Bat Bridge Kayak at Sunset

Highlights

• Watch the emergence from directly beneath the colony
• Flat water and a 20-minute paddle — no experience needed
• Downtown skyline behind you as the lights come on
• Guides read the night's timing so you aren't waiting in the dark

About this experience

Around 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats live in the expansion joints under the Congress Avenue bridge — the largest urban bat colony in North America. Most people watch from the rail. You will be underneath.

We launch an hour before sunset, paddle east on flat water with the skyline behind you, and raft up below the bridge for the emergence. Guides call the timing from the day's temperature, so you are in position before the first column leaves.

Single and tandem kayaks; no experience needed, the water is flat and slow. Bats are seasonal — roughly March to early November.

What's included

Meeting point

Congress Avenue Bridge — north-east boat ramp
Congress Ave Bridge, Austin, TX 78701

Know before you go

• Bats are seasonal — roughly March to early November
• Wear something you don't mind splashing
• Arrive 20 minutes before launch to fit your buoyancy aid

Reviews

About the operator

Paddle, swim and ride guides working the river and the greenbelt since 2011.