Captain Alec was wonderful, funny, informative & a great guide. He took us up & down the lake & showed us things you couldn't see from land. He made the time fly during the sunset cruise & patiently waited with us for the bats to make their appearance. And they did! He even helped us see them with a dull red beam so as not to hurt their vision or flying capacity. What a fun time! Highly recommended. read more

It's a nice way to spend an hour. You get a full tour of all of the buildings on the river and then they take you to where the bats are under the bridge. The bats are truly amazing, but you can see them from the bridge just fine. This is not something I would do again, but would recommend to a first time visitor. read more

Great way to see the bats! The tour was easy to book online. Cost $12 per person. Our guide was adorable, funny, super knowledgeable, and offered us all beverages they had left over from a party. Later in the week I watched the bats from standing on the bridge and I'd say it's a much better view from below the bridge on the boat. Plus all the interesting facts and history about the bats and their Austin stay. read more

Took the "bat boat" tour the first weekend of November, and had an amazing time. Laurie was an excellent captain and tour guide. We got some Austin history, fun anecdotes, & wildlife spotting. It was the tail end of bat season, so no impressive black ribbons of bats in the sky, but we did see them flying from the bridge in droves with the help of the red light. The bat tour is an extraordinary value at just ten dollars a ticket. Allow time to find parking, use the restroom at the hotel, grab a cocktail or snack if you wish, and queue up early so you have your choice of seats. read more

Went on this little boat ride on Lady Bird Lake to watch the bats fly out at dusk underneath Congress bridge. We had a much better vantage point from the boat than the people lined up on the bridge. Our tour guide, Georgia even drove the boat right under the bridge as the bats were flying out, which was neat. Do watch out for the guano!! (Bat poop)!! Felt like raindrops on your head, but it definitely was bat poop. Supposedly it's really lucky? Anyways, if you don't want bat poop on you, you have the option to choose the covered boat instead when you first board. Tips: Buy your tickets online, the seats fill up quickly and you are less likely to get onto the tour if you try to buy them in person. Also, arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time, (ours was at 6:45pm), otherwise they have the right to re-sell your tickets to somebody else! Overall, interesting tour, and you also have a great view of the Austin skyline! read more

The captain had a great mixture of humor and knowledge. He definitely made the trip entertaining while we waited for the outstanding bat show. read more

Capital Cruises - Totally worth doing. - Boat Charters Near Me - Austin, Texas

Planned a surprise 30th birthday party cruise for my husband and had an exceptional experience with Capital Cruises! The staff was very responsive over the phone and by email during the planning, and Tony helped me pick the right size boat and cruise time for our group of 51. The Pride & Joy II was a beautiful boat with clean restrooms, nice enclosed and air-conditioned space on the first floor, and a fantastic party deck with a mister fan on top. The staff helped me unload my car in the morning before the party and took care of setting up all the tables and chairs, icing down drinks, and setting up the bar. Lea bartended for us and did a wonderful job. After three hours flew by with gorgeous weather, great Austin sites, a fabulous vessel, and top-notch company, the consensus among both our guests and the birthday boy was that the whole experience was a blast. To top it all off, cleanup and unloading was a breeze! I'm already looking for another reason to book a party boat with Capital Cruises. Thanks y'all!! read more

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Been in Austin 3 years and this was my first trip to see the bats. My friend and I had a blast! We'll definitely be back. Brought a bottle of rose on, listened to some Austin history, listened to facts about the bats. Honestly, I got most of my info from my friend since she's been before and knew some of the facts. We were on the opposite side of the boat from the tour guide and could not hear almost anything she was saying. Maybe a speaker on the boat for the guide would benefit the tour. read more

I really enjoyed my bat cruise. It was relaxing and comfortable. Our guide provided knowledgeable information. Most importantly, it was amazing to see all the bats come all flying out. It was really something to see. It's definitely a sight to see and Capital Cruise makes it easy and very affordable. read more

We went to see the bats and the cruise was a lot of fun. Leya was a great guide and I even learned a couple things. This is definitely a must for anyone visiting Austin. read more

We are a family of 5 (grandmother, son, his wife, 6 year old boy and 3 year old girl). We took the bat watching cruise on a Wednesday night and had a very enjoyable evening. We arrived early because when I called that was suggested if we all wanted to sit together. I would recommend arriving by 7:30 if you are a larger group and want to sit together. The Capital Cruises bat watching cruise is very good value for the cost. We had a choice to take a smaller open top boat or a large double decker boat. The larger boat had a large group of teenagers so we chose the smaller boat There was another company operating cruises which was more expensive and seemed only to have the double decker boats. I much prefer the small boats for a more natural and intimate feel. The guide gave everyone the opportunity to go to the restroom or to purchase snacks from the Hyatt about ten minutes before leaving the dock and assured everyone she would not leave anyone behind. Yes, the chairs are somewhat flimsy, but we did not find them all that uncomfortable. The guide had lived in Austin all of her life and seemed knowledgeable of the downtown area and the bats. I had seen the bat flight twice before from the bridge so was somewhat disappointed, but that had nothing to do with Capital Cruises. Apparently, the unseasonably rainy year we are having has made their hunt for food easy. Therefore, the bats are leaving later - very close to dark. Capital Cruises did provide the guide with red lights which she used to show the bats flying out from the bridge. My previous viewings were on the typical bad years when the bat flights started much earlier and it was more spectacular to see the thousands leaving when it was still very light. This year I would definitely recommend the cruise if you want to see the bats fly out from under Congress Bridge . I do not think people on the bridge could see the bats well or at all as the sky and water were so dark (sunset was the opposite direction from the way the bats fly). read more

What a great way to experience the bats Our captain was Georgia, she was a very fun, outgoing, personable and knowledgeable host. She took us around the lake and talked to us about the city, buildings, local animals in the lake and of course the bats! Awesome views of the sunset, nice ride and great spot to see the bats. Definitely worth checking out. read more

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Enjoyed a bat cruise tonight with Georgia as our guide. She was fantastic -- a wealth of knowledge about Austin and about the amazing bats. Highly recommended! read more

Capital Cruises - Boat Charters Near Me - Austin, Texas

They need better directions to let you know you have to go to a tent to check in. We saw a boat with the Capital Cruise line on it and got in line. Only after standing in line for about 10 minutes were we told we were in the wrong line. A sucky way to start it off. read more

I've been here four different times and each time I have been given a different closing time. I just want to know what the closing time is for the swans. read more

Great experience. The hostess was awesome. The music was good. The Bats showed up!!! We enjoyed the show.

The ONLY way to watch the bats is from a boat! Our tour director offered a running commentary on the Austin skyline and made sure we were at the optimum positions to see the bats. Really awesome!!! read more

This was a very enjoyable experience and we would highly recommend this cruise. The city skyline is so beautiful at night and the bats were an amazing sight. read more

Surpassed My Expectations! I got a small group together for the bat cruise on July 4th. We not only got a thorough Congress Bridge bat sightseeing experience, but we got to see the fireworks from on the water. The only complaint I had, which has nothing to do with the vendor, is that we could only barely hear the symphony from our location. A great tour guide/captain for the bats and a relaxing super fun fireworks experience. In addition to that, we had someone who had to cancel at the last minute due to a death in the family (she flew to Florida the day before). I asked if it was possible to get a refund and while we were told we needed to give proper notice, which we completely understood, I saw in my email that I had already received a refund by the time I got home a few hours later. I'd give 10 stars if I could. read more

5 stars. Did the $10 bat tour. Boat is small, maybe capacity for 40. Advantage over big boats who can't navigate as well. Forgot tour guides name but he was hilarious, informative, and talked the right amount of time. Absolutely exceeded my high expectations as I had read this is the best bat tour in town, which it probably is! read more

The cruise was great and we had perfect weather. Gabe was our captain and he was very informative and funny. He made a point to interact with everyone on board. I would definitely recommend the cruise. read more

Just rented a tandem kayak here for just $15/hour ($10 for solo kayaks and paddleboards). My dog went free, but he brought his own life jacket. :) Launch was easy and there was no line. Parking was less easy. Still, with some extra time, you can find a place to park for free if you walk a bit, or you can pay $10/hour to park at the Hyatt garage. read more

We had a great time on the Lady Bird Lake Board Tour. Georgia was a fabulous guide and was very knowledgeable about the city. Additionally, her graciousness and sweet spirit was extra appreciated by our group. Georgia is a great Ambassador for Capital Cruises. With the ongoing pandemic, it was very difficult to find something special to do for my sister's 52nd birthday, the boat tour was perfect and Capital Cruises practiced all the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe. I would highly recommend! read more

So glad we got to take their boat ride to see the bats! The boat ride was just over an hour long and took us on a narrated ride around the lake. We learned lots of information about how the river became a lake, how the park around it was developed, and facts about buildings and wildlife. We floated around the congress street bridge and watched swarms of bats emerge- it was pretty exciting! Our captain and tour guide was Lori- she was fantastic! Lori was a very good public speaker and VERY knowledgeable about Austin and the bats. I can't believe this great experience was only $10/pp. Reservations were required for this tour. read more

Bruce and Ryan were our tour guides and boy were they funny. The tour itself was awesome, laid back, and the vibes were great for both adults and kids. The beautiful lady I brought with me had a good time and it was nice enjoying a few Independence Brewery beers that we brought. We both live in Austin and learned a good bit about the city, so I would recommend to locals who haven't had a chance to hop on their boats. Overall, this tour is one for the books. Thanks again Capital Cruises and especially Bruce and Ryan!! read more

So impressed with our guide and his knowledge and witnessing the bats fly out was the highlight. Would highly recommend the Bat Cruise and will be doing it again. COVID-19 safety precautions were utilized. read more

The staff was awesome, funny, and knowledgeable! I greatly enjoyed this tour with my husband. Definitely recommend!

Update- I will start by saying that i had previously had given this a lower star rating. But due to the fast and very understanding response from the owner I believe that this company deserves a better rating. The owners (Shannon) response was very clear and not at all defensive. I was offered a refund which I have refused (I don't think that is fair, I did see bats after all) Shannon has assured me that more training/tips will be given to the guide. I think that if you are looking for a good experience to see the bats to give Capital Cruises ago. I just hope that they do change a few things first. I will start by saying that for $10 it wasn't the worst experience i have paid for. However I will not recommend it to anyone. Here are the following reasons: -Our tour guide whilst informative didn't really give much audience participation. So realistically a good 45 minutes what just listening to him talk and talk and talk. No questions were asked and many jokes made. Bad jokes. All in the same tone as the info which made you question what he was serious about and what he wasn't. He did to his credit inform us that he will sometimes spin on in "fairytale mode" but maybe switch up the tone bit. (and ask a few questions!! Please, we were falling asleep!) I would look over longingly to the other Capital Cruise boat whenever it passed wishing we had chosen that boat- they looked (and sounded) like they were having a ball!! -Our guide did not have a microphone which made it very hard to hear. -As a previous review said the chairs were just flimsy plastic chairs which were not incredibly comfortable. I saw quite a few other passengers constantly adjust on the seat trying to get comfortable. And my biggest problem- I (as someone who works in a small business) understands that there are competition and sometimes its not friendly. However that does not excuse bad mouthing another business, not just once- But constantly!!! Even going as far as to say that that competing company has previously had passengers contract rabies from the bats (yes it was a joke- But REALLY?! Like I said previously its hard to distinguish his jokes from seriousness. And unfortunately some people are not equipped with the intelligence to not take him seriously) Another "joke" which was just as awful and in bad taste of the competitor was when we were informed that it is against company policy to make eye contact with said competitor. read more

Swan boating with my grandbabies... not much compared to it. The staff at Capital Cruisesnis always polite and helpful, will snap a photo pre-cruise and good with the kiddos...swans are clean and cool... good way to spend $15 and an hour on Lady Bird. read more

Great time with the Bat Cruise and our FUN and Knowledgeable guide, Georgia. Beautiful evening and amazing views‼

This outfit is the best! We showed up on the wrong night, and they still managed to accommodate us. Captain Lori was excellent...she really knew her stuff. The view of the bats was really good-your choice, the boat with or without the canopy! Parking at the Hyatt was easy and very reasonable. read more

Came for the Bat Cruise and was not disappointed! This was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced and was made all the better by our awesome guide, who was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. The boat is a pontoon, so it goes super slow for anyone else who may be worried about getting a little motion sick! Also, you can BYOB, which I didn't know before, but wish I did - this would've been even better with a beverage in hand! I would recommend making reservations in advance as well, just so you're guaranteed a spot. This is a must-do when visiting Austin and at such a great price, it truly cannot be beat! read more

Georgia was a great tour guide. She was informative, funny, easy to understand and genuinely loved bats and her job.

We went on the bat cruise and just expected a little boat ride , maybe see some bats. Georgia our captain was so informative about the history of the city and the lakes. She was also knew so much about the bats. I can tell she really had a true love for these little guys. I learned so much!! It was an awesome evening and will definitely do it again. read more

Our guide, Georgia was great and the bats were out! She told us about Austin as we cruised up the lake to see the sunset. It was a really nice night out and the sunset was gorgeous. We saw the bats swarm out from underneath the bridge and fly off into the distance. Georgia told us so many interesting things about the bats and it really enhanced the experience. I highly recommend taking a boast cruise to see the bats in Austin! read more

What a great bat tour! The captain was very funny and knowledgeable about the bats and other wildlife. We had an incredible view of the bats. read more

We used Capital Cruises for our 3 hr wedding ceremony and reception this month. The crew (Jason, Georgia,Lori) were exceptional- both professional and helpful. Our experience was so wonderful and we would highly recommend this venue. They went above and beyond to make our day special!! read more

Great tour!!!!! My family and I did this tour on 5/25. The tour guide was a very nice young man. I cant remember his name but he told us it was his first tour. It went smooth as silk. I highly recommend Capital Cruises. All the people were very nice. The price is great!!! read more

GEORGIAAAA!!! I love her. She's the best guide. Amazing tour with much enthusiasm and good gos. Listen to her when she says AWAY from the bridge is better. Thanks Georgia!! read more

Went to check in for the bat cruise, sunglasses guy barely acknowledged us, other than to say they weren't checking until 6:15. No bench or chairs so after a long day of museums and walking left to stand. Even though the ad stats it's first come first seated. Three personnel were present and doing nothing in the way of preparation, no reason not to let clients go aboard and relax. It's a hospitality industry after all. Sit on the lower deck at the Hyatt, enjoy a drink or food and be treated with respect. read more