Guided Birdwatching Kayaking Tour on Lady Bird Lake

Paddle on Lady Bird Johnson Lake via kayak or paddle board, and learn about the local birds and wildlife for the water.

The lake sounds different when the birds have it to themselves. We’ll set out near sunrise, when the shoreline is waking up, to look and listen for the wildlife that’s easy to miss later in the day. We will travel up creeks, to remote areas of the lake, and near the shore for the best views of our local and migratory birds.

Your guide will help you identify the birds we encounter and share the behaviors and natural history behind what you’re seeing. We may find herons or egrets hunting in the shallows, barn swallows sweeping over the water, a belted kingfisher watching from a branch, or hawks overhead. Depending on the season, we’ll also look for wood ducks, hooded mergansers, grebes, geese, ibis, and owls. Every trip is different, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. A check list will be provided for each boat.

When and where to meet

Saturday and Sunday morning tours meet at Live Love Paddle 30 minutes before sunrise, unless your operator communicates a different time. The exact meeting time will change with the season. Paddle board seats must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

What's Included

• Guided 2-hour kayak experience
• Life jacket and required safety equipment
• Safety glow stick for evening visibility when applicable
• Complimentary bottled water
• Individual storage lockers (not located on the boat)
• 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
• Guests under 13 must paddle in a tandem kayak with an adult
• Participants must be comfortable around water
• If something comes up, participants must reschedule or cancel 48 hours before the tour’s meeting time for a refund. Cancellations less than 48 hours out 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.

Echos of Texas is an Austin-based outdoor experience company built around a simple idea: the best way to know Texas is to get out in it.

Our guides combine local knowledge, storytelling, natural history, and a genuine love for the outdoors to create experiences that go beyond sightseeing. We want you to understand a little more about the places you explore, notice things you might otherwise pass by, and leave with a great story to tell.

From Austin's waterways and wildlife to the wild places beyond the city, we're here to show you a side of Texas you won't find from a tour bus.

Ready When You Are