Bats, Boats & Breathtaking Sunsets: a Twilight Bat Cave Excursion on Lake Guntersville
Trade Netflix for nature’s own night-show—250,000 gray bats, a private pontoon, and a sky that turns copper.
The Perfect Friday (or Saturday) Plot Twist
Picture this: You’ve spent the afternoon doing yoga on your treehouse deck or soaking in the hot tub at your cabin on Sunrise Ridge. Golden hour rolls in, stomachs start to rumble, and you hop in the golf cart that comes with every ReTreet reservation. Twelve scenic minutes later you’re pulling into City Harbor, Guntersville’s waterfront playground, where three distinctly delicious options sit side-by-side:
Coastal tacos loaded with fresh tuna and ceviche’ salsa from La Esquina Cocina
A classic steakhouse searing rib-eyes to smoky perfection from Big Mike’s Steakhouse
A craft brewery flipping half-pound burgers and pouring small-batch ales at Nash’s
Dinner handled, you stroll down the pier just as the clock strikes 6:00 PM. Waiting nearby is a gleaming pontoon captained by the ever-charismatic Captain Thomas and crew from Island Boat Rentals—your guides for the Twilight Bat Cave Excursion.
Cast Off Into Copper Light
After a quick safety chat, lines are untied and the pontoon drifts away from the dock. City Harbor’s music fades behind you; lake silence wraps around like a warm blanket. Bald eagles occasionally silhouette against the sky while Captain Thomas points out hidden coves and the 69,000-acre sprawl of Lake Guntersville.
Within thirty minutes the massive profile of Guntersville Dam appears. Just upriver on the north bank, half-masked by hardwood forest, sits a limestone opening sealed behind protective fencing: Hambrick Bat Cave. Federally protected, this cave is home to a jaw-dropping colony of 60,000 – 250,000 gray bats—an endangered species that can eat its own weight in insects every night (mosquito haters, rejoice!).
Click to Watch the Full Trip Unfold on YouTube
Showtime in the Shadows
Anchors drop, motors idle, and the pontoon rocks gently while dusk works its magic. The lake’s surface turns liquid copper; the horizon blushes orange-pink. Crew members sometimes pass around chilled drinks, fleece blankets, and ask questions (“True or False: Gray bats migrate up to 200 miles for hibernation?” Spoiler: True). Kids wiggle with anticipation. Grown-ups set phones to burst mode.
Then it happens—first a wispy trickle, then a living tornado. Tens of thousands of tiny silhouettes spiral from the cave mouth, swooping in tight figure-eights before fanning out over the river. The collective whoosh is softer than you’d expect, almost like wind through pine needles. It lasts a mesmerizing 20-30 minutes, long enough to forget the concept of time, short enough to leave you craving an instant replay.
Because public shore access is restricted, viewing by boat or kayak is the only respectful way to witness the spectacle without disturbing the colony. ReTreet’s exclusive charter keeps group size intimate—six guests max—so every seat is front-row.
Star-Lit Return & Resort Nightcaps
Once the last bat has disappeared into the violet sky, Captain Thomas throttles up for the glide back. With navigation lights twinkling on the bow, conversation drifts from “Wow!” to “When can we do this again?” At 8:00 PM you step onto the same dock you left, city-harbor string lights reflecting in the water. A short 12-minute cart ride later you’re back at ReTreet Resort & Spa, swapping bat-safari highlights around a fire pit or grabbing a late-night treat from the 24/7 Tree Store.
Why This Excursion Belongs on Your Bucket List
Private Pontoon: No crowded decks or elbowing for photos—just a small crew, your playlist, and Captain Thomas’s corny (but lovable) bat jokes.
Conservation-Friendly: View an endangered species without stepping on fragile habitat.
Door-to-Dock Convenience: City Harbor sits a breezy 12 minutes from ReTreet. No need to wrestle with public boat ramps or long drives after dark.
Built-In Dinner Plan: Three eateries within flip-flop distance of the boat—eat first, then sail. Vacation logistics = solved.
Guaranteed Refunds: Alabama weather can be dramatic. If storms roll in or the boat doesn’t fill, you’ll get 100% of your money back. No stress.
Need-to-Know Logistics
Season: Every Friday & Saturday, May – August
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (arrive 10 mins early)
Capacity: Up to 6 guests per charter
Price: $100 per person (children count as a seat)
What’s Included: Captain & crew, life vests, bottled water or soft drinks, trivia fun
What to Bring: Layered clothing (lake breezes can dip after sunset), camera/phone, a sense of wonder
Booking: Pre-book through your ReTreet concierge or the confirmation link in your guest portal.
Cancellation: Full refund for severe weather or under-booking; otherwise, sales are final.
A Few Bat Facts to Impress Your Boat-Mates
All gray bats in the world live within the southeastern United States—so you’re witnessing a truly regional phenomenon.
Gray bats roost exclusively in caves, unlike many bat species that split time in trees or buildings.
Their mass emergence can reduce local mosquito populations by thousands every single night. Thank you, tiny heroes.
Click To Book Your Very Own Bat Cave Boat Ride
Ready to Trade Screen Time for Scream-Worthy Sky Time?
Whether you’re a wildlife buff, a photography junkie, or just hunting for a fresh family memory, the Twilight Bat Cave Excursion delivers two straight hours of “Did that really just happen?” moments—all without straying far from the cozy comforts of ReTreet Resort & Spa.
Slots for May 9th & 10th (opening weekend) are already zipping away faster than a bat chasing moths. Tap the Book Now button in your ReTreet portal or message our concierge team, and we’ll save your seat—plus a fleece blanket—on the next voyage into Alabama’s most magical summer night.
See you on the lake… and under the bats!