Austin

15 Best Austin Bat Watching Tours

The bat watching trips: kayaks and boats holding the best seats below the Congress Avenue Bridge as over a million bats spiral out on summer evenings. The emergence runs minutes; the memory holds longer.

1.Congress Avenue Bat Bridge Kayak Tour in Austin

Experience the magic of Austin’s bats from the water on a guided kayak tour. Watch over a million bats take flight at sunset for an unforgettable evening.

Most Popular★ 4.5

“This tour was great. We were lucky enough to get a really good night with the bats, so many came out. The view from the kayak of the bats and the city was amazing. Went with my mum who is a 1st time kayaker, nobody…”

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2.Austin: Sunset Bat Watching Kayak Tour

Discover Austin’s iconic bat viewing from below on a 2-hour sunset kayak tour, combining city skyline views with the magic of a bat emergence.

★ 4.8

“Such a great time! Loved here over 20+ years and never have done the bats! So happy I did it this way for the first time! Ethan was our guide and he was amazing! Thanks for a cool experience!”

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5.Austin Small Group Night Tour with Famous Austin Bat Boat Cruise

Discover Austin’s highlights on this small group night tour, including a sunset boat cruise to see bats, city sights, and local insights for $99.

★ 4.0

“Mike was awesome!! He knew so much about Austin and pointed out a ton of things around the capitol and by the lake. Lots of good history nuggets too! He really was thoughtful about making sure everyone on either side of the boat got to…”

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6.Downtown Austin Giant Paddleboard Sunset Tour with Bats

Experience Austin from the water on a private giant paddleboard, watch the bats emerge at sunset, and enjoy stunning city views — all for $55.

★ 5.0

“The tour guides were awesome. They explained so much about the bats while flying keeping everyone engaged. This is where you want to be if you ever come to experience the Austin Bats”

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7.Evening Bat Watching Kayak Tour

Experience Austin’s iconic bats from the water on this guided kayak tour, blending stunning skyline views with a natural spectacle for $49.

★ 5.0

“We took a Scout Troop (7 teenage girls and 3 leaders) on this adventure and we all had a great time. The guides (John and Dave) are fantastic and we loved that our kayaking group got to paddle the farthest--I believe it was 3 miles…”

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8.Kayak or Paddle Board Sunset Bat Tour

Experience Austin’s iconic bat flight from the water on this sunset kayaking or paddleboarding tour, guided by friendly experts. Ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

★ 5.0

“Our guides were awesome and helped us navigate the river the entire time. They told us facts about Austin and Lady Bird river. They led us to a great spot to view the bats. It was an overall great experience.”

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9.Congress Bridge Kayaking Bat Tour

Experience Austin’s famed bat colony from a kayak at sunset. Enjoy expert guides, wildlife views, and stunning skyline for $54.99 per person.

★ 4.5

“Such a relaxing and enjoyable experience. The bats were neat to see and our guide was very knowledgeable.”

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10.Austin Texas Sunset and Bat Clear Kayak Tour

Experience Austin's stunning sunset and bat emergence from Lady Bird Lake on a clear kayak tour. Perfect for nature lovers and city explorers alike.

★ 4.5

“Great trip kayaking for sunset in Austin and saw the bats. Tour guide was amazing! He was very knowledgeable and kind and we felt very safe.”

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11.Austin Bat City Glow Paddle Board Experience

Experience Austin’s only self-operated glow paddleboard tour on Lady Bird Lake, combining city skyline views, bat sightings, and illuminated paddling for a unique night adventure.

“Becca was an awesome tour guide, great experience. We got there early and we got close to the bats. There were so many and we got back at a good time.”

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12.Downtown Sunset Tandem Kayak with 1.5M Bats

Experience Austin’s iconic sunset with a kayak tour to see 1.5 million bats, guided by friendly experts, including photos, all for $54 per person.

“My wife, our 13-year-old, and I signed up. We were worried about having three people and how we would split up. But the group was kind enough to give our 13 year-old her own kayak and we could tether it whenever she got tired. It…”

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13.Austin: Best Bars and Bats 3-Hour Guided Tour

Explore Austin’s vibrant nightlife with a 3-hour guided tour featuring sunset bat viewing from a rooftop, historic sights, and visits to award-winning local bars.

★ 5.0

“Astrid was a wonderful hostess! She had lots of great insight into the city and was wonderful company the entire evening. I really appreciated her getting to know me throughout the evening and tailoring her recommendations of other things to do based off my interests”

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14.Austin: Giant Paddleboarding Tour Downtown at Sunset w/ Bats

Experience Austin’s magic on a 2-hour giant paddleboard tour featuring sunset views, bats, and downtown skyline, with great guides and photos included.

★ 4.7

“10/10 ⭐️ Das war fantastisch! Must-do in Austin 🥰 Großartiges Team. Super Equipment. Wunderschöne Paddeltour zur Fledermausbrücke ❤️ Wir würden jederzeit wieder mit Boats and Bats buchen!”

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15.Giant Glow Paddleboarding the Downtown Skyline with Bats

Experience Austin’s skyline and bat colony on a glow paddleboard tour. Enjoy sunset views, colorful lights, and expert-guided nature and city sights.

★ 5.0

“If you’re looking for something fun to do in Austin, check out Boats and Bats! It’s an amazing experience — perfect for families and kids who’ll love every moment. The guides are super helpful and make it easy for everyone, even beginners. As the sun…”

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More Austin Bat Watching Tours