See the famous bats of Austin, the largest urban colony in North America, emerge at dusk from Congress Ave Bridge from a kayak on Lady Bird Lake! Enjoy a leisurely paddle to the bridge with an expert guide who shares the history of Austin and stories about its amazing bats. From your front-row seats on the beautiful lake, marvel at the famous bat population as the winged critters take flight. No experience is needed for this kayak excursion; all equipment and instruction are provided. Small-group tour limited to 15 people ensures a personalized experience with your knowledgeable guide.
Highlights
Meet your guide at the shop where you receive a kayak lesson and your paddling equipment. Once you are geared up, head to the shores of Lady Bird Lake to follow your guide out on the water. As you glide along, take in great views of Austin, including the Frost Bank Tower and a statue of the popular musician Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Paddle across Lady Bird Lake, a reservoir that was formed by a dam on the Colorado River in 1960. As you enjoy this amazing recreation area, hear informative and entertaining commentary from your guide share about Austin’s history and its famous bats.
The bat colony under the Congress Ave Bridge is the largest urban bat colony in North America. The Mexican free-tailed bats migrate every spring from central Mexico to the southwestern USA, settling into their home under the Congress Avenue Bridge. At dusk in the spring and summer, as many as 1.5 million bats take to the sky on their nightly hunt for food. The Austin colony alone is estimated to eat up to 20,000 pounds of insects every night; a contribution to the community that is celebrated by locals and visitors.
On the 2-hour kayak tour, arrive at the Congress Ave Bridge before dusk so that you have a great vantage point to see the bats take flight. Marvel at the clouds of tiny winged mammals above you as they soar out to hunt in the twilight. Your guide takes photos of your small group before you return to your starting point to end the tour.
Schedule details
Select a month to view a calendar of availability and departure details.
Departure Point: Austin Food Park
Departure Time: 6:30pm
Duration: 2-hr to 2.5-hrs
Return Details:
Pricing information
Click the link below to check pricing & availability on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.
Pricing information
Inclusions:
- Basic kayak training
- Kayak tour
- Life jacket
- Paddles
- Local Guide
Exclusions:
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information:
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- A maximum of 15 people per booking
- Minimum age is 10 years
- Passenger must be a minimum weight of 30lbs
- Maximum weight is 300lbs
- Not recommended for pregnant women
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
Voucher Info: You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.What’s this?
Local Operator Information:
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.