Austin Lake Travis Barge Crawl Bar Hopping Tour by Boat

For those seeking a unique nightlife experience on the waters of Lake Travis, the Austin Lake Travis Barge Crawl Bar Hopping Tour offers an enticing option. Guests can enjoy a scenic two-and-a-half-hour cruise aboard a comfortable pontoon boat, stopping at popular venues like Beachside Billy’s and Shack 512 along the way. With mixed reviews highlighting the friendly staff and beautiful views, this tour combines socializing, sightseeing, and relaxation in a picturesque setting. Whether you’re a local or visiting the area, this tour promises an unforgettable evening on the lake.

This experience made our list of the 13 Best Drinking Tours In Austin.

Key Points

• The Barge Crawl Tour on Lake Travis offers a nighttime bar-hopping experience via pontoon boat, with stops at popular venues Beachside Billy’s and Shack 512.
• The tour provides scenic lakeside views and a comfortable cruise, with an experienced captain ensuring a safe ride.
• Amenities include a cooler for personal drinks and necessary safety equipment, though accessibility may be limited.
• The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours and accommodates groups up to 10 people, with pricing starting at SEK 1,092.17 per person.
• Guest reviews highlight the scenic nature and friendly staff, but also mention accessibility challenges and concerns about the tour’s value for the price.

Overview of the Experience

The Barge Crawl Tour on Lake Travis offers travelers an exhilarating nighttime bar-hopping experience by pontoon boat. This two-and-a-half-hour tour allows groups of up to 10 people to visit two popular venues, Beachside Billy’s and Shack 512, while taking in the scenic views of the lake.

The tour includes an experienced captain and safety equipment, as well as a cooler for personal drinks. Reviewers have provided mixed feedback, highlighting the scenic nature of the ride and the friendly staff, but also mentioning accessibility challenges and inconsistent service from the captains.

Exploring Lake Travis by Pontoon

Embarking on the Barge Crawl Tour offers travelers a chance to explore the serene waters of Lake Travis by pontoon boat.

The journey begins at the Mansfield Dam Boat Ramp, where guests board the comfortable pontoon and set sail. Throughout the leisurely cruise, passengers can admire the scenic lakeside views and enjoy the peaceful ambiance.

The boat’s experienced captain skillfully navigates the waters, ensuring a safe and smooth ride. Along the way, the tour stops at two popular bars, Beachside Billy’s and Shack 512, allowing guests to experience the lively nightlife scene on the lake.

The Barge Crawl Tour provides a unique opportunity to combine sightseeing and socializing on the tranquil waters of Lake Travis.

Visits to Beachside Billy’s and Shack 512

As participants embark on the Barge Crawl Tour, they make their way to the first stop, Beachside Billy’s. This lakeside bar offers a lively atmosphere, with opportunities to enjoy live music and water sports. After exploring Beachside Billy’s, the group then heads to their second destination, Shack 512. This casual eatery provides a variety of food and beverage options, allowing guests to refuel before continuing their barge adventure.

Beachside Billy’s	Shack 512
Lakeside bar	Casual eatery
Live music	Food and beverage options
Water sports	Refueling stop
Lively atmosphere	Part of barge tour

Amenities and Safety Features

The tour provides several key amenities and safety features for participants. A cooler is available to keep personal drinks chilled. An experienced captain navigates the boat, ensuring a safe journey. Necessary safety equipment, such as life jackets, is provided.

These amenities and safety precautions aim to enhance the overall experience and give travelers peace of mind during the nighttime bar crawl on the lake.

While the tour offers these basic provisions, it’s crucial for guests to consider their own physical, sun exposure, and budgetary concerns before booking to ensure the experience aligns with their expectations.

Meeting Point and Tour Duration

The tour begins at the Mansfield Dam Boat Ramp in Austin, TX 78734, where guests meet at 5:30 PM.

The pontoon boat tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours, taking guests on a nighttime bar crawl along Lake Travis.

The experience includes visits to two venues – Beachside Billy’s and Shack 512.

At the end of the tour, the boat returns to the original meeting point.

The tour accommodates a maximum of 10 travelers, providing an intimate and personalized experience on the water.

Pricing and Booking Details

The Barge Crawl Tour on Lake Travis is priced from SEK 1,092.17 per person.

Reservations can be made online, and travelers have the flexibility to pay later. Cancellations up to 24 hours before the experience start time are free of charge.

With a maximum group size of 10 travelers, the tour offers an intimate and personalized nighttime bar crawl experience by pontoon boat along the scenic Lake Travis.

Guests can expect to visit two local venues – Beachside Billy’s and Shack 512 – during the approximately 2.5-hour excursion, which departs from the Mansfield Dam Boat Ramp at 5:30 PM.

Guest Experiences and Feedback

Based on the mixed reviews, guests’ experiences with the Barge Crawl Tour on Lake Travis appear to be somewhat divided. While some highlight the scenic views, enjoyable ride, and friendly staff, others note issues like difficult boat access, long walks at stops, inconsistent service from captains, and a perceived lack of luxury for the price. The table below provides a more detailed overview of the positive and negative feedback:

Positive	Negative
Scenic views	Difficult boat access
Enjoyable ride	Long walks at stops
Friendly staff	Inconsistent service from captains
	Lack of luxury for the price

Important Considerations Before Booking

When considering the Barge Crawl Tour on Lake Travis, there are a few important factors to keep in mind.

Accessibility is limited, as the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible. Visitors should also be prepared for physical exertion, as the tour involves walking long distances at the stops.

Sun exposure is another consideration, so bringing sunscreen is recommended.

Finally, the price point may be a concern for some, as the tour isn’t considered a luxury experience by all guests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alcohol Allowed on the Boat?

Yes, the tour allows passengers to bring their own alcoholic beverages on the boat. The experience provides a cooler for storing personal drinks during the nighttime bar crawl along Lake Travis.

Can We Bring Our Own Food and Drinks?

You can bring your own food and drinks on the tour. The cooler provided allows passengers to store their personal beverages. However, consuming alcohol not purchased from the boat’s licensed bar may not be permitted.

Is There a Designated Area for Smoking?

No, there is no designated smoking area on the boat. The tour operator does not allow smoking during the pontoon boat ride in order to maintain a comfortable and safe environment for all passengers.

What if We Miss the Return to the Meeting Point?

If guests miss the return to the meeting point, they’ll need to make their own arrangements to get back. The tour company likely won’t be able to accommodate late arrivals, so it’s crucial to return on time.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participants?

The tour doesn’t specify any age restrictions for participants. As long as travelers are comfortable with the activities and follow safety guidelines, they’re welcome to join the experience regardless of age.

Recap

The Austin Lake Travis Barge Crawl Bar Hopping Tour offers a unique and scenic way to explore the waters of Lake Travis. Guests can enjoy socializing, sightseeing, and relaxation while visiting popular venues on a comfortable pontoon boat. With mixed reviews highlighting friendly staff and beautiful views, this tour provides a memorable experience for those seeking a distinctive nightlife adventure on the lake.