river boat cruise austin tx

Internationally Famous Bat Watching Tour

Largest urban bat colony in the world

Watch the bats emerge nightly on our Public Bat-Watching Tour, running from March through mid-November. Or customize a private excursion with dinner, cocktails, and more. See dinner cruise and party boat pricing for rates.

Guided Kayak Tours

Sightseeing tours, private events, capital cruises fleet.

An experience like no other

Welcome to Capital Cruises

Deep in the heart of Austin, TX, we are proud to offer lunch and dinner cruises, wedding events, internationally famous bat-watching excursions, party boat services, and the ultimate alternative for group and corporate outings.

Where are you located?

We are on the boat dock at the lakeside of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Hyatt is located at 208 Barton Springs Road near the intersection of Congress and Barton Springs on the south side of Town Lake. Click here for Map and Directions .

Where can we park?

Unfortunately, there is very little free parking in the area. The Hyatt Regency does have a multi-level parking garage. Parking there should be $25.00 per vehicle for up to 3 hours, after which you may be subject to additional charges. Alternatively, you can typically pay to park at the surface lot adjacent to the hotel, though prices for this and other pay lots in the area may vary depending activities in the surrounding area. Both the Long Center for Performing Arts and Austin City Hall have large pay-parking structures and are a short walk from the dock. Also, One Texas Center off of Riverside Drive typically has available parking. Guests may drop off passengers at the front door of the hotel, but parking there is limited to 5 minutes. Please see map for directions .

When should we arrive?

For PRIVATE CRUISES, boarding time is usually 15 minutes in advance of departure (check with dock personnel for your specific cruise). For larger groups (~20 or more), we suggest telling your group to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure to allow for traffic or other possible delays. If our schedule permits, arrangements can be made for some members of your party to arrive earlier for set-up, decoration, etc. For PUBLIC CRUISES, check-in starts 30 minutes prior to departure. Reservations must be claimed no less than 15 minutes prior to departure, or they are no longer guaranteed, even if they are prepaid. Prepaid reservations are non-refundable unless the reservation was canceled at least 72 hours in advance.

See Austin like never before

Team Building

Live Entertainment

Casino Night

Check out our

Popular Entertainment Add-on Packages

Expert crew members

Meet the Skippers

Kevin Martin

Mike hardson, christine eve.

Our benefits

Why Choose Us

No hidden fees, maintenance of boats, experienced team, come see the spectacle of the world's largest urban bat colony stream from the bridge nightly..

News & Articles

Our Logbook

• Josh Duggan

Donut Boats and Duffy Boats

Show your friends and family the best time on one of our motorized vessels that you can rent and operate yourselves!  First Donut Boats in Texas! The Donut Boat’s unique design seats up to 10 people around a center table, outfitted with a center-post umbrella to shade you while cruising Lady Bird Lake. The quiet […]

Our Brand New Website is Ready to Launch!

We’ve been working behind the scenes for the past few months, poring over every last detail, overhauling our website to best serve you, the customer. Just like the next cruise you book or boat you want to rent, we’re ecstatic to be launching this incarnation of CapitalCruises.com. Throughout the brand new site, you’ll find a […]

Now offering Guided Sunset Tours

Looking to kayak at sunset on the lake? Capital Cruises now offers a Guided Sunset Kayak Tour Thursdays through Saturday evenings. Cost is $40 per person and includes a ~1.5 hour tour. See the striking downtown skyline as well as a great view of the sunset cast against the lake. Thursday – Saturday evenings departing […]

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THE 10 BEST Austin Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in austin.

• Boat Rentals
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Water Sports
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Speed Boats Tours
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Austin Country Club
• Pennybacker Bridge
• Mount Bonnell
• Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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Lone Star Riverboat Sightseeing Tours

4.7 985 votes

208 Barton Springs Road

(512) 327-1388

About Lone Star Riverboat

• 1 hour tour
• Reservations recommended
• Departure time is approximately 30 minutes prior to sunset.
• Departure times may vary, please call for the departure schedule.
• 32' and 35' Electric cruisers
• ADA compliant
• Prices: Adults - $13, Seniors (60 and over) - $13, Children (12 and under) - $8, Children (2 and under) - Free
• Saturday and Sunday - 12:30PM & 3:00PM
• 1 hour narrated tour
• ADA compliant 
• Boarding begins 45 minutes before tour time. 
• Prices: Adults - $13, Seniors (60 and over) - $11, Children (12 and under) - $8, Children (2 and under) - Free
• Friday - 10:30PM
• 1 hour scenic tour
• Boarding begins at 9:45PM
• All Tickets: $13 per ticket
• Friday, Saturday and Sunday - 5:30PM
• Non-alcoholic CASH only beverage service (on the Lone Star) or bring your own beverage of choices
• Boarding begins at 4:45PM until 5:15PM
• Minimum number of people: 30
• Maximum number of people: 130
• $18.00 per person (30 - 80 people)
• $16.00 per person (81 - 130 people)
• Children 2 and under are no charge
• Two hour charter time (plus 30 minutes prior to departure for boarding)
• $200 for each additional hour (may be broken into 1/2 hour increments)
• Catering and beverage service may be arranged at an additional cost (see below)
• Charges are for the number of people guaranteed or on a per person basis, whichever is greater

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Boats Our Boats

Lone Star Riverboat has three different boats for you to choose from, to host your next Austin adventure. Chose bethween luxurious double-decked, paddle-wheel riverboat, or two smaller boats ideal for sunset/bat watching.

The Lone Star

Our largest boat, the Lone Star, is Austin's newest and most luxurious double-decked, paddle-wheel riverboat

The Little Star

The Little Star was built in 2000 and offers sunset/bat watching cruises and sightseeing cruises March through October.

The Southern Star

The Southern Star was built in 2006 and offers sunset/bat watching cruises March through October.

The Northern Star

The Northern Star was built in 2017 and offers sunset/bat watching cruises March through October.

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Lone Star Riverboat © 2017. All rights reserved. Managed by the Best Ways to View the Austin Bats -->

Lake Austin Riverboats

• Open 24 hours

About Lake Austin Riverboats As the longest running riverboat operation in Texas and an official boat of the Texas Navy, Lake Austin Riverboats provides a party venue as unique as Austin itself. Our full crew and captain will do everything to make your birthday, company party, meeting, group event, banquet, rehearsal dinner or wedding memorable. We offer catering, bar service, linen service, theme parties and live music. Whatever you need for your event, we bring it all together at Lake Austin Riverboats. And we're located just five minutes from downtown Austin. We do private Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner cruises for private and corporate events. Our cruises include Catering, Bar service, Captain and Crew. We're located just five minutes from downtown Austin and can host events up to 400 people. Use this link to more about Lake Austin Riverboats and request a quote for your event.

About Our Boats Hand built on Lake Austin, our authentic stern-wheel riverboats are designed to host your large party, wedding, company meeting, club luncheon or other group event. The Commodore, with its vintage twin smoke stacks, can entertain up to 250 guests and has two dining rooms. The Commodore’s Pup, with its open upper deck, can accommodate up to 125 guests. Both boats have A/C and heating for your comfort.

The Beauty of Lake Austin Lake Austin is one of the seven highland lakes in Central Texas. Your chartered course begins at the LCRA dock next to the Tom Miller Dam where free parking is readily available. As we meander up Lake Austin, you’ll enjoy the beauty of the natural limestone cliffs, Mt. Bonnell, some amazing lakefront mansions and spectacular views of the picturesque Pennybacker Bridge. The beauty of Lake Austin and the leisurely pace of our authentic stern wheel boat provide the perfect setting for your event or party. But don't take our word for it. Check out the video below for a bird's eye view of the scenery you'll see when you enjoy an event with Lake Austin Riverboats.

General Property Details

• Miles to Convention Center: 4.5

Facility Information

• Event maximum capacity (# ppl): 450

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Our Riverboats The Commodore's Pup

Our most popular boat for groups between 50-100, the Commodore’s Pup is known for its sleek design and open upper deck. Perfect for watching the sun set and cruising beneath the stars, the Commodore’s Pup can accommodate your event whether it is for a company party or a rehearsal dinner.

• Length 84 ft.
• Capacity 125 guests
• Downstairs banquet facility with open upper deck
• A/C and heat
• On-board restrooms

The Commodore's Pup

• Reservations
• Party Boats
• Boat Rentals
• Explore Travis Lake
• Need to Know

Austin's Boat Tours has been the Official Best of Texas every year since 2013! Being the pioneers of this type and size of double decker parties on Lake Travis, we know how to give you the experience of a lifetime. When it comes to fun, relaxation, lake cruising or partying in Devil's Cove we are the area's local experts. Austin's Boat Tours is one of the only privately owned and operated charter company with it's very own marina, we are a one stop shop for all your lake needs. Services include round trip transportation, food service, bartenders/servers and of course some of the best captains on the lake. With the largest fleet of 10 boats, we are the OG's of Lake Travis boat parties.  See below or click on the tabs for more details. If you have questions not seen on the site feel free to call or text us anytime!  

Public Lake Cruises

If its a fun in the sun or catching the beautiful sunset we go you covered. Our two hour public lake cruises are ideal for small family or couple outings.

Private Charters

Wanting to go to Lake Travis' famous Devil's Cove or maybe a family day in Little Devil's?! We can do that for you with our private charters. 

Let us do the driving for you! We have different vehicle options to fit your needs. We make sure to get you to and from the lake safely.

We had such a fun day out on Austin's Boats Tour for my birthday Shout out thank you to Captain Nick he was such nice, friendly guy asked if we brought food to grill and I said yes so he said he would grill it for us while we have fun in the sun and Shout out to the owner Angel such a beautiful sweet heart and Christina also she was up front was very friendly and welcomed you t o the place I will definitely be going back out their just everyone their was so friendly do recommend Austin's Boat Tour go                             check them out please!                             Guadalupe J 8/20/23

6 years running

Our bachelor party boat day on April 22, 2023 was in great hands with Captain Lee! Everything was seamless from start to finish, including our captain helping arrange an Uber Package delivery of one of the bags we left behind! We tied up to other boats, floated around Lake Travis, and partied like there’s no tomorrow! Would highly recommend! 

Zachary B 4/22/23

Captain Marshall was AWESOME!!! We did the boat tour and it was just me, my wife, and Captain Marshall and it was the best time!! He even offered to take our sunset pics for us! This is our 2nd sunset cruise and we will definitely do it again, thank you Austin Boat Tours and Captain Marshall for an awesome ride! ♥️♥️

Starr Shepard 3/24/23

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