Capital Cruises Bat Watching and Sightseeing Tours
Table Of Content
Austin's resident bats are Mexican free-tailed bats, which migrate each spring from central Mexico to various roosts all over the southwestern U.S. Visitors can definitely bring cameras or phones to capture the mesmerizing bat behavior during the experience. Photography tips include adjusting settings for low light and quick movements. The chance to capture the city’s natural inhabitants in their element adds a unique touch to this memorable experience, blending the beauty of nature with the urban landscape of Austin. Mexican free-tailed bats live for 8-9 years and only grow to weigh roughly 12 grams.
Welcome to Capital Cruises
Persons kayaking must be able to paddle (basic instruction provided) and be less than 250lbs. Lockers are available on the dock for personal items that need storing. At the end of the season, you can see roughly 1.5 million bats ascending into the summer sky.
Experience Highlights
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. It is a spectacular sight to see the bats emerge from the bridge at sunset!
Public Bat Tours
Guests are sure to be captivated by the graceful flight patterns of the bats as they fill the sky, creating a spectacle against the vibrant hues of the setting sun. The tranquil atmosphere and the breathtaking views make this an unforgettable experience. Tours run March - October, departing approximately 30 minutes before sunset. 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.
041424 Bats Cruise in 12-5 Sunday Showdown Fireflies - MiLB.com
041424 Bats Cruise in 12-5 Sunday Showdown Fireflies.
Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:50:48 GMT [source]
If you'd rather make it a more active experience, you can watch the bats emerge from the trail. There are many spots along the Butler Hike & Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake where you can stand to enjoy the view. Try to find a spot east of the Congress Avenue Bridge with a clear view of the sky, but be sure to not block the trail from runners, walkers and cyclists passing by. You can also rent a kayak, stand up paddleboard board, canoe or water bike and join the other aquatic adventurers that float around under the bridge around sunset. Feedback from your indicates a generally positive experience with the sunset boat cruise and bat watching tour in Austin. Austin is home to the roughly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats from late spring to early fall.
Imagine your social occasion on a delightful cruise right through the heart of downtown Austin, Texas aboard a Lone Star Riverboat. Private charters are available year-round for groups of 30 to 100 people. Parking there should be $25.00 per vehicle for up to 3 hours, after which you may be subject to additional charges.
Love & Boat
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.
Bat viewing is available on a nightly public tour, March through mid-November, or you can customize a private excursion with dinner, cocktails, and more. Please use the GET A QUOTE button for rates for a private cruise. Experience the exhilaration of the outdoors, the abundant waterfowl, our ever changing city skyline and the natural beauty that is Austin. We offer public, narrated sightseeing cruises or witness the spectacular emergence of the world famous Mexican free-tailed bats on our sunset/bat watching cruises! Come see the sights and learn about Austin or jazz up your next occasion and have a private party aboard The Lone Star, the largest electric powered paddle wheeler in the nation.
Can We Bring Cameras or Phones to Take Pictures During the Bat-Watching Experience?
The Statesmen Bat Observation Center, just southeast of Congress Bridge, does not cost much, and is available for public use. With standing room along the top portion of the bridge and the closest parking to Congress Bridge, the Observation Center is definitely worth looking into if you want to see the bats. If you are familiar at all with bats, you know that they are nocturnal creatures by nature, and as the sun sets, they take flight, looking to consume any and all unsuspecting insects that happen to be airborne.
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.
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.
Guide to Seeing the Bats in Austin - Do512 Family
Guide to Seeing the Bats in Austin.
Posted: Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The opportunity for sunset photography was well-received, capturing Austin’s skyline as dusk fell. Plus, guests enjoyed observing bat behavior at the Congress Avenue bridge. The various bat tours begin in the evening, and start in early March, proceeding until November. Worst case scenario is that the bats do not take flight due to inclement weather, but the tours still afford many amazing photo opportunities. Located in Austin, Texas, the Sunset Boat Cruise with Bat Watching offers a unique opportunity to witness the famous Congress Bridge bats in action.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore Austin’s landmarks on a twilight cruise with a unique bat-watching twist. It's also worth checking out some other tours and experiences nearby. An intriguing fact about Austin’s ‘Sunset Boat Cruise With Bat Watching’ is that over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats call the Congress Avenue bridge home during certain months of the year. Capital Cruises provides a unique glimpse of Lady Bird Lake with a public daytime Sightseeing Tour. Sunset Sightseeing Tours are offered November through February (weather permitting).
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.
An estimated 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats live under the Congress Avenue Bridge. It is the largest urban colony in North America, recognized by National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, and various other news media. Come relax on the lake, observe our unusual attraction, and listen to the narration and history provided by your captain. While it is not known exactly where the bats go every night, the majority of the colony flies east and hunts for insects along the Colorado River. The entire colony doesn’t travel together to the same place, nor do they stay out for the same amount of time each night.
Or you can customize your own excursion with dinner, cocktails, and more. The tour provides a perfect opportunity to learn about the city’s culture and history with insightful on-board commentary. One of the highlights includes encountering the largest urban bat colony at the Congress Avenue bridge, offering a unique and thrilling experience for visitors.
Comments
Post a Comment