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, TPWD-educated captain
  • Fuel included
  • 24-foot Bentley pontoon with comfortable seating
  • 100% BYOB-friendly (no glass containers)
  • Complimentary cold bottled water
  • Life jackets and required safety equipment
  • Landmark commentary and Austin local history
  • Time for photographs and questions
  • Boarding at Loop 360 Boat Ramp

All tours depart beneath the Pennybacker Bridge. View our Loop 360 Boat Ramp guide for parking instructions, rideshare drop-off locations, and arrival tips.

Shade Options

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

Explore More Experiences

Not Sure if a Boat Tour Is Right for You?

Private Recreational Lake Days: If your group wants to swim, anchor with an Aqua Lily Pad water mat, and celebrate without tour narration, book our primary Lake Austin boat rentals.

Sunset Cruises: Looking for evening golden-hour views of the 360 Bridge and lakefront estates? Explore our private sunset boat cruises.

Lake Travis & Devil's Cove: Prefer deep open waters, limestone bluffs, or party cove tie-ups? Check out our captained Lake Travis boat rentals departing from Mansfield Dam Park.

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 plenty of time to relax, talk with your group, take photographs, and enjoy the scenery.

Can we bring drinks, alcohol, or snacks on the tour?

Yes, all Wake Riderz tours are 100% BYOB-friendly. Guests 21 and older may bring beer, wine, seltzers, and personal snacks. Complimentary cold bottled water is provided on board. Glass bottles and glass containers are strictly prohibited on the lake.

What is the difference between a boat tour and a private boat rental?

Boat tours focus on sightseeing, local Austin history, and recognizable landmarks like Pennybacker Bridge and Mount Bonnell. Private boat rentals are unstructured lake outings designed for swimming, partying, relaxing on the Aqua Lily Pad floating water mat, and cruising at your own pace.

What is the difference between public and private tours?

Public tours are scheduled trips sold by the individual seat, making them ideal for couples and small groups. Private tours reserve the entire 24-foot pontoon exclusively for your party of up to 13 passengers with a flexible, partially guided format.

How long are the tours?

The standard scheduled public tour lasts approximately two hours. Private tour durations and custom start times can be selected during booking.

Will the boat have shade?

Public tours generally operate with full dual-Bimini shade tops configured according to weather and safe boat operation. Full shade is also available on private tours upon request.

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

You will cruise past iconic Austin landmarks including the Pennybacker Bridge (Loop 360), the limestone cliffs of Mount Bonnell, historic Laguna Gloria, the Austin Country Club, Tom Miller Dam, and distinctive architectural waterfront estates.

Do you offer boat tours on Lake Travis?

Our guided sightseeing tours operate exclusively on Lake Austin because of its calm, constant-level waters and historic shoreline landmarks. For open-water cruising, cove tie-ups, or Devil’s Cove excursions, we offer private captained charters departing Mansfield Dam Park on Lake Travis.

Where do Lake Austin boat tours depart from?

Tours board and return at Loop 360 Boat Ramp beneath Pennybacker Bridge at 5019 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746. We recommend arriving 20 to 30 minutes before departure for easy parking and boarding.

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