Lake Austin Scenic History 2-Hour Fully Shaded Pontoon Tour for All Ages
by Wake Riderz Boat Rental Lake Austin
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$138Overview
This 2-hour pontoon boat tour on Lake Austin offers a fully shaded, comfortable ride suitable for guests of all ages, including families, seniors, and school groups. The boat departs from a public Travis County boat ramp about 20 minutes from downtown Austin. Guests should arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for parking, entry, and signing a waiver. The tour features a smooth, seated cruise with dual overhead canopies providing full sun shading. U.S. Coast Guard - approved life vests are provided and required for guests under 13. Bottled water is included. Food and moderate alcohol consumption are allowed onboard, but glass containers and smoking are prohibited. There are no restrooms on the boat, so guests should use facilities before boarding. A park entry fee is payable in cash at the boat ramp upon arrival. Parking is limited on weekends, so rideshare is recommended. This is a small-group public shared tour, so other guests may be onboard. The route covers the 22-mile length of Lake Austin, known for its clear, constant-level water and privately owned waterfront and cliffside homes. The captain provides live narration throughout the tour, describing the lake’s history, notable landmarks, and waterfront properties. Key sights along the way include the Pennybacker Bridge, a 1,150-foot steel arch built in 1982 that spans Lake Austin and connects the north and south sections of the Capital of Texas Highway. The tour passes the Austin Country Club, a private golf club on the lake’s banks featuring an 18-hole course designed by Pete Dye. Mount Bonnell, a 5-acre park nearly 800 feet above the lake, offers views of the lake and surrounding hills. The boat also passes The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria, a 14-acre site with an Italian-style villa built in 1916, now home to an outdoor sculpture park, art museum, and art school. The tour continues past Tom Miller Dam, constructed in 1940 for flood control and hydroelectric power, which separates Lake Austin from Lady Bird Lake. A 35-acre wildlife preserve on the lake’s shore is visible from the boat; this area is home to rare and endangered species and is accessible only by guided tours. The tour maintains a calm pace suitable for guests who prefer to remain seated and not swim.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Lake Austin
Lake Austin is a 22-mile public lake with clear water at a constant level. It features private waterfront and cliffside homes, several shoreside restaurants, and is home to world champion wake surfers Ashley Kidd and Raleigh Hager. The lake is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Austin.
120 min
Pennybacker Bridge
The Pennybacker Bridge is a 1,150-foot-long steel arch built in 1982. It connects the north and south sections of the Capital of Texas Highway. Its arch design avoids support columns in the water to allow water skiers, wake surfers, and boaters to pass underneath on the 22 miles of water below without obstruction.
Austin Country Club
This private golf club sits on the banks of Lake Austin and includes an 18-hole course designed by architect Pete Dye. It hosts tournaments such as the WGC Dell Match Play and was home to golf legend Harvey Penick.
Mount Bonnell
Mount Bonnell is a 5-acre park nearly 800 feet above Lake Austin. Its cliffs provide views of the lake and the surrounding hills of Austin.
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
This 14-acre site includes an Italian-style lakeside villa built in 1916 that was once home to philanthropist Clara Driscoll. It now houses The Contemporary Austin’s outdoor sculpture park, art museum, and art school.
Tom Miller Dam
Tom Miller Dam began operation in 1940 and was built for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. Lake Austin lies upstream of the dam, and Lady Bird Lake lies downstream. Both lakes were created by the dam's construction.
Wildlife Preserve
The 35-acre wildlife preserve on Lake Austin’s shore protects rare, endangered, or threatened species. It is open to the public through guided tours only.
Meeting point
After entering the park, walk toward the water where the three boat ramps are located on the left side. Please wait by the bench at the top on the right side of the ramps. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early, as the boat departs on time.
End point
After entering the park, walk toward the water where the three boat ramps are located on the left side. Please wait by the bench at the top on the right side of the ramps. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early, as the boat departs on time.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Lake Austin Scenic History 2-Hour Fully Shaded Pontoon Tour for All Ages
by Wake Riderz Boat Rental Lake Austin
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$138Overview
This 2-hour pontoon boat tour on Lake Austin offers a fully shaded, comfortable ride suitable for guests of all ages, including families, seniors, and school groups. The boat departs from a public Travis County boat ramp about 20 minutes from downtown Austin. Guests should arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for parking, entry, and signing a waiver. The tour features a smooth, seated cruise with dual overhead canopies providing full sun shading. U.S. Coast Guard - approved life vests are provided and required for guests under 13. Bottled water is included. Food and moderate alcohol consumption are allowed onboard, but glass containers and smoking are prohibited. There are no restrooms on the boat, so guests should use facilities before boarding. A park entry fee is payable in cash at the boat ramp upon arrival. Parking is limited on weekends, so rideshare is recommended. This is a small-group public shared tour, so other guests may be onboard. The route covers the 22-mile length of Lake Austin, known for its clear, constant-level water and privately owned waterfront and cliffside homes. The captain provides live narration throughout the tour, describing the lake’s history, notable landmarks, and waterfront properties. Key sights along the way include the Pennybacker Bridge, a 1,150-foot steel arch built in 1982 that spans Lake Austin and connects the north and south sections of the Capital of Texas Highway. The tour passes the Austin Country Club, a private golf club on the lake’s banks featuring an 18-hole course designed by Pete Dye. Mount Bonnell, a 5-acre park nearly 800 feet above the lake, offers views of the lake and surrounding hills. The boat also passes The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria, a 14-acre site with an Italian-style villa built in 1916, now home to an outdoor sculpture park, art museum, and art school. The tour continues past Tom Miller Dam, constructed in 1940 for flood control and hydroelectric power, which separates Lake Austin from Lady Bird Lake. A 35-acre wildlife preserve on the lake’s shore is visible from the boat; this area is home to rare and endangered species and is accessible only by guided tours. The tour maintains a calm pace suitable for guests who prefer to remain seated and not swim.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Lake Austin
Lake Austin is a 22-mile public lake with clear water at a constant level. It features private waterfront and cliffside homes, several shoreside restaurants, and is home to world champion wake surfers Ashley Kidd and Raleigh Hager. The lake is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Austin.
120 min
Pennybacker Bridge
The Pennybacker Bridge is a 1,150-foot-long steel arch built in 1982. It connects the north and south sections of the Capital of Texas Highway. Its arch design avoids support columns in the water to allow water skiers, wake surfers, and boaters to pass underneath on the 22 miles of water below without obstruction.
Austin Country Club
This private golf club sits on the banks of Lake Austin and includes an 18-hole course designed by architect Pete Dye. It hosts tournaments such as the WGC Dell Match Play and was home to golf legend Harvey Penick.
Mount Bonnell
Mount Bonnell is a 5-acre park nearly 800 feet above Lake Austin. Its cliffs provide views of the lake and the surrounding hills of Austin.
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria
This 14-acre site includes an Italian-style lakeside villa built in 1916 that was once home to philanthropist Clara Driscoll. It now houses The Contemporary Austin’s outdoor sculpture park, art museum, and art school.
Tom Miller Dam
Tom Miller Dam began operation in 1940 and was built for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. Lake Austin lies upstream of the dam, and Lady Bird Lake lies downstream. Both lakes were created by the dam's construction.
Wildlife Preserve
The 35-acre wildlife preserve on Lake Austin’s shore protects rare, endangered, or threatened species. It is open to the public through guided tours only.
Meeting point
After entering the park, walk toward the water where the three boat ramps are located on the left side. Please wait by the bench at the top on the right side of the ramps. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early, as the boat departs on time.
End point
After entering the park, walk toward the water where the three boat ramps are located on the left side. Please wait by the bench at the top on the right side of the ramps. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early, as the boat departs on time.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.