Lake Austin Boat Rental Policies & FAQs

Everything you need to know before your Longhorn Leisure Lake Austin boat rental.

💳 Deposit & Payment Policy

Want to lock in your Lake Austin boat rental for a holiday weekend or special event while coordinating your group?

Reserve your boat today with an $88 non-refundable deposit.

• Remaining balance is automatically charged 8 days prior to your scheduled trip

• Bookings made within 8 days require full payment at the time of reservation

• Unless otherwise arranged via email, the original card on file will be charged

Booking early guarantees your preferred date — especially during peak Lake Austin party weekends.

📍 Pickup Location & Parking

All commercial Lake Austin boat rentals depart from:

Loop 360 Boat Ramp (Pennybacker Bridge area)

This is the only permitted commercial pickup location on Lake Austin.

Parking is limited and Austin Police Department regularly issues citations for illegal parking.

We strongly recommend rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) to avoid delays or tickets.

Launching near Loop 360 provides quick access to:

Party Cove
Little Venice
Hula Hut
Ski Shores Café
Pennybacker Bridge scenic views

⛈ Foul Weather & Lightning Policy

Your Lake Austin boat rental takes place outdoors and operates rain or shine.

Light rain can actually enhance the experience, and there are protected areas on the lake to relax while passing showers move through.

Lightning Policy:

If lightning is forecasted or detected within a 10-mile radius, the trip is paused immediately
We resume once 20 minutes pass without lightning in the area
If lightning persists for one hour or conditions are deemed unsafe, the trip will be canceled

In the event of cancellation due to unsafe weather:

You may rebook for another date
Or receive a refund (excluding deposit if applicable)

Safety is our top priority. Our founder is a U.S. Coast Guard-certified captain with 30+ years of boating experience, and we always err on the side of caution.

📅 Same-Day Reservations

Looking for a last-minute Lake Austin boat rental?

Call or text us at 512-630-2338 and we’ll do our best to get you on the water.

🍻 Can Guests Bring Alcohol?

Yes — adult beverages are allowed on your Lake Austin pontoon rental.

Please note:

No glass containers
No red wine
Drink responsibly

Texas law prohibits providing alcohol for sale — this is BYOB only.

🥪 Can Guests Bring Food?

Absolutely. We recommend simple, easy-to-manage items such as:

Sandwiches
Fruit
Chips or popcorn

Coolers are welcome.

💵 Captain Gratuity

For captained Lake Austin boat rentals, gratuity is customary.

Standard tipping range: 18%–25%

Payment options:

Cash
Venmo
Pre-charge to credit card

If gratuity is not provided, a 20% service charge will be applied to the card on file.

👨‍✈️ Can Boats Be Rented Without a Captain?

No.

All Longhorn Leisure rentals are fully captained Lake Austin boat rentals to ensure safety, compliance with Texas Parks & Wildlife regulations, and a stress-free experience.

🌊 Do You Offer Wakeboarding or Tubing?

No.

Our focus is on:

Party Cove trips
Scenic cruises
Restaurant stops
Swimming & floating
Social lake experiences

🍹 Can We Visit Lake Austin Restaurants?

Yes! Your captain can take you to:

Hula Hut
Ski Shores Café
Quince Lakehouse

You may stop for food and drinks or be dropped off at the end of your trip.

Due to Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission regulations, we cannot pick up guests directly from restaurant docks.

❓ Still Have Questions?

Call or text: 512-630-2338

Email: info@longhornleisure.com

We’re happy to help you plan the perfect Lake Austin boat rental experience.

512-630-2338