Established in 1991, Capital Cruises is the largest all-electric boat fleet on the Highland Lakes. Nestled on the shores of beautiful Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (208 Barton Springs Rd, 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.
Capital Cruises offers an atmosphere suitable for families and participants of all ages. Beautiful sunsets and an exciting variety of flora and fauna create a unique backdrop to weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, and bachelor/bachelorette parties. Capital Cruises offers customized event planning, from unique locations to catering to live entertainment.
Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner for two or planning a larger dinner cruise for your office, family, or friends that you are look, Capital Cruises has a wide array of boats and dinner options to suit your wishes and fit your budget.
Our catering is provided by the Four-Diamond Hyatt Regency Hotel.
We can customize an event for any group size and budget.
Capital Cruises’ internationally famous bat-watching excursion departs nightly approximately 30 minutes before sunset and lasts roughly one hour in length.
The Congress Avenue Bridge is the home of the largest urban bat colony in the world. Our cruises provide the best possible viewing for one of the most incredible wildlife spectacles in the world! Bat viewing is available on a public tour nightly March through mid-November. Or you can customize your own excursion with dinner, cocktails, and more.
Capital Cruises now offers SUPatx boards on Lady Bird Lake. Skip the lines at other facilities on the lake! Come down, get right on the water, and paddle past Auditorium Shores, Barton Creek, Zilker Park, and the Congress Avenue Bridge with the panoramic backdrop of the dynamic Austin skyline and many great restaurants and bars a short walk from the dock. Paddleboards are easy to learn and fun for everyone. Walk, cab, bus, or drive to paddle the best boards on the lake.
For any party between 9 and 140 passengers, our versatile fleet provides the ultimate Austin experience. Whether you are looking charter a boat out for a cocktail cruise to break away from the confines of the office or convention site, or desire an unconventional way to show off Austin for your friends and family on your wedding weekend, Capital Cruises presents a relaxing, idyllic alternative to the standard venue.
You can bring your own food and drinks or book catering through us. We have the capability and flexibility to house whatever event you might be hoping to throw.
Now offering guided kayak tours for sunset/bat watching
Looking to get out on the lake on a kayak to see the bats? Capital Cruises now offers a guided kayak tour Thursdays through Saturday evenings. Cost is $55 per tandem kayak (for two people) and includes a ~1.75 – 2 hour tour. See views of the downtown skyline as well as watch the emergence of the largest urban bat colony in the world!
Get an instant quote online! Non-binding quotes with additional add-on options, enter as many as you would like, and let the quote generator do the work for you. Our knowledgeable staff will call shortly after you enter your quote to answer questions and to follow up on booking.
Per state guidelines, we are open for our normal hours with limited capacity for private events and tours. Rentals of all personal watercraft are open as normal. All private and public offerings are setup with social distancing protocols and capacities. All vessels are sanitized before and after each use. All staff members are well checked before beginning work. NOTE: Current State Orders require a face covering for all customers and staff. Face Coverings must be worn at check in, during boarding and de-boarding. Guests paddling may remove masks while out on the water. Tour guests must wear a face covering at all times. Please click the button below for specifics.
Established in 1991, Capital Cruises is the largest all-electric boat fleet on the Highland Lakes. Nestled on the shores of beautiful Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on 208 Barton Springs Rd, 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.
Connect with Capital Cruises using Facebook or Twitter, and get insider information and special offers.
To our valued customers of Capital Cruises:
July 1st, 2020 COVID-19 Update
We are open daily Monday-Friday from 10 am till Dusk and Saturday-Sunday from 9 am till dusk. All private and public offerings are setup with social distancing protocols and capacities. All vessels are sanitized before and after each use. All staff members are well checked before beginning work. NOTE: Current State Orders require a face covering for all customers and staff. Face Coverings must be worn at check in, during boarding and de-boarding. Guests paddling may remove face coverings while out on the water. Tour guests must wear a face covering at all times.
Rentals of Canoes, Kayaks, Swan Pedal Boats and SUPs will be available during normal business hours and are sanitized after each use. Face Coverings must be worn at check in, during boarding and de-boarding. Guests may remove face coverings while out on the water and seated
Electric boats and Donut boats will also be available by reservation During normal business hours. Due to sanitizing requirements, we have a two hour rental minimum. Face Coverings must be worn at check in, during boarding and de-boarding. Guests may remove face coverings while out on the water and seated. Reservations are required by calling 512-480-9264.
Public Tours are available daily at the 25% capacity guideline and will be set for social distancing. Our bat watching tour currently leaves at 8 pm and is offered nightly. Our sightseeing tour is available Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm. Face Coverings must be worn at check in, during boarding and de-boarding. Guests must wear a face covering at all times. Pre-purchasing tickets online required http://www.capitalcruises.com/bat-watching/
Private reservations on larger boats are available by advance reservations at the mandated 50% of capacity with social distancing protocols. Pricing for these events may be slightly different as we work through capacity compliance. Social distancing must be practiced while aboard and masks must be worn at all times unless eating or drinking. Limitations on catering may exist. Please call for details.
Did you know?
Typical bat viewing varies from night to night but here are the general patterns:
March-mid/late May - Good;
June (birthing month) - varies from night to night with later emergences;
July-Sept/Oct. - Best as the pups are flying with the rest of the colony.
Of course, the bats are wild animals and can change their patterns any time of year. You will have the best opportunity to view the bats from the tour and will get great views and information of the surrounding area. This tour is very popular so book your tickets today! Learn more
DEPARTS NIGHTLY March through early November ~30 minutes before sunset. Adults: $12, Seniors: $9, Children: $7.
The Donut Boat’s unique design allows up to ten people to casually sit around a center table, complete with a cooler in the middle for all your beverages or snacks, while you cruise Lady Bird Lake. The quiet electric motor allows you to easily chat with your friends and drives with the ease of a golf cart on the water. It’s fun for the “hole” family and a “Do-nut” miss it Austin adventure.
Donut Boat FAQs
Looking to get out on the lake on a kayak to see the bats? Capital Cruises now offers a guided kayak tour Thursdays through Saturday evenings. Cost is $55 per tandem kayak (for two people) and includes a ~1.75 – 2 hour tour. See views of the downtown skyline as well as watch the emergence of the largest urban bat colony in the world!
Thursday – Saturday evenings
6:30 pm check-in required
$55/per tandem kayak (for two people)
Approximately 1.75-2 hour tour
Tours have varying departure times but for the month of July 2020 we will depart at ~7pm and return at ~9pm. Check- in is required at 6:30 pm. Feel free to bring a small cooler of snacks or drinks (no glass please). All safety equipment is provided and all tickets are based on two persons on a tandem kayak (single kayaks may be available upon arrival depending on inventory). Persons kayaking must be able to paddle (basic instruction provided) and be less than 250lbs. Tour is weather dependent. Lockers are available on the dock for personal items.
Come take a paddle with us!Book a Guided Kayak Tour (Select “Kayak sunset/bat tour”)
“We hosted our wedding reception on Capital Cruises and let me just tell you – the staff is FANTASTIC!
They worked with me in every way possible. They supported me throughout the process and on the day of the wedding, EVERY little detail was perfect! We had the best captain, the best server and everyone I was in touch with behind the scenes were perfect! They are reliable, responsive and just great.
“This was a really wonderful trip. Capital Cruises leaves from the river by the downtown Marriott in Austin on a “Bat Boat Tour”. Millions of bats live underneath one of the river bridges. At twilight, they all fly out, almost blackening the sky.
“I booked a private electric boat(Duffy) through Capital cruises for a Birthday surprise for my husband. It was quiet easy to call in and make a reservation and the person on the phone was very helpful. They gave me all the basic information and answered all my queries as well…
