Lone Star Riverboat Cruises
208 Barton Springs RoadAustin, TX, 78704
(512) 327-1388
(512) 327-1388
Bat-watching from the boat was a lot of fun. They took us on a small excursion along the lake and shared some interesting facts and fun stories about Austin. When the sun came down, we saw thousands of bats flew away from the bridge. Definitely great experience!
Definitely the way to see the bats at Congress Bridge. An added bonus is the peaceful cruise along the gorgeous Austin skyline.
We took a bat cruise and absolutely loved it. Boarding was prompt and efficient. The employees were all lovely. Our capital DJ kept us safe and our other captain (I think Tony) was informative and gave great information. Get there early if you want the upper deck of the larger boat as they begin boarding at 6.15pm. Concessions are CASH only so be prepared if you want a drink.
Our family and friend visiting had a wonderful cruise with Captain Mike. The bats were amazing and we had a great view from the boat when they decided to come out for their evening flights. We also enjoyed learning about the Austin skyline and some of the history. If you have out-of-town guests visiting Austin, we highly recommend this as a truly Austin experience.
This is a great thing to do while visiting Austin. Or guide was very knowledgeable of the area and came up with fun stories. Watching the bats come out at dusk was really cool too. Only thing I wish I had known before we arrived was that it’s BYOB and you can bring food. Definitely get there early so you can get on the big boat with tables on the upper deck.
So glad we did this! My husband and I were visiting from DFW and I wanted to find an activity that was unique and came across Lone Star Riverboat tours. Very affordable, even better. Bring your own snacks and drinks, although they did have some canned drinks for sale. Captains DJ and Robert were friendly and humorous. We sat on the top deck but there's an enclosed 1st deck as well, which I imagine is great for colder days. The tour was an hour, left promptly, and returned promptly; great for a tight schedule. Definitely recommend for a different type of excursion in Austin.
1 hour cruise down the river. Interesting to hear about buildings new and old and the bats! If you want to see the bats fly at night then go for an evening cruise. They aren’t visible during the day. Apparently 750k-1.5m at any time. We came November and they are apparently going back to Mexico in the next few days until next year. Not sure which month they come back..
It's definitely worth the price to take one of these boat tours to see the bats (and the skyline, architecture, landmarks, etc.) while in Bat City, instead of trying to see from on top of the bridge. Our captain/tour guide was excellent, but I don't recall her name (the cute blonde comedian girl). Apparently they also have a larger boat that can be chartered for private events.
A truly amazing experience. Our guide was really funny and personable. We experienced everything we were promised: a boat tour, view of the city from the water, 1.5 million bats flying out into the country to feast on mosquitoes and various other creatures they prefer to eat. This is a 100% must for both locals and visitors.
Total Score:3500
Andre Rieder
April 14, 2024We did the boat tour in early April, had great weather, and lots of bats to watch. In addition, Captain Mike, provided talked us through the architecture of the city in an entertaining and informative way. Highly recommend!