Austin Sunset Kayak Tour with 1.5 Million Bats

Reviews

4.86

184 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

167

Good time
Joel D,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
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.
Great Experience
kirkg80,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was so cool! Not sure how we got so lucky to see so many bats in November, but it seemed like more than the stated million or so to me. And what a cool way to see the city!
Such a memorable experience
Scottybucks,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour offers unbeatable views of the city at sunset which is a highlight but then you get to the bats! Wow!!! As Aaron our guide explains whilst you’re positioned on the water in the perfect spot to witness this natural phenomenon in action, you really need to be on the water to best experience it. All excellently organised by Aaron and his team. I would highly recommend this tour.
Fun kayaking experience
kimyaw2025,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The kayak tour was fun and the day of event website is very informational. I also appreciate the pictures that were taken of us that were put in a Google Drive! Worth the price to see the sunset and the bats on the water.
Do NOT miss this unique travel experience!
cbsheehan,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had an absolutely amazing experience during our sunset kayak/bat tour in Austin! Almost 2 hours on the water gave us a breathtaking view of Austin at sunset, right into the night city skyline ... and the BATS! They really gave us a beautiful show tonight! The staff were all incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and we can't recommend going on this tour enough! If ever you find yourself in Austin, TX, do not miss the opportunity to see the city like this and see a most unique experience!
Really enjoyed a...
Maria C,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
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.
Great tour
rachaeldQ7397ZF,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Chris rocked the tour and gave us enough time to also do our own thing. We had a great time learning about the bats. I’d go again.
So much fun! Not a great...
Anna T,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
So much fun! Not a great turn out if the bats, but still worth it. The city looked gorgeous at night
Don't miss a unique Austin experience!
V W,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
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!
Bucket List Item
Melissa R,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
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.