We use cookies to improve your browsing experience.
And dolphins make us happy. Find out more about our cookies policy here.
Yes, you can rent a boat on Lake Travis. Lake Travis is a great boat rental destination, particularly for pontoons, powerboats, and boats for water sports.
Renting a boat on Lake Travis starts at $65 an hour for a small ski boat and goes up to $450 an hour for a luxury motor yacht.
No, Lake Austin is different from Lake Travis. Lake Travis is a much larger lake that measures roughly 60 miles, with many coves and great places to anchor and relax. While Lake Austin is a constant-level lake or more of a river that is fed from the flow of Lake Travis.
No, you do not need a license to rent a boat on Lake Travis. With GetMyBoat, you can rent a boat that includes a licensed captain so that you can enjoy your time on the lake with no worries. If you want to drive the boat yourself, then you may need to take a Boater Education course, depending on your age.
The water temperature of Lake Travis varies but is usually between 40-55 F in the winter months (Nov-March) and 70-85 F in the summer months (April-October).
Devils Cove is the best place for boat parties. Pace Bend Park is great for stopping for a swim, as there are miles of shoreline to explore and even cliffs to enjoy cliff jumping.
Boating season on Lake Travis starts mid-March, depending on the weather, and can run all the way through October.
Boats listed on GetMyBoat on Lake Travis offer boat rentals with or without a captain. You can always communicate with the boat owner through GetMyBoat before confirming your booking to ensure your captain and crew needs are met.
Jeramy is lovely! His boat was immaculate & communication was easy. I’ll definitely rent with him again. Such a great day!
Jeramy was kind, professional, and super helpful during the booking process. Will definitely travel on one of his boats again!
my family had an awesome time with Anthony on his boat. highly recommend.
The captain of the boat took great care of my group and me. Camille constantly communicated with me and was always quick to communicate when we had questions. Great group and we will definitely be booking through them in the future!
I really had a good time in the cole’s boat, he was very kind, respectful and friendly to everyone, one of my friends had a small wound and cole had the best disposition to help and was properly equipped to do it, the cole’s boat was one of the best choices to celebrate my birthday, I really recommend it
Jessica and Christian were excellent captains and hosts. The boat is brand new and beautiful, and they accommodated our crew of 6 kids and 2 adults. Friendly and kind, they patiently taught us how to wake surf and showed us a great time on the lake. Highly recommend Jessica and Christian!
A sprawling reservoir of the Colorado River just west of Austin, Texas, Lake Travis was formed in the 1940s with the construction of the Mansfield Dam.
It quickly became a vital water source for the city of Austin — and now, it has become the go-to spot for boat parties (especially for the city’s many, many bachelor parties and bachelorette parties), as well as weekend water sports, fishing, and general relaxing. No wonder it’s one of the most well-regarded and popular water destinations in all of Texas.
It’s no secret that Austin, Texas has experienced a growth explosion over the past decade, and with it has come an explosion of interest in experiencing Lake Travis, especially during the summer months. Luckily, the lake offers 30 square miles of opportunities for boating, water sports, fishing, and more. It’s a top destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties, and with the high temperatures experienced in Texas during the summer months, it’s an essential place to visit to beat the heat.
The average rental duration for GetMyBoat bookings on Lake Travis — perfect for a long and leisurely party.
May to September rentals account for 87% of all GetMyBoat trips in Austin, though the weather allows for year-round boating.
Like most places, summer is definitely the peak season — especially so in Austin since cruising through the waters and jumping in for a swim is one of the best ways to beat the oppressive summer heat, where temperatures are routinely in the triple digits.
But luckily, you can enjoy boating on Lake Travis year-round. The spring and fall are still plenty warm and full of sunshine for extended days out on the water, and while Austin’s winter weather has a bit of chill in the mornings and evenings, there’s still enough sun and warmth to get out onto a boat during the daytime if you’re dedicated.
Our personal preference is the springtime, from April to June, which is when you’ll have bright sun and warm weather, but before the intense heat of the Texas summer sets in.
Lake Travis tends to be quite warm, ranging in the high 70ºs up to 80º or so at the peak of late summer. In the springtime, it’s in the lower 70ºs, with a more refreshing feel. And then there’s a sharp drop-off in the wintertime, when the water temperature will get down to 60º or even lower.
Temperature
67 °FWater temp.
72 °FHumidity
39 %Pressure
1013 hPaWind
SE 10.30 f/secVisibility
15 miCloudiness
19 %Lake Travis offers a variety of different boat styles to rent, making it easy to find the ideal vessel for a day on the water. Pontoons, powerboats, wake boats for water sports, and even houseboats for overnight adventures on the water are available.
Lake Travis and the surrounding Austin shores have so much to offer — where to even begin planning your itinerary when you’re in town? Here’s a start. We’ve pulled some of our favorite local spots for every aspect of an Austin trip, like boat-up restaurants to experience the “dock & dine” lifestyle. And that’s to say nothing of all the amazing boating destinations, spread all throughout the surrounding area.
A note: if you’re renting a boat through GetMyBoat, please contact the boat owner before utilizing any of the following services. They may have a preferred provider or the services may be covered through insurance or within your rental agreement.
23415-1 Pedernales Canyon Trail Spicewood, TX 78669 (512) 328-4869
16107 Farm to Market Road 2769 Leander, TX 78641 (512) 299-2424
2110 Ranch Rd 620 S #342634, Lakeway, TX 78734 (512) 626-3755
15801 FM2769, Leander, TX 78641 (512) 335-5421
5521 Hiline Rd, Austin, TX 78734 (512) 790-2628
16120 Wharf Cove, Volente, TX 78641 (512) 258-9662
6612 Lantern View Dr, Jonestown, TX 78645 (512) 267-6222
15601 Checotah Dr, Austin, TX 78734 (512) 264-3775
205 Westwater Ct, Leander, TX 78645 (325) 718-2170
6410 Hudson Bend Rd, Austin, TX 78734 (512) 266-3290
Renting a boat on Lake Travis starts at $65 an hour for a small ski boat and goes up to $450 an hour for a luxury motor yacht.
No, Lake Austin is not the same as Lake Travis. Lake Travis is a much larger lake that measures roughly 60 miles with lots of coves and great places to anchor and relax. While Lake Austin is a constant level lake or more of a river that is fed from the flow of Lake Travis.
The water temperature of Lake Travis varies but is usually between 40-55° F in the winter months (Nov-March) and 70-85° F in the summer months (April-October).
Devils Cove is the best place for boat parties. Pace Bend Park is great for stopping for a swim, as there are miles of shoreline to explore and even cliffs to enjoy cliff jumping.
Boating season on Lake Travis starts mid-March depending on the weather and can run all the way through October.
Boats listed on GetMyBoat on Lake Travis offer boat rentals with or without a captain. You can always communicate with the boat owner through GetMyBoat before confirming your booking to ensure your captain and crew needs are met.
Boat rental prices in Austin vary significantly. You can find boat rentals in Austin starting at $50 per hour. Luxury yacht charters can cost up to several thousand for a day of cruising with captain and crew.
Many boat rentals and charters include the use of floating toys like lily pads, inflatable unicorns, and other items that are perfect for a swimming stop to relax in the water. If you’re hoping to have a float day in addition to your boat day, check the boat listing’s description and ask the boat captain or owner if they have floating toys that are included before confirming your booking.
Boat rentals are typically offered with or without a captain. You can always communicate with the boat owner before confirming your booking to ensure your captain and crew needs are met.
Most boats will have a sound system with either an AUX or Bluetooth connection which will allow you to play your own music. It is always best to check with the captain on the specifics prior to booking, but plan on creating the perfect boat-day playlist to bring on board.
To rent a boat in Austin you must be 18 years of age and have completed a boater safety education course. If you have a boating license from another state, this can apply to the requirements to rent a boat in Austin.
Boat license rules in Texas and Austin depend on your age. If you were born after 1988 you will need to complete a boat safety education course and receive a safety identification card. Check out Boat-Ed for more information on earning a boat safety card so you can rent a boat in Texas.
A Boater Education Card will cost anywhere from $0-$50 depending on the type of test you take and if you want your ID card professionally printed.
A Boating Safety Education Identification Card has no expiration date, however, the temporary safety course certificate (proof of online course completion that you can print out and use before the ID card comes) expires after 90 days.
GetMyBoat has 226 listings for boating experiences in Lake Travis with 2,607 reviews.
Search Lake Travis