Best Lake Day Options for Austin Bachelor Parties
Lake Travis is the crown jewel of Austin bachelor parties. Here's everything you need to know about boat rentals, party coves, and making your lake day legendary.
Lake Travis: The Reason Austin Bachelor Parties Hit Different
Look, you can do a bachelor party anywhere. You can drink overpriced bottle service in Vegas or sweat through Broadway honky-tonks in Nashville. But floating on Lake Travis with your boys, cold beers in hand, watching the Texas Hill Country roll by? That's the stuff memories are made of.
A lake day isn't just an activity — it's often the highlight of the entire weekend. Here's everything you need to know to make yours legendary.
Your Lake Day Options
Option 1: Party Boat Rental
This is the move for most bachelor parties. You rent a boat (usually a pontoon or double-decker), load it with coolers, and spend 4-6 hours cruising the lake.
What to expect:
- Capacity: 10-25 people depending on the boat
- Duration: Half-day (4 hours) or full-day (6-8 hours)
- Cost: $500-2,000 depending on boat size and day of week
- Most rentals include: Captain, fuel, basic safety gear
- You bring: Coolers, drinks, food, sunscreen, speakers
Pro tip: Saturday boats book out weeks in advance during summer. Friday or Sunday? Way easier and usually cheaper.
Option 2: Party Cove Shuttle
If you don't want to deal with renting your own boat, several companies run shuttles to Devil's Cove (the main party spot on Lake Travis). You hop on, they take you out, you party with hundreds of other boats, they bring you back.
Pros:
- Cheaper per person ($50-100)
- No planning required
- Easy to meet other groups
Cons:
- Less private
- On their schedule
- Can get rowdy (might be a pro, honestly)
Option 3: Lakeside Hangout
Not everyone needs to be on a boat. Several spots around Lake Travis let you hang lakeside with food, drinks, and swimming.
Solid options:
- Volente Beach — Water park vibes, beach area, bars
- Hippie Hollow — Clothing optional. Yes, seriously. Bold choice for a bachelor party but no judgment.
- Various marinas — Many have restaurants and bars right on the water
Devil's Cove: The Party Epicenter
If you're doing a lake day on a weekend between May and September, you'll probably end up at Devil's Cove. It's basically a floating party — hundreds of boats raft together, music blasting, people jumping between boats.
Is it chaotic? Yes. Is it one of those experiences you have to do at least once? Also yes.
Devil's Cove tips:
- Get there before noon or you'll be on the edges
- Bring extra ice — it's HOT
- Anchor properly or you'll drift into someone's boat (awkward)
- What happens at Devil's Cove stays at Devil's Cove
What to Bring
Lake day success is 90% preparation. Here's your checklist:
Essential:
- Coolers with ice (way more ice than you think)
- Drinks and water (hydrate or die, seriously)
- Sunscreen (Texas sun is brutal)
- Bluetooth speaker
- Towels
- Cash for tips and dock fees
Nice to have:
- Floating cooler
- Pool noodles
- Waterproof phone case
- GoPro or waterproof camera
- Hangover snacks
Leave at home:
- Glass bottles (banned on most boats and at coves)
- Your dignity (just kidding) (kind of)
When to Go
Best months: May through September. Water's warm, weather's reliable.
Best days: Saturday is peak chaos. Friday or Sunday if you want a mellower vibe.
Time of day: Start around 10-11 AM. You'll want to be off the water by 5-6 PM when afternoon storms can roll in (and you'll need recovery time before dinner).
How to Book
You've got options:
- Direct with marinas: Call around to Lake Travis marinas for boat rentals. VIP Marinas, Just For Fun, and Lakeway Marina are popular.
- Apps and aggregators: GetMyBoat and similar apps let you compare options and book online.
- Through us: We partner with several boat rental companies and can usually get you sorted faster (and sometimes cheaper) than going direct. Just saying.
Quick FAQs
Can we bring our own alcohol?
Yes. Most boat rentals are BYOB. Just no glass.
Do we need a captain?
Depends on the boat and your group. Many larger party boats require a captain. Smaller boats you can drive yourself with a valid ID. Honestly? Get the captain. You're there to party, not drive.
What if someone can't swim?
Life jackets are required on all boats. But also maybe stay on the boat if you're not comfortable in the water.
Is Lake Travis safe?
Generally yes, but it's a real lake with real depth. Don't be stupid. Drownings happen every year, usually involving alcohol and overconfidence. Use the buddy system.
The Bottom Line
Lake Travis is the reason Austin bachelor parties stand out. It's not just another bar crawl in another city — it's a legitimately unique experience you can't replicate in Vegas or Nashville.
Book early, pack smart, and prepare for one of the best days of your trip.
Ready to plan the rest of your Austin bachelor party? Start here or hit us up directly.
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