June is when Austin officially turns into a water city.

The temperatures are climbing, the sun stays out late, and suddenly every weekend seems to involve somebody saying, “We’re getting on the lake.”

And Austin has two completely different ways to do it.

You can keep it casual and affordable with a kayak or paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake, where you can join the unofficial summer paddle-party scene and enjoy the downtown skyline.

Or you can go all out and rent a private party boat on Lake Austin, bring your friends, load up the cooler, connect your phone to the Bluetooth, find a swimming cove and spend several hours pretending you don’t have to go back to work Monday.

Both are great.

But they’re very different experiences.

Here’s how to do Austin’s summer water scene the right way.

FIRST: KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LADY BIRD LAKE AND LAKE AUSTIN

Lady Bird Lake is the downtown lake.

It’s the lake you see from downtown Austin, and it’s perfect for kayaks, paddleboards and smaller human-powered watercraft.

The City of Austin specifically prohibits swimming in Lady Bird Lake and restricts motorized vessels, so this is not the place to bring a traditional motorboat and start a party. (City of Austin)

Lake Austin is where you want to go when you’re thinking:

BIG BOAT.

CAPTAIN.

COOLER.

MUSIC.

FLOATING.

SWIMMING.

FRIENDS.

PARTY COVE.

That’s the boat-party lake.

LADY BIRD LAKE IS THE CHEAPER PARTY

You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to have a great day on the water.

Grab a kayak.

Grab a paddleboard.

Get a group of friends together.

And head out.

One of the easiest ways to do this is through Rowing Dock.

Rowing Dock offers kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and pedal kayaks on Lady Bird Lake, with current kayak rates listed around $20-$25 per hour depending on the kayak. (Rowing Dock)

And here’s the secret:

You don’t need to make this a serious kayaking expedition.

You can make it a party.

THE LADY BIRD LAKE KAYAK PARTY

Get 6.

Get 10.

Get 15 friends.

Rent kayaks.

Meet up.

Launch together.

Paddle toward the more social areas.

Bring a cooler where permitted by the rental company and lake rules.

Play some music at a reasonable volume.

Hang out.

Take pictures.

And enjoy the skyline.

It’s one of the cheapest ways to create a full Austin summer experience.

THE BEST PART OF LADY BIRD LAKE

There are no traditional motorboats racing around you.

That makes it much easier for beginners.

You don’t need to know how to operate a boat.

You don’t need a captain.

And you don’t need to spend a fortune.

You just need to know how to paddle.

WHERE TO RENT YOUR KAYAK

There are several good options around Lady Bird Lake.

Rowing Dock is one of the longtime choices and is conveniently located near Zilker Park.

Texas Rowing Center is another established option on the north side of Lady Bird Lake near Austin High School.

Texas Rowing Center lists single kayaks at $15 per hour and doubles at $20 per hour, with life vests provided. (Texas Rowing Center)

Live Love Paddle Austin Kayak Tours and Rentals is another option, particularly if you want to combine your paddle with one of the company’s guided experiences.

And Austin Kayak Tours offers rentals and guided tours, including sunset and bat-viewing experiences.

THE BEST KAYAK PARTY TIP

Go early.

This is one of the biggest mistakes people make.

They wait until noon on a Saturday in June.

Then everybody has the same idea.

Parking gets harder.

Rental lines get longer.

The sun gets brutal.

And the wind can pick up.

Go earlier.

You’ll have cooler temperatures and generally calmer conditions.

MORNING VS. AFTERNOON

Morning:

Cooler.

Less crowded.

Calmer water.

Better for beginners.

Afternoon:

Hotter.

More people.

More social.

More party atmosphere.

If you’re looking for the party, afternoon is more fun.

If you’re looking for a relaxing paddle, go early.

THE UNOFFICIAL LADY BIRD LAKE PARTY SCENE

During the summer, you’ll occasionally see groups gathering on the water with paddleboards, kayaks, floats and music.

Some groups even organize DJ or meetup-style events on the lake.

The important thing is to remember that these are still public waterways.

Don’t block other paddlers.

Don’t leave trash.

Don’t harass other groups.

And don’t turn your kayak into a floating garbage can.

Austin has enough trash problems without adding 100 empty cans to the lake.

BRING A DRY BAG

This is one of the smartest purchases you can make for a kayak day.

Your phone.

Wallet.

Keys.

Sunscreen.

Everything gets wet.

Get a waterproof dry bag.

You don’t want to discover halfway through your paddle that your $1,000 phone is now a very expensive paperweight.

SUNSCREEN IS NOT OPTIONAL

June in Austin is serious.

Put sunscreen on before you get to the lake.

Then put more on later.

The water reflects sunlight.

You may feel cooler because you’re moving.

That doesn’t mean you’re not getting burned.

BRING WATER

You can drink beer.

You can drink cocktails.

You can drink whatever else you planned.

But drink water too.

Especially if you’re paddling.

DON’T DRINK AND PADDLE

This is one of those rules that should be obvious.

If you’re going to have a serious drinking day, get a captain-driven boat instead.

A private party boat gives you the luxury of having someone else operate the boat while your group enjoys the day.

THAT BRINGS US TO LAKE AUSTIN

If you’re planning a real boat party, Lake Austin is where you want to be.

This is where you rent a pontoon or party boat.

You hire a captain.

You bring your friends.

And you spend several hours cruising, anchoring and hanging out.

THE PRIVATE BOAT OPTION

If you’ve got a big group, renting the entire boat is usually the best way to do it.

Instead of buying individual tickets, your group controls the boat.

You choose the people.

You choose the music.

You choose the food.

You choose the drinks.

And you don’t have to share the boat with strangers.

For a private Lake Austin experience, Lake Austin Pontoon Rentals offers captained private party-boat outings designed around groups and celebrations.

Another strong option is Tide Up Boat Rentals, which offers captained private outings on Lake Austin and Lake Travis.

Wave in Water- Austin Party Boats & Pontoon rentals is another party-oriented operator offering Lake Austin experiences.

HOW BIG SHOULD YOUR GROUP BE?

This is where the math gets interesting.

If you have 10 friends and the boat costs $800, that’s $80 per person.

Suddenly a private boat doesn’t sound nearly as expensive.

If you have 12 or 13 people, the per-person cost can become even more attractive depending on the boat.

That’s why private boat rentals are especially good for birthdays, bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, reunions and big friend groups.

DON’T JUST RENT THE BIGGEST BOAT

Bigger isn’t automatically better.

Ask yourself:

Do you want to cruise?

Do you want to swim?

Do you want to party?

Do you want to wake surf?

Do you want a shaded pontoon?

Do you want a luxury wake boat?

Different boats are designed for different experiences.

THE PONTOON PARTY BOAT

For a traditional party, I would choose the pontoon.

You get lots of seating.

Flat areas.

Shade.

Coolers.

Music.

Easy access to the water.

And plenty of room for people to move around.

It’s basically a floating patio.

THE WAKE BOAT

If your group wants watersports, that’s different.

Look at a wake boat.

You can spend part of the day cruising and part of the day wake surfing or wakeboarding.

That’s a much more active experience.

THE DOUBLE-DECKER PARTY BOAT

If you’re going for pure Austin party energy, look for one of the double-decker or specialty party boats.

Some operators offer boats designed specifically around large social groups.

For example, Disco Cowgirl Boat Rental offers a highly themed, party-focused Lake Austin experience built around a double-decker boat.

That’s the kind of thing you book when the boat itself is part of the party.

THE CAPTAIN IS WORTH IT

Could you operate a boat yourself?

Possibly, depending on the rental and your qualifications.

But for a party?

Hire the captain.

Seriously.

The captain knows the lake.

The captain handles the boat.

The captain handles docking.

The captain gets you where you’re going.

And everybody else gets to relax.

That’s worth the money.

WHERE DO LAKE AUSTIN BOATS LEAVE FROM?

A lot of Lake Austin party boats use the Loop 360 Boat Ramp area near the Pennybacker Bridge.

Several operators list the Loop 360 area as their Lake Austin meeting point, including Austin Boat Parties, Tide Up, Wave in Water and other operators. (Austin Boat Parties)

That location is convenient because you can get on the water and quickly reach the scenic sections of Lake Austin.

THE 360 BRIDGE IS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

If you’re renting a boat on Lake Austin, ask your captain about cruising near the Pennybacker/360 Bridge.

It’s one of the most recognizable views in Austin.

And it’s a great place for group photos.

THE BEST BOAT DAY FORMULA

Here’s the formula:

12:00 p.m.

Meet at the launch.

12:15 p.m.

Load the boat.

12:30 p.m.

Start cruising.

1:00 p.m.

Find a good swimming area.

1:30 p.m.

Music goes up.

2:00 p.m.

Food and drinks.

3:00 p.m.

Swim and float.

4:00 p.m.

Cruise around.

5:00 p.m.

More swimming.

6:00 p.m.

Head back.

6:30 p.m.

Go find dinner.

That’s a perfect Austin summer Saturday.

BRING THE RIGHT COOLER

Don’t bring five little coolers.

Bring one or two big ones.

Keep drinks in one.

Food in another.

And make sure somebody is responsible for keeping them stocked.

A captain-led Lake Austin party can often accommodate food and drinks, but policies vary by operator, so check before you arrive. Austin Boat Parties, for example, says food and drinks are welcome and offers cooler/ice add-ons. (Austin Boat Parties)

DON’T BRING GLASS

This should be automatic.

Bring cans or plastic.

Don’t bring a glass bottle onto a party boat.

It’s unnecessary and dangerous.

MAKE A PLAYLIST BEFORE YOU GO

Don’t spend the first 30 minutes arguing about music.

Make the playlist the night before.

Have enough music for the entire trip.

And make sure at least two people have the playlist downloaded in case cell service becomes unreliable.

THE PERFECT BOAT PARTY PLAYLIST

Start with:

Old-school hip-hop.

Move into:

Texas country.

Then:

90s/2000s throwbacks.

Then:

Reggaeton.

Then:

House music.

Then:

Whatever gets everybody dancing.

By 4 p.m., nobody cares who made the playlist anyway.

THE FLOATING WATER MAT

If your boat comes with a floating mat, use it.

This is one of the best parts.

Anchor.

Put the mat in the water.

Everybody jumps off.

Hang out.

Talk.

Drink.

Take pictures.

Then climb back onto the boat.

It’s essentially a floating backyard.

THE PARTY COVE EXPERIENCE

Ask your captain about the best social areas for your group.

Lake Austin has areas where boats congregate and people spend the afternoon swimming and hanging out.

The exact conditions and locations can change, so let your captain determine the safest place to anchor rather than assuming you can simply stop anywhere.

DON’T TRY TO ANCHOR YOURSELF SOMEWHERE RANDOM

This is why having a captain helps.

The lake has traffic.

There are shorelines.

There are docks.

There are other boats.

There are no-wake areas.

Let somebody who knows the lake handle the logistics.

WANT TO JOIN A PARTY INSTEAD?

You don’t necessarily need 12 friends.

That’s the beauty of ticketed cruises.

Instead of renting the entire boat, you buy a seat.

This is perfect if you’re:

Solo.

A couple.

A small group.

Or you simply don’t want to organize an entire boat.

Some Austin operators offer public/ticketed cruises in addition to private charters. Capital Cruises, for example, operates public cruises and private charters on Lady Bird Lake, while other local operators offer ticketed sunset experiences on Austin-area lakes.

THE TICKETED PARTY IS THE EASY OPTION

This is what you do when you want:

The boat.

The music.

The people.

The drinks.

Without having to organize 10 friends.

Buy the ticket.

Show up.

Meet people.

Enjoy the lake.

Go home.

Simple.

PRIVATE BOAT VS. TICKETED BOAT

Private boat:

Best for: birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, big friend groups, reunions.

Pros: Your own group, your music, your schedule, your food and drinks.

Cons: Higher total cost and you have to organize everyone.

Ticketed boat:

Best for: couples, solo people, small groups.

Pros: Easy, social and no need to fill an entire boat.

Cons: You’re sharing the experience with strangers.

THE BEST CHOICE FOR A BIRTHDAY

Private boat.

No question.

Get your closest friends.

Decorate the boat if allowed.

Make a playlist.

Bring food.

Get a captain.

Spend four hours on the lake.

Then head into Austin for dinner and drinks.

THE BEST CHOICE FOR A BACHELOR PARTY

Private boat.

Start early.

Get on Lake Austin.

Spend several hours on the water.

Then head downtown.

Don’t start the night downtown.

Start it on the lake.

THE BEST CHOICE FOR A BACHELORETTE

Private boat.

This is basically the perfect Austin bachelorette activity.

Matching swimsuits.

Big sunglasses.

Music.

Drinks.

Photos.

Floating.

And a boat full of friends.

Austin has become known for lake-based bachelorette activities for exactly this reason.

THE BEST CHOICE FOR A COUPLE

Do a sunset cruise.

You don’t need an entire party boat.

Get on the water.

Watch the sun go down.

Then go to dinner.

That’s a much better date than sitting in traffic.

THE BEST CHOICE FOR A SOLO PERSON

Buy a ticket to a public cruise.

You don’t have to organize anything.

You just show up.

And if it’s a social party boat, you might leave with 10 new friends.

THE KAYAK VERSION FOR COUPLES

If you’re trying to save money, rent a tandem kayak.

It’s cheap.

It’s romantic.

And you get the skyline.

Just remember that tandem kayaking requires cooperation.

If you and your partner don’t communicate well, you may discover some things about your relationship.

THE BEST TIME OF DAY FOR LAKE AUSTIN

Late afternoon is excellent.

The worst heat of the day starts to fade.

The light gets better.

The photos get better.

And you can finish with sunset.

But if your group wants maximum party time, start earlier.

THE PERFECT SUMMER BOAT DAY

12:00 p.m. — Launch

12:30 p.m. — Cruise

1:00 p.m. — Swim

2:00 p.m. — Food

3:00 p.m. — Party

4:30 p.m. — Float

5:30 p.m. — Cruise

6:30 p.m. — Sunset

7:00 p.m. — Return

8:00 p.m. — Dinner

That is a full Austin summer day.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP: BOOK EARLY

June is prime lake season.

Weekends fill up.

Especially Saturdays.

Especially holiday weekends.

Especially boats that accommodate larger groups.

Don’t wait until Thursday to start looking for a Saturday boat.

By then, the good ones may be gone.

BOOK THE BOAT BEFORE YOU BOOK THE DINNER

This is another important tip.

Your boat is the difficult reservation.

Dinner is easier.

Once you know the boat time, build the rest of your day around it.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME AFTER THE BOAT

Don’t schedule dinner 20 minutes after your boat returns.

Traffic.

Loading.

Parking.

Getting changed.

Driving.

It all takes time.

Give yourself at least an hour.

BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES

Especially if you’re swimming.

Nobody wants to sit through dinner wearing wet swim trunks.

Bring:

Dry shirt.

Shorts.

Underwear.

Shoes.

Deodorant.

You’ll thank yourself later.

DON’T FORGET SUNGLASSES

And don’t bring your $300 designer sunglasses.

They can fall into the lake.

Bring something inexpensive.

THE SAME GOES FOR YOUR PHONE

Use a waterproof case.

Or a floating phone pouch.

Because the lake has a way of collecting expensive electronics.

THE PHOTO TIP

Get your group photo early.

Everyone looks better before several hours of sun and swimming.

Then get another one at sunset.

Those are usually the keepers.

THE FOOD TIP

Keep food simple.

Sandwiches.

Wraps.

Fruit.

Chips.

Tacos.

Chicken.

Anything that doesn’t require a knife and fork.

You don’t want a full catered meal bouncing around the boat.

THE DRINK TIP

Keep it simple.

Beer.

Seltzers.

Water.

Electrolytes.

And whatever else your group wants, within the law and your operator’s rules.

Remember that the captain is there to operate the boat, not supervise everybody’s drinking.

THE GOLDEN RULE OF THE BOAT

Don’t make the captain’s job harder.

Listen when they tell you where you can sit.

Listen when they tell you where you can swim.

Listen when they tell you it’s time to head back.

They’re responsible for getting everyone home.

THE TRASH RULE

Bring a trash bag.

Tie it somewhere secure.

Every can.

Every wrapper.

Every bottle.

Everything goes in it.

Don’t throw anything overboard.

THE AUSTIN SUMMER WATER RULE

If you see something floating in the water, don’t automatically assume it’s a party decoration.

It might be trash.

Pick it up if it’s safe.

Austin’s waterways belong to everybody.

LADY BIRD LAKE OR LAKE AUSTIN?

If you have:

$20-$50 per person: Kayak or paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake.

$50-$100 per person: Look for a ticketed cruise or split a smaller boat.

$100+ per person: Private party boat becomes an option depending on group size and boat.

10-15 friends: Definitely investigate a private charter.

2 people: Kayak or ticketed cruise.

Birthday: Private boat.

Bachelor/bachelorette: Private boat.

Date: Sunset cruise.

Friends looking for a cheap day: Kayaks.

THE BALLER ATX SUMMER WATER CHECKLIST

Book early.

Go with a group.

Split the private boat cost.

Hire a captain.

Bring a cooler.

Bring water.

Bring sunscreen.

Bring a dry bag.

Bring a waterproof phone case.

Bring a change of clothes.

Bring a trash bag.

Make a playlist.

Don’t bring glass.

Don’t drink and operate a kayak or boat.

Listen to your captain.

And don’t leave anything in the lake.

THE BEST SECRET

Here’s the real trick:

Don’t think of the lake as the entire event.

Make it the beginning.

Spend the afternoon on the water.

Come back to shore.

Clean up.

Get dinner.

Then go out.

That’s how you turn a boat rental into an entire Austin Saturday.

THE PERFECT AUSTIN SUMMER SATURDAY

11:30 a.m.

Breakfast tacos.

1:00 p.m.

Lake Austin boat.

5:30 p.m.

Back to the dock.

6:30 p.m.

Shower and change.

7:30 p.m.

Dinner.

9:30 p.m.

Drinks.

11:00 p.m.

Live music.

1:00 a.m.

Late-night tacos.

That’s the kind of day June was made for.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Austin in June is hot.

Very hot.

But that’s exactly why getting on the water is one of the best things you can do.

If you want cheap and casual, grab a kayak or paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake and join the summer paddle scene.

If you’ve got a big group, rent a private party boat on Lake Austin and let a captain handle the driving while everyone else swims, floats, eats, drinks and listens to music.

If you don’t have enough people for a private boat, buy a ticket to a public cruise and let somebody else organize the party.

And if you really want to do Austin summer the right way?

Don’t just go to the lake.

Make the lake the centerpiece of your entire day.

Breakfast tacos.

Boat.

Swimming.

Music.

Sunset.

Dinner.

Drinks.

Live music.

Late-night tacos.

That’s an Austin summer Saturday.

And once you’ve spent a June afternoon floating around Lake Austin with your friends, you’re going to wonder why you waited until June to get on the water.