Austin Sunset Bat Watching Paddle Board Tour

Paddle through the heart of Austin on a guided sunset kayak tour featuring local history, wildlife, skyline views, and the world-famous Congress Avenue Bridge bats. This beginner-friendly adventure includes premium safety equipment, complimentary water, secure lockers, and photos to help you remember the experience.

Experience Austin from the water on a guided sunset kayak adventure that combines nature, history, and one of the city's most iconic wildlife events.

Your journey begins on the shores of Lady Bird Lake, where you'll meet your guide and launch into the calm waters flowing through downtown Austin. As we paddle beneath historic bridges and alongside the city skyline, your guide will share stories about Austin's past, the Colorado River, local wildlife, and the transformation of the city into the cultural hub it is today.

As the sun begins to set, we’ll make our way toward the Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the worlds largest urban bat colony. From the water, we’ll watch for Mexican free-tailed bats emerging to hunt insects across Central Texas. The size and timing of the flight vary from night to night.

Designed for beginners and experienced paddlers alike, this approximately 2.5-hour tour covers roughly 3 miles of flat water and is suitable for most fitness levels. Depending on weather conditions and wind, the return paddle may require additional effort, but the pace is relaxed and guided throughout the experience.

Whether you're visiting Austin for the first time or rediscovering your hometown, this tour offers a unique perspective on the city's history, wildlife, and natural beauty.

What's Included

• Guided 2.5-hour paddle board experience
• Life jacket and required safety equipment
• Safety glow stick for evening visibility
• Complimentary bottled water
• Individual storage lockers
• Access to restroom facilities and changing rooms before departure and upon return
• Dedicated guide sharing local history, wildlife, and bat information
• One guaranteed group photo per booking party
• Access to additional photos and videos captured during the tour when available via shared Google Drive

Important Information

• Approximately 3 miles round trip
• Beginner friendly and suitable for most experience levels
• Flat-water paddling on Lady Bird Lake
• Participants must be comfortable around water
• Participants must cancel at least 72 hours before the tour’s meeting time for a refund. Cancellations less than 72 hours out respectivly and no shows are nonrefundable. If we cancel because of weather, you’ll receive a refund or have the option to rescheulde.

What to Bring

• Swimsuit or quick-dry clothing. Your butt and feet will get wet for sure.
• Change of clothes and towel to leave in the lockers
• Water-friendly footwear
• Sunscreen / bugspray
• Dry bag or waterproof phone bag.
• Phone or camera if desired

Before Booking

Paddling and other Echos of Texas events carry the risk of a great time, continuous smiling, and memorable experiences, but also injury, death, and the loss of personal property. By booking this tour, participants understand these risks and release Echos of Texas, its affiliates, contractors, partners, and members from all liability. In addition, each participant will be required to sign a waiver prior to the event.
If booking a single kayak for a minor, please make sure they are experienced strong kayakers. The wind and make the return trip difficult for some adults in extreme cases.

Why Paddle With Echos of Texas?

At Echoes of Texas, we believe the best way to experience Texas is through its stories, landscapes, wildlife, and people. This isn't simply a kayak rental or a bat viewing trip—it's a guided journey through the natural and cultural history of Austin, ending with one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences in the state.

Echos of Texas — A Nature Expedition Company.

John is the founder of Echos of Texas and a passionate outdoorsman who believes the best way to experience Texas is by getting outside and exploring it firsthand.

As a kayak guide on Lady Bird Lake, John has spent hundreds of hours on Austin's waterways sharing stories about the city's history, wildlife, and natural wonders. His tours blend local history, science, conservation, and storytelling to create an experience that goes beyond simply watching the bats.

Ready When You Are