Ask anyone who’s spent a warm month or two in Austin: you just can’t picture the lake without a lively dotting of people on paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes along the water. Sports, leisure, and fun are typical on any summer roster, but us lucky few who live near the lake know that everything's better on the water. So stick around and don't let yourself miss out – from folks who have never set foot on a boat to those whose weekends start and end with a paddleboard being thrown into the bed of their truck, we’re sure to have something new for you.
So iconic it feels like a resident of the city itself, let’s start off strong with good ol’ Town Lake. While you probably shouldn’t swim here, it’s a hot spot for the sporty Austinite who prefers their sun-soaking done with a paddle in hand.
Texas Rowing Center
Open Daily 6AM - Dusk | $15 - $25
Located right on the shore along the Zilker Park trail, TRC offers daily canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals as well as a free docking area for those who brought their own boats. The rental service provides life vests and lockboxes for small belongings so that once you’re off land, the only thing on your mind is the water in front of you. For those who'd like to try their hand at a new sport, TRC also hosts rowing classes junior and senior divisions.
Capital Cruises
Open 10AM - 9PM Mon - Fri (9AM Sat & Sun) | $18 - $40
Docking from the Hyatt Regency Boat Dock, Capital Cruises doesn’t just stop at kayaks and canoes. They provide donut boats (the first to do it in Texas!), duffy boats, stand-up paddleboards, and even swan pedal boats. Folks who find themselves drawn in by the whimsy of guided cruises can explore their larger rental options, including large-size destination yachts with multifaceted utility, smaller “Myachts,” and even exclusive “Sunset Bat Watching Boats.” One thing’s for certain: whatever the occasion, there’s no shortage of fun to be had.
Retro Boat Rentals
Open 8:15AM - 7:15PM Daily | $160 - $290
Offering an experience unlike any other, Retro Boat Rentals ATX provides daily rental services for repurposed authentic retro boats from 1958-1964. Small and meant to be self-driven, they’re perfect for a romantic, fun, or family evening spent traveling back in time to the "jet age." Their dock is located behind Waller Creek Boathouse and they maintain a controlled boundary east of the First Street Bridge so that visitors can cruise around in style.
Lady Bird Lake Rentals
Open 10AM - 7PM Mon - Fri, 9AM Sat-Sun | $40 - $50
Aiming to provide a casual, laid-back visit for those who want to experience the refreshing beauty of one of Austin’s most iconic spots, Lady Bird Lake Rentals offers up their passion and expertise to ensure even beginners leave feeling their best. With paddleboards and both single and double kayaks available to rent, they provide an assurance of quality in gear that speaks to their dedication and love for the craft. Located at the Town Lake Holiday Inn, they’re a prime option for both the novice and expert lake-goer.
For the more energetic party-lover, Lake Austin is multi-functional. Although it boasts more allowances for motorized boating and swimming, it remains a beautiful destination whether you’ll be up on a paddleboard or pontoon deck (whatever floats your boat).
Lake Austin Calm Paddle Board Beach
Open 10AM - 9PM Daily | $20-$200
Those who prefer their morning coffee with a view that's blue may find themselves in the mood for a post-breakfast paddleboard session afterwards. Lucky for them, Lake Austin Calm Paddle Board Beach offers hourly and full-day rentals for both paddle boards and donut boats from their dock located at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. Don’t miss their Friday Neon Paddle Nights as a vibrant kick-off to an unforgettable weekend.
Austin Rental Boats
Open 7AM - 9PM Daily | $39 - $1800
Situated in a no-wake zone, Austin Rental Boats offers a relaxing experience on calm waters with scenic views. Their services are almost entirely dedicated to providing fully-captained pontoon boats that can either be rented out in their entirety or boarded individually on per-person tickets. Similar to Lake Austin Calm, their docks located out of Mozart's Coffee Roasters also offer self-driven donut boats for a more controlled, family-centered lakefront outing.
Wave in Water Boat Rentals
Open 9AM - 8PM Daily | $395 - $1600
Planning an event? Wave in Water Boat Rentals provides a large fleet of double decker barges and luxury pontoons for the ultimate bachelorette party, birthday celebration, or corporate excursion. Accommodating groups who would prefer their rental to be self-captained and those who wouldn’t, they’re dedicated to creating a seamless and stress-free boating experience for every need under the (hot) sun.
Deeper, more expansive, and about half an hour west of Austin’s city center, Lake Travis has a wild, unrestrained vibe that fits perfectly alongside an adventurous summer. Although its size allows it to be host to many more activities, it’s a great getaway for the average paddleboard or boat enthusiast.
Lakeway Marina Boat Rentals
Open 8AM - 8PM Tue - Sun, 7PM Mon | $20-$1620
As the longest-standing Marina on Lake Travis, the Lakeway Marina offers a full selection of rentals including pontoons, jet skis, and paddleboards. With a dedicated team behind them, this Marina is a top-shelf option for the perfect lake day.
Float On Boat Rentals
Open 7AM - 9PM | $69 - $300
Boasting the largest fleet in the area, Float On Boat Rentals operates out of both Lake Austin and Lake Travis, offering everything from self-driven pontoons, to wakesurf boats, to double decker party boats with water slides. Dedicated to delivering smooth experiences for beginners and seasoned boaters alike, Float On promises not to disappoint.
Austin Paddleboard and Kayak
Open 9AM - 7:30PM Wed, Sat, 10AM Thu, Fri, Sun, 12PM Mon, Closed Tue | $20 - $30
Sitting tucked in the no-wake zone of the Hurst Creek Arm, Austin Paddleboard and Kayak provides single, double, and pedal-operated kayaks on top of their paddleboards. Whether in the safety of the no-wake zone or venturing out into the open water, APK delivers an unmatched assurance of quality.
If you’re situated slightly northwest of Austin or simply feel like an adventure into the heart of the Texas Hill Country, look no further than Lake Marble Falls. Host to its own unique panel of waterfront activities, it has all the makings for a fun weekend vacation.
Splash Boat Rentals
Open 9AM - 6PM Daily | $65 - $850
Offering services at Lake LBJ, Ins Lake and Lake Buchanan as well as Lake Marble Falls, Splash Boat Rentals provides whole rentals in 4 - 8 hour periods, with additional options for multi-day rentals. Their fleet includes jet skis, ski boats, pontoons, and kayaks, maximizing your choices for how to spend your trip.
Black Rock Park
Open Sunrise to Sunset Daily | $49 - $109
Kayaking is one of the many activities available to visitors of Black Rock Park, a cozy campsite nestled along the shores of Lake Buchanan. After all, what’s a camping trip without some fun in and on the water? Kayaks are available for 4 hour minimum usage, but rental periods can extend as long as 24 hours.
Tucked away in Comal County, Canyon Lake is a bit of a hidden gem in the Hill Country. Sitting halfway between Austin and San Antonio, it’s known as the “Water Recreation Capital of Texas.” Whether you’re an energetic boat-goer or just want to relax and take in the views, Canyon Lake’s crystal blue water is welcome to all.
Paddle Board Texas
Open 10AM-6PM Thu-Mon (Closed Mon & Tue) | $25 - $35
Operating out of Comal Park, Paddle Board Texas offers both single and double kayaks as well as stand-up paddle board rentals as an add-on to the park’s general amenities. If a morning paddle followed by a game of disc golf or evening grill and picnic sounds like fun, then this may be an excellent option for your next outing.
Canyon Lake Marina
Open 9AM-7PM Daily | $600 - $800
With the option of their specialty tritoons, runabouts, or double-deckers, Canyon Lake Marina and its sister Marina Cranes Mill both operate on the shore of Canyon lake to deliver quality experiences for smaller parties and families. The Canyon Lake slip offers attached fuel docks, dry storage, and dining as well as sailing instruction courses for those who want to expand their boating skills.
Picturing “the perfect weekend getaway” can look wildly different depending on who you ask. At Moreland, we know better than anyone that the one think you can count on is folks having unique tastes. We hope that with this list, the average lake-lover and out-of-towner alike can find the perfect option for a refreshing outing in the Texas heat.
