2000+ 5-Star Reviews on

Your Top Choice for Boat Rentals at Lake Austin & Lake Travis

Stop stressing over reservations. We offer the newest, best-maintained pontoons and wake boats in Central Texas. Whether you need a quick boat rental or a full-day party barge, we make your time on the Lake effortless.

Excellent 5.0 | 2086 reviews

The #1 Boat Rental Service on Lake Austin & Lake Travis

26,000+ Happy Guests Since Launch

Highest-Rated Captains in Austin

boat rental available on lake austin & lake travis

Choose your perfect expereince

Pontoons

Party Barges

Wake Boats

Yachts

Top Boats

EXPERIENCE THE BEST PARTY BOATS IN AUSTIN

JC 306 FLAGSHIP TRITOON – Black

Tahoe

25ft Avalon Funship W/ Slide

28ft Avalon Windjammer w/Slide

28ft Premier Boundary

26ft Premier Sunsation

30ft Premier Sunsation

26ft Godfrey Sweetwater

38ft Monterey “Encima”

35ft – Party Barge “LaBarge”

SolidCraft

34ft Lakewind

SolidCraft II

28ft Black Windjammer

32ft Premier Tan

32ft Premier White

Sunset cruises, fireworks, and more

Epic Lake Experiences For Big Tex Groups

Alcohol & Party Supplies Delivered to Your Boat!

Upgrade your Lake Austin or Lake Travis cruise with drinks and party essentials delivered straight to your boat at the Loop 360 bridge. Order at least 72 hours in advance and we’ll have everything chilled, prepped, and ready to go, ice included. Discount Code: BigTexBoatRentals Get $25 off your delivery fee. Order now and let the good times roll!

Restaurant & bar

Cruise up and enjoy exclusive perks at Austin’s top lakeside restaurants. Eat, drink, and vibe with your crew Big Tex gets you closer to the fun.

sunset cruise

End your lake day with a golden-hour cruise your group will never forget. Perfect for photos, celebrations, or just soaking in the Austin skyline.

Fireworks Tour

When Austin’s sky turns into a colorful celebration, your boat becomes the perfect viewing lounge. Our licensed captains position your group at just the right distance so you can focus on the music, photos, and the moment.

Public Surf Sessions

Enjoy a shared wakesurf experience on Lake Austin or Lake Travis. Perfect for individuals or small groups, these social sessions let you ride behind a premium surf boat without booking a private charter. Our expert captains create smooth, consistent waves for all skill levels.

Private Surf Sessions

Enjoy a fully customized wakesurf experience for your group with uninterrupted time on the water. Control the pace, music, and rotation while our expert captains deliver the perfect wave on Lake Austin or Lake Travis.

Lake Tours

Austin lake life is bigger than any map. These tours are crafted around your group’s vibe party energy, family relaxation, or quiet sightseeing. Captains guide you through hidden coves, clear swimming areas, scenic shoreline views, and optional restaurant or picnic stops.

Lake Days for Every Occasion

Pick Your Perfect Day on the Water

Bachelorette guide

Plan the ultimate Austin bachelorette with top lake experiences, party spots, and VIP add-ons for an unforgettable weekend.

devils cove guide

Your go-to guide for Austin’s most iconic party cove best spots, insider tips, and everything you need for the perfect lake day.

CORPORATE OUTINGS

Enjoy a stress-free corporate outing on the water with scenic views, premium boats, and customizable experiences your team will love.

Party guide

Turn any occasion into an epic lake party with BigTex top boats, party tips, and the best ways to celebrate on the water.

Real lake moments, real party crews

Where Lake Days Come Alive

Austin Trusts Big Tex

TRUSTED PARTNERS

Happy Customers

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

Commonly Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What comes with the boat rental?

Each boat comes with an experienced captain, gas, a premium Bluetooth sound system, a large floating mat, floaties, safety devices, a large cooler filled with ice, and more!

Where is the pick up location?

We are a commercially insured charter business with limited pick-up locations due to lake regulations. Lake Travis pick-ups are at Mansfield Dam Park or Paradise Cove Marina (fees apply), and Lake Austin pick-ups are at the Loop 360 Boat Ramp ($5 cash per person).

If you have a private dock or are staying on the lake, a pick-up may be arranged with prior notice.

Why is there a 6% charge for online bookings?

When booking online, a 6% processing fee is applied to cover additional platform and transaction costs. To avoid this charge, you can save by booking directly with us over the phone. Call us at (512) 680-9102 to make your reservation.

How much should I tip my captain?

A 20% gratuity (or captain fee) is required and must be paid directly to the captain by the end of your boat charter. Payment options include cash, Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp. If you did not prepay the gratuity during your reservation, please ensure it is settled at the end of the charter.

Do you need a boating license? Can I drive the boat? Are the boat captains experienced?

No you can not drive the boat. For your safety and for insurance purposes, only Big Tex captains are allowed to drive and operate the vessel. All of Big Tex’s captains have their Texas boating license, Party Boat licenses, are trained, and have many hours of experience. Each of the captains are very familiar with the lakes and the boats they are captaining.

How far in advance should I place my order for drinks and party essentials to be delivered to my boat?

To ensure timely delivery and that everything is chilled and ready for your Lake Austin or Lake Travis cruise, please place your order at least 72 hours in advance.

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Is there a discount available for the delivery service fee?

Yes, you can enjoy $25 off your delivery fee when you use the discount code ” BigTexBoatRentals”.

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Do you allow pets on the boat?

Yes, you can bring your well behaved furry friend with you. Just contact us before the trip so we can accommodate your dog or service animal. Make sure it has a life jacket as well.

Can I bring some festive decorations for my boat trip?

Absolutely! We want your time on the water to be as celebratory as possible. Balloons and other decorations are allowed, so feel free to decorate the boat for your lake day.

Please note: while decorations are welcome, glitter is not permitted, as it is difficult to clean and can damage the boats. We appreciate your help in keeping our fleet in great condition.

What should I bring on the boat?

Ice, towels, sunscreen, cups, sunglasses, food, drinks (expect to share), $5 cash per person, and please bring water to stay hydrated.

What should I "NOT" bring on the boat?

Please refrain from bringing any glass, Styrofoam, glitter, messy food, or bad attitudes! Everyone on the lake is here to have a good time and enjoy themselves.

What's the best transportation method?

Plan ahead and book a rideshare for your group! Big Tex partners with top services like Fetii, Let’s Roll, Keys Shuttle Service, and Austin Vibes Party Bus for seamless transportation. Use our Fetii promo code “BIGTEX25” for 25% off your next ride, whether heading to the lake or around Austin!

Explore Different Options

Can we bring alcoholic drinks?

Yes, absolutely bring your own drinks. Just please refrain from bringing red wine as it can stain the seats and carpet if spilt. Glass beer bottles are not allowed on the Lake, please try to bring cans and plastic if possible.

Where can I park my car for my Lake Travis adventure?

We’ve got two pick-up locations to make your trip a breeze! Our main spot is at Paradise Cove Marina (17141 Rocky Ridge rd., Austin, TX 78734). They have plenty of parking and charge a fee of $5 per person to enter the marina, plus $20 per vehicle for parking (your awesome crew included!).
Our other option is Mansfield Dam. This is a cash-only location with a $5 per person entrance fee to the park itself. Keep in mind that we only have one boat picking up from Mansfield Dam at this time, so be sure to confirm your pick-up spot when you book your unforgettable Big Tex experience!

Do I need to bring a cooler?

No, we provide a large yeti cooler filled with ice for your drinks free of charge.

Do we need to pay for gas?

Gas is included in the hourly rate. If we are bringing the boat to a different lake other than Lake Austin or Lake Travis there will be a small fee.

What is the cancellation policy?

If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can contact us before 7 days of your scheduled trip to receive a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the scheduled trip will result in a 50% charge upon the agreed total. Cancellations within 48 hours of your scheduled trip are not permitted and will result in 100% charge of the agreed upon total.

What if it rains?

The weather forecast will be carefully watched by our team. We do not cancel our trips based on weather forecasts. Trip cancellation is determined on the day of your rental reservation and only in unsafe or severe weather conditions. In the event we must cancel the boat reservation, you will receive a 100% refund or allowed to reschedule.

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