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Austin Boat and Jet Ski Rentals
Austin sits at the bottom of the Highland Lakes, a chain of Hill Country lakes on the Colorado River. Lake Travis, with its limestone cliffs and deep coves, is about 40 minutes from downtown; Lake Austin winds right through the west side of the city; and Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls are about an hour out. It all adds up to some of the best wakesurfing and jet skiing water in Texas.
Book an Austin Area Lake Day
MasterCraft surf and wake boats for 12 to 18 people, three-seat Sea-Doos, a Kawasaki stand-up jet ski and a full rack of water toys, all ready at the lake when you arrive. Book online in a few minutes, or call or text 888-205-7119 any day from 7am to 10pm.
Best Lakes Near Austin
| Lake | From downtown Austin | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Austin | About 15 minutes | A narrow river lake through west Austin, lined with homes; best for cruising and shorter sessions. |
| Lake Travis | About 40 minutes | The big one: more than 60 miles of Hill Country lake with cliffs, coves and lakeside restaurants. |
| Lake Marble Falls | About an hour | A smaller Highland Lake next to the town of Marble Falls. |
| Lake LBJ | About an hour and 15 minutes | A Highland Lake that stays fairly level year-round, with open water around Kingsland and Horseshoe Bay. |
| Canyon Lake | About an hour | Clear water and swim beaches between Austin and San Antonio. |
Drive times are rough estimates from downtown without traffic.
Austin Lake Days
Cove days on Lake Travis
Anchor in a cove, swim off the platform, set out the lily pad, then take turns surfing in the main channel.
Bachelor and bachelorette weekends
Austin is one of the most popular party weekends in Texas. Add a captain so nobody in the group has to drive.
Steady water on Lake LBJ
When Lake Travis is low, Lake LBJ’s steady level makes it an easy backup.
Popular Spots on Lake Travis
We confirm the exact meeting spot when you book. Some parks have special rules for rental companies, so we pick the spot that works for your date. These are the places Austin boaters know best:
- Mansfield Dam Park: next to the dam on the lower lake, with the largest and deepest public ramp on Lake Travis and a cove for swimming.
- Pace Bend Park (Spicewood): the largest lake park in Travis County, with miles of shoreline and around 20 coves.
- Sandy Creek Park (Leander side): a north-shore park with a two-lane ramp.
- Marinas around Hudson Bend: full-service marinas on the lower lake with fuel and places to tie up for lunch.
Rentals for Austin Groups
On Lake Travis, most Austin groups pair a MasterCraft surf boat rental for 12 to 18 people with a couple of Sea-Doo jet skis and waverunners, so the boat can anchor in a cove while riders explore. Lily pads and the water trampoline are cove-day essentials, and a captained charter is the easy choice for bachelor and bachelorette weekends. On Lake Austin, check the city’s rules first: personal watercraft are banned there on certain holiday weekends.
Tips for Austin Groups
- Expect changing lake levels. Lake Travis rises and falls a lot from year to year, and some ramps close when it is low; we pick the spot that works.
- Watch for rocky ledges. Limestone ledges and points sit just under the surface near shore.
- Go early on weekends. Coves and ramps get busy by late morning in summer.
- Pack for Hill Country sun. Bring water, sunscreen and hats; there is little shade on the water.
Lake Travis or Lake LBJ?
The two big Highland Lakes feel very different on the water. Lake Travis is the classic Austin scene, with cliffs, party coves like Devil’s Cove and miles of shoreline, but its level rises and falls a lot from year to year, which can change which ramps and coves are usable. Lake LBJ, about an hour out, is normally held at a nearly constant level, so its water is steadier for surfing and skiing, with lake homes lining much of the shore. Choose Travis for the scenery and the social coves, and LBJ for dependable riding water.
More Areas We Serve
Each Highland Lake has more detail on its own page: Lake Travis and Lake LBJ. Canyon Lake sits about an hour south toward San Antonio, and Lake Belton is up I-35 near Temple. Browse all areas we serve for more.