Public & Private Tours

Lake Austin Boat Tours

Explore Lake Austin on a public per-seat or private partially guided boat tour. Your captain shares local history, points out iconic landmarks, and gives you time to relax, take photos, ask questions, and enjoy the scenery.

Reserve Public Tour SeatsReserve a Private Tour

The Tour Experience

Local Stories Without a Nonstop Script

There’s plenty to see along Lake Austin, but we don’t believe a boat tour needs nonstop narration. Your captain points out notable landmarks, shares local history and stories along the way, and is happy to answer questions as you cruise.

Between landmarks and points of interest, there’s time to take photos, talk with your group, and simply enjoy being on the lake.

Looking for a private lake day focused on swimming, relaxing, or celebrating rather than tour commentary? Explore our Lake Austin boat rentals.

Wake Riderz captain speaking with passengers during a partially guided Lake Austin boat tour
Captains share local history and landmark information throughout the tour.

Choose Your Tour

Public Seats or a Private Boat

Join a scheduled public tour by reserving individual seats, or book the entire pontoon for a private experience with your group. Both options include local commentary from your captain throughout the cruise. Current pricing and availability are shown when you select your tour.

Reserve by the Seat

Public Lake Austin Boat Tours

Join a scheduled two-hour cruise and reserve only the seats your party needs. Your captain shares Lake Austin history, points out recognizable landmarks, and answers questions throughout the trip.

  • Seats reserved individually
  • Two-hour scheduled tour
  • BYOB permitted for passengers 21 and older; no glass
  • Complimentary cold bottled water
  • Local history and landmark commentary
  • Small-group sightseeing experience
  • Full dual-Bimini shade when weather and safe operation allow
Reserve Public Tour Seats

Your Group, Your Boat

Private Lake Austin Boat Tours

Reserve the entire pontoon exclusively for your group while enjoying the same partially guided format offered on our public tours. Your captain shares Lake Austin history, identifies landmarks, and answers questions throughout the cruise.

  • Private boat reserved for your group
  • Up to 13 passengers
  • BYOB permitted for passengers 21 and older; no glass
  • Local history and landmark commentary
  • More flexibility for questions and photographs
  • Full shade available by request when conditions allow
Reserve a Private Tour
Wake Riderz boat tour cruising beneath Pennybacker Bridge on Lake Austin
Tour routes include Pennybacker Bridge and other recognizable Lake Austin landmarks.

Along the Route

Discover Lake Austin’s Landmarks

Along the way, your captain points out some of Lake Austin’s best-known landmarks and shares the history and stories behind them. You’ll cruise past places including Pennybacker Bridge, Mount Bonnell, Laguna Gloria, Austin Country Club, and Tom Miller Dam while enjoying the waterfront scenery in between.

Iconic Austin Landmarks

Cruise beneath Pennybacker Bridge and view the cliffs below Mount Bonnell, two of the most recognizable sights along Lake Austin.

History Along the Shoreline

Hear stories about Laguna Gloria, Austin Country Club, Tom Miller Dam, and the places that have shaped the lake and surrounding city.

Waterfront Scenery

See distinctive waterfront homes, wooded shoreline, protected habitat, quiet coves, and other points of interest along the route.

Included With Your Tour

A Comfortable Way to Explore Lake Austin

Wake Riderz tours use 24-foot Bentley pontoons with comfortable seating and adjustable shade. Fuel, life jackets, and required safety equipment are included with every tour.

Every Wake Riderz captain is experienced and has completed a TPWD-certified Texas boater education course covering boating safety, navigation rules, and boat operation.

  • Experienced captain
  • Fuel
  • 24-foot Bentley pontoon
  • Comfortable seating
  • Life jackets and required safety equipment
  • Landmark and history commentary
  • Time for photographs and questions
  • Boarding at Loop 360 Boat Ramp

Shade Options

Public tours generally operate with full dual-Bimini shade based on the weather and safe operation. Private tours can request full shade when conditions allow.

Passengers relaxing under shade during a Wake Riderz boat tour on Lake Austin
Public tours normally run with full shade depending on weather and safe boat operation.

Tour Questions

Lake Austin Boat Tour FAQs

What is a partially guided Lake Austin boat tour?

Your captain shares local history, identifies landmarks, and answers questions during the cruise without narrating continuously from a fixed script. This leaves time to relax, talk with your group, take photographs, and enjoy the lake.

What is the difference between public and private tours?

Public tours are scheduled trips sold by the individual seat. Private tours reserve the entire boat for people in your group while providing a similar partially guided experience.

How long are the tours?

The standard public tour lasts approximately two hours. Private tour durations and available start times depend on the selected reservation.

Will the boat have shade?

Public tours generally operate with the full dual-Bimini shade configured according to the weather and safe operation. Full shade is optional on private tours when conditions allow.

Which landmarks will we see on a Lake Austin boat tour?

Along the tour, you'll pass some of Lake Austin's best-known landmarks and points of interest, including Pennybacker Bridge, Mount Bonnell, Laguna Gloria, Austin Country Club, Tom Miller Dam, and distinctive waterfront homes. Routes may occasionally change due to weather, lake conditions, or safe operation.

Where do Lake Austin boat tours depart?

Tours board and return at Loop 360 Boat Ramp beneath Pennybacker Bridge at 5019 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746.

Explore Lake Austin

Choose a Public Tour or Reserve the Entire Boat

Reserve individual seats on a scheduled public tour or book a private partially guided boat tour for your group.

Reserve Public SeatsReserve Private Tour