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Choose your own Austin adventure...aqua edition. You may be a land lover on a rare water outing or a lake rat who can't let a day pass without a splash. Either way, there's a place for you on Lake Travis, whether you have a boat or not. From private clubs that become an extended family to one-day jet ski rentals for some quick thrills, and drive-up, shoreside lounging. Below is an ever-growing list of places to visit, clubs to check out, and things to do on Lake Travis. For a detailed list of the lake's parks and their ameneties (including boat ramps), check out the parks page of this section.
Austin Yacht Club
No, this is not caviar, champagne, and giant vessels. More like beer, burgers, and sailboats. The wind is your friend at the Austin Yacht Club, situated on 35 acres with 160 boat slips in a cozy cove. Everyone else is your friend for that matter, as social bonding is as much the calling card as the sailing. AYC hosts races most Saturdays, and the Friday evening “Beer Can Series” is a great opportunity for newcomers to get their feet wet. Boatless first-time sailors can often find a crew to join. Youth programs, a clubhouse, pool, picnic grounds and more make this a close knit family atmosphere. Monthly dues are a bargain at $57 a month. More info can be found at the AYC website .
The Lake Travis Powerboat Association
The LTPA hosts a series of events on Lake Travis each year, including several poker runs. A poker run is an event in which powerboaters gather at a beginning point, and make their way to five designated locations via water to pick up a single playing card. At the end of the day, the crew with the best hand is declared the winner. For more events and to join, check out the LTPA website. DayBreak Boat Rentals
A mini-vacation of sorts, DayBreak is a source to rent watercraft ranging from individual Waverunners to a 49-person party boat, complete with water slide. More than just boat rentals, DayBreak also offers a stellar 18-hole miniature golf course open days and nights, as well as a gemstone mining facility—a big hit with kids and families, who get to pan for real, brightly colored gems from the Lake Travis sands. DayBreak is located just off 620 near the Mansfield Dam. If you know where Carlos ‘n Charlie’s is, you’re there (just across the parking lot). Volente Beach Waterpark
A fun-for-all family park with lakefront sandy beach, sand volleyball, aqua park, trampoline, rock wall, and the big draw—water slides. The Texas Twister, The Rattlesnake, and The Roadrunner are favorites. A special kids zone for tykes less than 42-inches tall lets the little ones splash and play away from the boisterous big kids. The Blu Parrot Bar & Grill offers adult libations as well as pub grub and entrees. Live music on weekends. Admission to Volente Beach is $15 for kids under 42-inches; any taller and it's $20; seniors and military personnel get the $15 ticket; season passes are only $45.
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