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Float the day away: Quirky boat rentals in Austin

Here’s your guide to unique experiences on Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake.

A boat with a bar and barstools floats on Lake Austin on a sunny day.

This floating bar is around 25 feet long and can seat up to 10 passengers.

Photo by Floaties Floatin’ Saloon

Summertime is synonymous with boat season, and in Austin, there are plenty of unique ways to spend a day on the water.

Next time you’re planning a picnic, date night, or party with friends, consider making the lake your venue with these four local businesses.

A floating saloon

A bar and boat hybrid, Floaties Floatin’ Saloon is a 25 ft watercraft and watering hole on Lake Austin. It’s equipped with a bar top and seating for 10 passengers — all you have to do is bring the booze.

Customers can book a weekend ride for four hours or a sunset float for two hours.

Two girls wearing sunglasses smile on a swan boat on Lady Bird Lake with the Austin skyline behind them.

Explore Lady Bird Lake on the water from the wings of a swan.

Photo by Katherine Vaiden

A buoyant bird

Groups of two or four people can explore Lady Bird Lake from a birds eye view — in a swan-shaped boat, that is. Pedalers can bring coolers of picnic foods and drinks for their excursion with Capital Cruises.

Pro tip: The wind makes all the difference when you’re sailing these swans, so choose a day with a soft breeze.

Two women wearing dresses and sunglasses sit and laugh in a blue retro car boat on Lady Bird Lake.

Retro Boat Rentals ATX has a range of colorful car boats, including this blue ride named Dorothy.

Photo courtesy Retro Boat Rentals ATX

A retro ride

Perfect for impressing a first date, a sunset cruise, or even a proposal, Retro Boat Rentals ATX offers a fleet of fiberglass boats that resemble nostalgic vehicles.

Before setting off on your cruise around Lady Bird Lake, all you have to worry about is choosing your color. Will it be red, orange, yellow, pink, or blue?

A group of people sit inside a donut boat on Lake Austin with celebration signs and a picnic on the round table inside the boat.

Forget a picnic in the park — bring your sandwiches and snacks for an aquatic dining experience.

Photo courtesy Love and Boat

A donut party

Love and Boats thoughtfully prepares parties on its pastry-shaped vessels, stocking them with tableware, games, an ice bucket, water, glasses, a speaker, and more.

The team collaborates with other local businesses to create a tablescape and experience fit for specific celebrations on Lake Austin with up to six guests.

Know something we don’t? Tell us your favorite aquatic adventure in Austin.

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