Sunset Bat Kayak Tour on Lady Bird Lake — Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Light fitness required; suitable for beginners and families who can sit and paddle for short periods
Overview
Paddle from the Waller Creek Boathouse at sunset and watch 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats stream out from under Congress Avenue Bridge. This two-hour guided kayak tour mixes calm flatwater paddling with an unforgettable wildlife spectacle and practical, beginner-friendly guidance.
Sunset Bat Kayak Tour on Lady Bird Lake — Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
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You push off from a low wooden dock as the city sheds its workday armor: office lights stitch the skyline, joggers finish circuits on the shore, and the river—Lady Bird Lake—pulls calm around your hull. Paddles dip in rhythm, and the guide points low toward the Congress Avenue Bridge. For a few breathless minutes the water is a theater and you are in the front row: clouds of Mexican free-tailed bats begin to spill from under the bridge, darkening the sky in a twisting, living river that dares you to keep watching.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive early for orientation
Plan to arrive 15–20 minutes before launch to get fitted with a life jacket and hear safety briefing; tours launch promptly at scheduled time.
Keep lights off during emergence
Bright lights and flashes disrupt the bats and other wildlife—use your phone camera without flash and follow your guide’s directions.
Dress in layers and wear shoes that can get wet
Evenings cool quickly once the sun sets; closed-toe water shoes or sneakers protect feet during re-entry to the dock.
Bring hydration and insect repellent
Two hours on the water in summer can dehydrate you and attract mosquitoes—carry a refillable water bottle and apply repellent before launch.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mexican free-tailed bats
- Great blue heron
History
The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, originating as an early 20th-century crossing, became a major bat roost in the late 20th century when urban gaps replicated cave crevices favored by Mexican free-tailed bats.
Conservation
Respect the colony by keeping lights off, not approaching roosting areas, and following guide rules—local groups monitor bat health and encourage low-impact tourism.
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Adventure Hotspots in Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Personal flotation device (PFD)
Operators provide PFDs but wearing one is essential for safety on evening flatwater tours.
Reusable water bottle
Bring water to stay hydrated, especially on hot summer evenings.
summer specific
Waterproof phone case or dry bag
Protect cameras and phones from splashes and humidity during paddling and docking.
Light windbreaker or fleece
Evening temperatures drop quickly after sunset; a thin layer keeps you comfortable.
fall specific