Bats!
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The bats were happy to find that the miniscule crevices under the bridge were ideal for building a colony and housing many, many bats. With the assistance of time, purportedly, the colony eventually grew to be about one and half million strong, which is impressive, to say the least. As the boat cruises along Lady Bird Lake, guests are treated to a mesmerizing tour of the city’s most renowned sites. From the majestic Texas Capitol to the historic Paramount Theatre, each landmark holds a piece of Austin’s unique story.
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As the sun begins to set over Austin, guests on the sunset boat cruise with bat watching can anticipate an intimate and enlightening experience in a small group setting led by a knowledgeable live guide. The small group dynamics foster interactive experiences, allowing for personalized attention and building group camaraderie. This setting enables guests to engage closely with the guide, asking questions and sharing the excitement of witnessing Austin come to life at sunset. The live guide not only enhances the tour with area history and insights but also ensures that each participant feels included and valued. It’s a fantastic opportunity to bond with fellow travelers while enjoying the beauty of Lady Bird Lake and the thrill of watching the Congress Bridge bats take flight.
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The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge is the home of the largest urban bat colony in the world. Austin's bats are Mexican free-tailed bats and use the bridge as their maternity roost, migrating each spring from central Mexico to have their pups here before returning to Mexico in autumn. Our cruises provide the best possible vantage point for one of the most incredible wildlife spectacles in the world!
Bat-Watching Experience and Sunset View
The Austin locals are also happy with the environmentally conscious bats whom eat an estimated thirty thousand pounds of insects every single night, reducing the need for any pesticide usage. Not to mention that those pesky mosquitoes virtually do not exist due to the hungry creatures eating them every night. Guests can bring their own cameras and binoculars to enhance their bat-watching experience. Capture stunning sunset photography and observe bat behavior up close.
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Their wingspan is about 11”, but with their wings retracted, they can fit in the palm of a hand. These aforementioned Mexican Free-Tailed bats can live almost a decade and can weigh approximately twelve grams with a wingspan of eleven, or so, inches. If they do not spread their wings, however, they are the size of an average adult’s palm.
Now offering guided kayak tours for sunset/bat watching
The 2.5-hour duration ensures a comprehensive experience, with ample time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city as it transitions from day to night. Plus, the free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the tour provides peace of mind, allowing guests to adjust their plans if needed. Choose from one of three different Lone Star Riverboats to host your next Austin adventure.
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All bat watching cruises will be on one of our THREE smaller boats, The Southern Star, The Northern Star or The Little Star. Bats are nocturnal animals, therefore they are least active during the day while they’re asleep. The bats live in the crevices on the underside of Congress Avenue Bridge and fly out of the east side of the bridge each evening to hunt for insects and bugs. The bats only call Austin home for a portion of the year from spring to late fall. The colony will typically begin to appear in late March and stay until temperatures start to drop around September/October.
Guests can enjoy a peaceful evening on Lady Bird Lake while learning about the city’s history and gaining local insights. This experience promises an unforgettable blend of nature and urban adventure. Cruising along Lady Bird Lake, guests are immersed in the enchanting experience of witnessing the Congress Bridge bats taking flight against the backdrop of a stunning sunset. The bat-watching experience and sunset view offer a unique blend of natural beauty and wildlife interaction. Yes, there’s a restroom on board the boat during the tour, ensuring comfort for all guests. While enjoying the stunning sunset views, visitors can easily access facilities.
With a flight speed of 60 miles per hour, insects do not stand a chance, leaving spectators awestruck by the bats amazing and erratic flight patterns. Each evening, the flight path of the bats is unique and different from the previous, creating anticipation as bat enthusiasts await the cacophony of nocturnal, leathery wings. Restroom availability is ensured on board for guests’ comfort during the sunset cruise. As they marvel at the stunning sunset views, they can conveniently use the facilities. Enjoy the adventure without worrying about missing any part of the experience.
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On their nightly flights the bats eat anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 pounds of insects, including mosquitoes and harmful agricultural pests. Visitors and residents alike line up nightly on the Congress Avenue Bridge to witness the bats fly out from beneath the bridge, forming a surreal dark cloud as they ascend into the night sky. Arrive early for a front row spot (the sidewalk gets crowded) and be sure to face the east, as the bats will fly out in that direction. A 1980 renovation transformed the Congress Avenue Bridge into an ideal bat cave, soon attracting migrating Mexican free-tailed bats. Decades later, Austin's bat numbers have swelled and locals have adopted the beloved creatures as neighbors who happily handle the city's bug mitigation and provide an amazing nightly show. Witness the magic of Austin’s illuminated skyline and the enchanting Congress Avenue bridge bat colony on the captivating Sunset Boat Cruise with Bat Watching in Austin.
With all of the female bats in Austin, let us not forget about the bountiful male population, as well. The male bats will generally cluster in small groups ranging from twenty to one hundred, often times being found roosting on building alcoves, and the like. The bats population reached maximum capacity in approximately three years, stacking on top of one another in the aforementioned crevices. This brought about the locals dubbing the northern portion of the bridge the “nursery”, which is where the mama bats leave their offspring as they go about their night-time insect hunting. They then return to the nursery and use scent and echo location to find their bundles of nocturnal mammalian joy, which they then nurse before resting.
Make sure to adjust camera settings for optimal wildlife observation during this unforgettable adventure. Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like. Set out on a journey through Austin’s vibrant culture and captivating sunset views aboard the Sunset Boat Cruise with Bat Watching. As the sun dips below the horizon, the warm hues paint a mesmerizing sunset ambiance, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. The tour guide’s insightful commentary provides a deep dive into the city’s past, offering a blend of landmark exploration and culture. Guests can witness the beauty of Willie Nelson Statue and the grandeur of Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, gaining a profound understanding of Austin’s heritage.
With a knowledgeable guide, iconic landmarks, and complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off, this tour offers a magical experience you won’t soon forget. Set out on a Sunset Boat Cruise with Bat Watching in Austin for an enchanting evening filled with stunning views, fascinating bat sightings, and a deep dive into the city’s culture. The sight of thousands of bats taking flight at dusk is just the beginning of this captivating journey.
You are welcome to bring your own beverages on the Little Star, Southern Star, and Lone Star. Embrace the wonderful weirdness of Austin and come out to see the spectacle of the Congress Avenue Bridge bats for yourself. Be sure to share your bat-watching experience by posting pictures on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #TrueAustin.
Most of the visitors that venture into Austin, Texas have heard of the city’s reputation for being home to a colony of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats. Many bat watchers from around the globe visit the Congress Bridge between Spring and Fall, to witness these majestic-winged creatures in flight. With a small group setting and a knowledgeable guide, this tour offers a personalized and insightful experience.
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. 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.
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