Capital Cruises Tours
208 Barton Springs RdAustin, TX, 78704
(512) 480-9264
Austin, TX, 78704
Austin, TX, 78704
(512) 480-9264
October 27, 2024
What a fantastic experience we had with Capital Cruises. The bat tour was outstanding. Our captain Lenny was super knowledgeable about the river, the Austin skyline, and, of course, the bats. I highly recommend taking this tour.
October 23, 2024
I was so very pleased with my experience with this company. Took their Bat Watching cruise tour and I had a wonderful time. Our tour guide was witty, informative, friendly and knowledgeable. I was pleased that he didn’t rush the tour, He timed everything perfectly. And of course the highlight of the cruise was watching the bats hundreds of bats take flight. Amazing! Highly recommend this company.
September 21, 2024
The one definitive reason that you should come to Austin is to see this natural phenomenon. The 90 degree heat in Sept didn’t help since AC spoils us but make sure you bring a cooler with cold brews and also bug repellent or long sleeves to avoid the bugs. I didn’t expect the ride to be relaxing but it really was and we had a nice sunset view of the cityscape. Bats were an amazing sight and guano poop smelled like corn chips so just make sure you get the dip.
September 10, 2024
Absolutely loved my experience with the Bat Cruise! Our Capt (Alec? Alex? I’m terrible with names) was an absolute delight to listen to. He was very informative about history of both the development of the lake and of the city and its surrounding buildings and even delving into sub culture of grafiti art on the railway bridge. Got to learn more about some of the really truly unique buildings of Austin’s skyline. And his delivery of his jokes was much appreciated and made me chuckle quite a few times! And best part? WE SAW BATS! he even gave us a lot of information regarding their migration, how the came to roost here, etc. super informative and appreciated so so much! Also the ease of obtaining tickets and the price was much much appreciated (especially in this economy lol). I’ll end with that I’m a flight attendant and have done quite a lot of excursions including a Chicago River architectural boat tour… but this was way way cool and definitely on the top of my list of favorite layover activities! 10/10!
September 1, 2024
We had a great time on the Capital Cruises Bat Tour! A nice, slow boat ride around the “lake” with some fun Austin facts explained by our Captain Alex. Weather was perfect, and the bats were plentiful! Entire tour lasted about 1.5 hours. It’s an open air boat, with no amenities. You can grab drinks inside the Hyatt and bring them on the cruise if you want. Nice experience. We would do it again!
July 31, 2024
It was amazing experience, just something you need to see in person. Pics don't do justice. You can view from on top of the bridge, under the bridge, or pay to get on a boat. Look in the distance and it looks like a trailing line of black smoke. The shear number of bats is astonishing, with a steady mass flow of bats going on for about an hour. Timing depends on when during the year but figure they start maybe a half hour before sunset.
July 31, 2024
It was amazing experience, just something you need to see in person. Pics don't do justice. You can view from on top of the bridge, under the bridge, or pay to get on a boat. Look in the distance and it looks like a trailing line of black smoke. The shear number of bats is astonishing, with a steady mass flow of bats going on for about an hour. Timing depends on when during the year but figure they start maybe a half hour before sunset.
July 30, 2024
Had the pleasure of joining one of their evening cruises, and it was simply fantastic. The boat had seats and was well-maintained, offering plenty of seating with great views from every angle as we cruised along Lady Bird Lake. The captain of the boat, Carson, was very knowledgeable and shared fascinating insights about the city and the famous Congress Avenue Bridge bats. Their enthusiasm and expertise added so much to the experience. As dusk approached, the anticipation built, and we were not disappointed. Watching thousands of bats emerge from under the bridge and take flight against the backdrop of the setting sun was truly awesome. It's a sight that has to be seen to be believed. The entire experience was well-organized, from boarding to the actual tour. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Austin. It's an absolute must-see!
July 24, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We had an amazing experience with Capital Cruises! We went on their bat tour by boat and it was absolutely fascinating. The staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, providing us with interesting facts about the bats and their habitat. Watching thousands of bats emerge at sunset was a truly unforgettable sight. The boat was comfortable and well-maintained, offering excellent views of the spectacle. This tour is a must-do for anyone visiting the area. Highly recommended!
Total Score:3000
Michael Herdeen
Visiting from NJ and this was a "must do" from several friends and family members. Without a doubt, the best $15 you can spend in Austin. The cruise ran close to 90 minutes and Captain Gabe provided lots of history and stories of the area. Very informative! The night time skyline views are amazing and watching the bats leave their nests was certainly a unique experience. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the area. Quick tip: if you get here early, we found free street parking right in front of the Hyatt (parking is free on Sundays) and walked over to the Yeti Flagship store on the corner and enjoyed several cocktails at the bar. You can order a drink/beer and wander the store while shopping.