Capital Cruises Tours
208 Barton Springs RdAustin, TX, 78704
(512) 480-9264
Austin, TX, 78704
Austin, TX, 78704
(512) 480-9264
April 7, 2024
Embarking on the Capital Cruise Bat Tour in Austin, Texas, is an experience that promises both education and excitement against the backdrop of the city's vibrant skyline. The tour, known for its punctuality, sets off at 7:15 PM, ensuring that guests are well-informed to purchase their refreshments and attend to comfort needs before departure—a thoughtful reminder that enhances the overall experience. The captain, a fount of knowledge, navigates not only the waters but also the rich history of Austin and its wildlife. This expertise transforms the journey into a floating classroom, where learning is as delightful as the sightseeing. The highlight, undoubtedly, is the bat tour itself. Austin's bats are somewhat of a natural spectacle, and while their appearance is not guaranteed on every tour, fortune favored us with a perfect April evening. The weather and temperature were ideal, setting the stage for the bats' punctual 7:50 PM flight from beneath the bridge. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the skyline morphed into a canvas of oranges and purples, then transitioned to an illuminated masterpiece as night fell. The view from the boat offered a unique perspective of the city—one that is both serene and breathtaking. However, it's wise to note the challenges faced before embarking on this nocturnal adventure. Austin's traffic can be formidable, and parking fees near the tour's docking area are steep, particularly by the hotels. Prospective visitors would benefit from researching more affordable parking options to avoid any undue stress. The Capital Cruise Bat Tour is a must-do for locals and tourists alike. It's a perfect blend of natural wonder, historical insights, and urban beauty—all wrapped up in an evening that's as educational as it is enchanting. Just remember to plan ahead for the logistical aspects, and you're set for an unforgettable Austin experience.
April 2, 2024
We went on the bat cruise to see the bats fly out from under the bridge! I think our boat guide's name was Tyrone. He was incredible. Because he has grown up in the area, he had so much history about the buildings in the area, the bridges, and other wildlife. He was fun and engaging. He tried to give us the best experience by moving to different locations while the bats were flying out from under the bridge so that we could see them from different perspectives. He showed us amazing routes that they took around pillars and we were able to see a little tiny bat on the pillar, which gave us a unique perspective to see how tiny these little bats actually are. We weren't able to tell how tiny they were when they were flying put the little one that he pointed out that was hanging on the bridge was a beautiful and unique experience. I highly recommend this cruise. There were other cruises around us but some were noisy and boisterous, but I liked that our boat was completely open on top so that we can have the best view. Buy your tickets ahead of time, get there 30 minutes early, and enjoy. Don't miss the bats!!!
March 30, 2024
I'm handicapped in a wheelchair, from the arrival to departure, and the crew took great care of me. Shout out to the best captain, Tyrone. He was informative, personable, and a great representation of your company. I had a friend in from out of state and wanted to treat her to something fun. Capital Cruises delivered. Tyrone even wheeled me back up the gravel path to our car, so my 60 year old friend didn't have to. Great value and all-around great cruise. We will return when more bats fly out. Thank you ~ KHall TrixieDelight
March 29, 2024
We had dinner on a Duffy boat for a bachelorette trip & it was absolutely amazing, the food was very good & we had the best time. We LOVED we could bring our own drinks on the boat & we got to see the bats fly so that was a plus!! The workers were so nice & explained how to drive the boat perfectly, as well as let us borrow their speaker for our time. We are already planning on our next trip back!!
March 6, 2024
A little slice of Austin with a whole lotta bats! We had an amazing experience on our tour! Three of my colleagues and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the city by way of Lady Bird Lake. The timing was great and just an enjoyable experience all around. We thought we might be late and still ended up making after having left a voicemail. They promptly responded to that as soon as they had the opportunity!
January 2, 2024
Great tour guide and lovely boat ride! Played local music and had lots of historical information about the area as we went along! 10/10 recommend!
November 11, 2023
I went on a boat cruise during Sxsw. Some promotion party for Bose, they had really good DJs, with food and drinks included. My boat ride was free, and has been one of the best experiences I’ve had on the lake. We went at night, so it was dark and cold, but the good music kept us dancing, and having a great time. I’m definitely recommending this if you’re out of town and it’s cold but you still want to experience town lake in Austin.
October 9, 2023
I took my friend on the cruise for her birthday and we had a great time. The weather was perfect and the lake looked beautiful. Our guide was friendly and informative and made sure we had plenty of opportunities for pictures and to view the wildlife sunning themselves. The only flaw was one that the cruise company couldn't control and that was that the trio of people sitting right by us would. Not. Stop. Talking.
September 30, 2023
I took my family to the bat watch cruise in hopes of viewing the 2 million bats coming out from the Congress Avenue Bridge. Once arriving, parking was available and easily accessible. I would recommend arriving early to get the best seating on the boat. Plastic clean chairs were set up for guests to sit while viewing the bats. The guide was informative and provided information to the passengers about the buildings, and parks. The most awaited part was seeing the bats. They came out later at night and were harder to see, but the guides had red lights which helped us see the bats as they merged from the bridge.
Total Score:3295
Jessica Handy
Great trip, great value. Captain Zack was affable, knowledgeable, and just as interested in seeing the bats as we were. Calm ride up and down the river. I get seasick easily and i had no problem that night. Easy check in, the hotel there is generously accommodating with their bathrooms, we left on time and arrived back on time. Bring a hat to protect from bat guano and wear bug spray on your face to avoid gnats. The bats haven’t eaten them all yet! Binoculars help as does putting iphone 15 on video and watching through the screen.