We use cookies to improve your browsing experience.
And dolphins make us happy. Find out more about our cookies policy here.
Lake Travis is the place to be during the summer months in Austin, and on a boat rental is the ideal way to experience this massive lake. It’s a haven for water recreation, boating, water sports, and swimming. There are endless options for boat rentals and charters on Lake Travis, so be sure to do some research to pick the best one. You can choose from a day boat rental, a week rental, and even boats that you can rent to sleep on board overnight. Visiting Austin for a bachelorette party? A boat day on Lake Travis is a great option. Read our bachelorette boat party guide for Lake Travis!
For large groups visiting Lake Travis, a pontoon rental or houseboat rental is perfect. You’ll have plenty of deck space to sit and relax, enjoy a picnic onboard, and cruise in the sunshine. Some houseboat rentals on Lake Travis even come equipped with a waterslide for maximum fun!
Teenagers and young adults visiting Lake Travis may want to take advantage of the watersports culture that is prevalent on the lake. Rent a wake boat with equipment for tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and other fun water sports to enjoy on Lake Travis. Bowrider boats, deck boats, and other types of motor yachts are great to rent if you want to enjoy water sports in addition to cruising around. You can even try flyboarding on Lake Travis - an unforgettable experience that will have you literally flying over the waves.
If you want to rent a boat on Lake Travis but are lacking boating experience - do not worry! There are plenty of powerboats of all different styles available to rent with a captain to drive the boat. You can sit back and relax on deck, soaking up the sun while your captain navigates around Lake Travis
Don’t want to rent a motorized boat? Rent a sailboat on Lake Travis instead! Sailing on Lake Travis is a relaxing and wonderful way to explore and experience the reservoir. If you don’t have sailing experience, you can book a charter with a Lake Travis skipper to take you around.
When arranging your boat rental on Lake Travis, there are some key details you should inquire about with the owner or marina. Ask about the final price and if fuel is included in the cost of the rental, or if you’re expected to top up the tank before you return it. Make sure the boat you’re renting on Lake Travis can accommodate your group size, and ask about any regulations or rules you should know about. Even if you have boating experience, you can ask the owner to show you how to operate the watercraft with a brief demo.
If you’re booking a captained charter on Lake Travis, make sure you determine if gratuity is included in the cost of your rental, and see if special extras like an iced-down cooler, waters, drinks, or anything else will come with the cost of the boat. Make sure you communicate expectations and ask if the captain can take you to any special spots within Lake Travis if you’re looking for that. You can arrange details for a special event like a bachelor or bachelorette party, family gathering, or other celebration with a captain to help you make it unforgettable. There are lots of party barges available to rent on Lake Travis for these types of occasions.
Lake Travis is a huge, expansive lake with many entry points and small cities scattered around the perimeter. Choosing your entry point to the lake with your boat rental will depend on where you’re staying and coming from, so be sure to check out a map.
With crystal clear waters, Lake Travis is a favorite swimming spot, and you’ll definitely want to jump overboard during your boat cruise to cool off. Make sure your boat rental includes a swim ladder so you can easily get back on board.
If you want to dock your boat rental and go ashore during your vacation on Lake Travis, there is endless waterfront entertainment to enjoy. Shopping, restaurants, bars, live music venues, and more places to see and experience are easy to find. You can also stay at lakefront resorts and hotels overnight if you’re staying on Lake Travis for multiple days.
If you’re visiting Lake Travis but don’t have a lot of time, consider booking a brief boat tour or a sunset cruise. You’ll still get a taste of the fun of renting a boat on the lake, while not committing to a huge day out boating on the lake. Sunset cruises on Lake Travis are an excellent option when it’s extremely hot out during the day time and you’d prefer to go boating once it’s started to cool down for the day.
As a destination for boating and water recreation, it doesn’t get much better than Lake Travis. About a 30-minute drive from Austin, it’s a freshwater haven in the middle of Texas with clean, clear water and tons of availability for boat rentals and water experiences. There are lots of towns around the lake with stores for you to stock up on provisions for your boat rental. Head to SLR Grocery & Center in Lago Vista or Randall’s at Quinlan Crossing to get all the essentials like drinks and snacks. There are also restaurants right on the water to stop at for a meal.
The weather in the spring, summer, and early autumn months on Lake Travis is perfect for boating. With hot temperatures and lots of sunshine, you’ll want to remember to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, and expect to jump overboard at least once for a swim. Check the weather before you head out on the water, as it can change frequently in this region of Texas.
Staying on Lake Travis for multiple days? There are lots of accommodation options located around the lake. From fancy resorts to budget hotels and motels. Some have dock slips you can book to park your boat rental if you’re renting it for several days.
There are over 20 marinas located on Lake Travis that can provide you with anything you need for your boat rental. From slips to fueling stations, a few of the top marinas to stop at for your boating needs include VIP Marina Lake Travis, Emerald Point Marina, Hurst Harbor and Platinum Marine.
Experiencing the lake life of Lake Travis has never been easier thanks to GetMyBoat. GetMyBoat allows you to quickly search, compare prices, submit rental inquiries, and pay for your rental or charter from the convenience of your phone or computer. We offer a secure platform for renters to facilitate a seamless rental transaction. For boat owners, we connect millions of renters to their boat and provide the security and safe checks on each rental transaction.
Search for the perfect experience now and book your dream day out on the water.
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.
Lan and Heather were awesome teachers. We were a group of four who had never wake surfed or wake boarded. All of us were up on our feet on our first runs. I would definitely recommend Lan to anyone trying to have a boat day while visiting Austin.
AMAZING! We did this boating outing as part of my bachelorette weekend and Kat was the absolute best! She definitely made it clear our safety was her top priority. We did not feel unsafe with her at all. She also gave us options on how social we wanted to be with other boats. We truly appreciated this. This boat came with a lilypad, great speaker for music, a cooler, and did I mention an amazing captain?! Would 100% recommend WakeThrills to anyone wanting to have a good time on Lake Travis.
Andrew and Bre were amazing. Went for a bachelorette party and it was an extremely smooth and fun experience. 100/10 would recommend booking with them!
Clint was very helpful to update some changes to the trip due to the lake conditions. The boat was clean, well kept. We had a great experience. Will definitely book Clint for future trips.
A great afternoon on the lake! Andrew accommodated our family with elderly and pregnant passengers and was flexible when we hit traffic. Very kind and professional!
Captain Stacey was amazing!! We had so much fun for a birthday weekend in Austin, definitely will be coming back and asking for Stacey in particular. We’ve never been to devils cove but he showed us why it’s such a popular destination. Captain Stacey was superstar and we can’t wait to be back!!
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
84 °FWater temp.
83 °FHumidity
58 %Pressure
1010 hPaWind
SE 15.78 f/secVisibility
15 miCloudiness
99 %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 171 listings for boating experiences in Lake Travis with 2,656 reviews.
Search Lake Travis