AUSTIN · TEXAS
The best of Austin, most popular first.
The 15 most popular canoes & kayaks in Austin. The ones worth building a day around, with prices, run times and who runs each.
Paddle under Congress Avenue as Austin’s bat colony erupts at dusk, with skyline views from the water and a beginner lesson included.
Most Popular“The tour guide was very knowledgeable. The scenery is incredible and watching the bats under the bridge is quite an experience!”
Paddle downtown Austin at sunset and watch millions of Mexican free-tailed bats exit the Congress Avenue Bridge from below.
“absolutely fantastic tour! even if you don't get to see the bats exit the bridge it is worth it for the views and history of the city. plus the guides are locals so they know all the best breakfast taco spots! take the tour to find out!!! Tyler was very friendly, professional and have you…”
Kayak Austin at sunset to the Congress Avenue Bridge bats. 1.5M fly nightly. Gear and lights included, small-group tour.
“Great tour, fun kayaking before sunset and learning all about the bats and why there here. Highly recommend this tour.”
Paddle the spring-fed San Marcos River at night on a glow-style kayak tour from City Park, with small-group guidance and great date-night energy.
“We enjoyed the whole tour, from beginning to end. Our tour instructor was great! He was very patient with a few that were not able to keep up and went back to help them out.”
Paddle the San Marcos River in a clear kayak at sunset, with glow lights for underwater views, wildlife spotting, and spring dips for $65.
“It was a real fun experience! The water was so clear and it was cool to be able to see the fish and plant life beneath you.”
Sunset bat kayak on Austin’s Lady Bird Lake. Small-group paddle to Congress Avenue Bridge to watch Mexican free-tailed bats.
“It is so much fun to go out onto the river, and to paddle up and down. However, it seems to me that to go in mid October, may be a little to late to see the bats, as if they were to be seen earlier in the season. The tour guide was really good…”
Paddle Lady Bird Lake for 2 calm hours in a single or double kayak, with easy self-guided routes and Downtown Austin views.
“We had suchba fantastic afternoon. We were with our two adult sons (20 and 23) so a great way to spend time.”
Paddle Lady Bird Lake for a downtown Austin skyline view. A $50, ~2-hour guided group kayak tour with lessons, safety gear, and wildlife.
“Lovely weather and JT was an excellent guide. Love learning about the ecosystem! The bats are amazing and valuable creatures.”
Paddle Lady Bird Lake at dusk to watch Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge bats fly out, then glide past the lit-up skyline on a 3-hour kayak tour.
“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 round trip. The only issue we had was what happened…”
Paddle a kayak or SUP at sunset on Lady Bird Lake, glide to South Congress Bridge, and watch Austin bats fly in a short guided outing.
“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.”
Kayak Lady Bird Lake for Austin bat watching at Congress Bridge. 2-hour guided tour with safety gear, $54.99, small groups.
“Such a relaxing and enjoyable experience. The bats were neat to see and our guide was very knowledgeable.”
Kayak Austin’s skyline from Lady Bird Lake and Barton Springs. Learn paddling, spot bats and wildlife, and get great photo angles.
Paddle Lady Bird Lake in a clear LED-lit kayak at night, with skyline views, wildlife spotting, and patient guides. Max 12 people. $75.
“This was horrible. I booked this activity two hours before and reviewed a confirmation. We followed the directions to the meet up point on 5 East Ave., but no one ever showed up or responded to my messages through the App. This was second time in one day that. Igor failed on the booking with…”
2-hour kayak lessons on Lady Bird Lake in Austin. Paddle past the skyline and bat bridge with gear included for $30.
“Fun, exciting and you will get a little wet. Shawn was very friendly and I definitely recommend trying”
Clear-bottom kayak on Austin’s Lady Bird Lake: downtown skyline, Congress bats, and spring-fed Barton Creek.
“Very informative tour, beautiful skyline. Satvik is very knowledgeable about what we saw but also beyond. It was a great benefit that he is born and raised in Austin.”
The lake, the music, the barbecue, and every road into the Hill Country.
