Vanishing Texas Cruises’ Scenic Wilderness Cruise or Sunset Cruise on Lake Buchanan is a great way to enjoy Hill Country scenery and Texas wildlife during summer months. Our guests at the Mustard Seed B&B on the Llano are staying nearby. Nature cruises on Buchanan Lake are just a scenic drive away from Llano. The 45 minute drive takes you to Buchanan Dam and along the eastern lake shore to reach Vanishing Texas Cruises near the north end of the lake.
Scenic Wilderness Cruises are scheduled for Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays at 11:00 am until November 14, 2018. The 22 mile route along the lake provides passengers with scenic vistas of the lake shore’s canyon walls carved by the Colorado River. The cruise’s tour guide will describe the lake’s geology, history, local folklore, and points of interest. Sights include waterfalls cascading over the cliffs, many kinds of birds, and other native wildlife. Passengers may choose to enjoy a box lunch during the two and a quarter hour cruise. The cost for adults is $32.50 including lunch ($25.00 without); seniors and teens 13-19, $29.95 ($22.50 without lunch), and children 2-12, $24.50 ($17.50 without lunch).
Sunset Cruises depart on Saturdays at 6:00 pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Passengers enjoy live music and dinner on this cruise, while they watch the sun set over the cliffs along the lake shore. The cruise follows the same route as the Scenic Wilderness Cruise. The cost for the Sunset Cruise and dinner is $37.99 or $29.95 for the cruise alone.
During other seasons, Vanishing Texas Cruises offers Eagle Season Cruises that coincide with the eagles return to the area for the winter (November 15 – February 28), a winery tour and cruise, and Freedom Flight Cruises that release raptors rehabilitated by Last Chance Forever Bird of Prey Conservancy back into the wild. The remaining Freedom Flight Cruises for 2018 are Sundays July 15, October 21,and November 18, 2018. At the times when lake levels are extremely low, visitors can take a cruise to the ghost town site of Bluffton, which only reappears from under its watery grave in drought conditions.
Please note that the water levels on Lake Buchanan fluctuate. The Scenic Wilderness, Sunset, Eagle Season, and Freedom Flight Cruises all have been designed to operate at all water levels. Occasionally, a route may be altered to accommodate the current lake level, or rarely, a cruise may be cancelled. Reservations for cruises are suggested. Visit the Vanishing Texas Cruises website for additional information, lake levels, and to purchase tickets online.
If one of the reasons you vacation in Llano is the fun you have enjoying the Llano River and Badu Park, why not plan a cruise on Lake Buchanan too? Weekend accommodations book quickly at our intimate bed and breakfast, so don’t hesitate to go online and plan your Hill Country getaway today!
