And lucky for you, natural wonder is in every direction you look in Port Aransas.
Your appreciation for the natural landscape has drawn you to the isand life. Picture yourself strolling along the beach to the tune of calming waves, pointing out each dolphin you spot, and keeping your binoculars on hand for spur-of-the-moment birding. You’re seeking a chance to connect with nature on a deeper level, so check out this custom itinerary with Port A’s natural wonder in mind.
Set The Mood
On your way down to the beach, turn on this custom playlist that's all about soaking in the beauty of the coast! Waves crashing, gratitude at a high, salty air—this playlist will have you primed and ready for the natural wonder of Port Aransas.
Morning
Get up and at 'em when you head to the beach to watch the sunrise. The sun rises majestically right over the waves, and if you're lucky, you can snag a photo of the sun lining up just perfectly underneath Horace Caldwell Pier. Pure magic.
Port Aransas is known as a birder's paradise, so once the sun is in the sky, you'll want to make your way to Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center to watch migratory birds soar or catch a glimpse of the Port Aransas city bird, the Roseate Spoonbill. If you're lucky, you'll even get to see Boots, Port A's resident American alligator!
For a more extended journey into nature, explore the rest of the Port Aransas Nature Preserve sites, like Charlie's Pasture and the Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond. Miles of hike and bike boardwalk trails crisscross the beautiful, protected wetlands, and they are just waiting for you to explore them!
Pack your lunch, because you're going to St. Jo's! San José Island is a privately-owned, primitive island just a short boat ride from Port Aransas. On these uninhabited shores, you can find a wealth of shelling and beachcombing and some of the best fishing around. All you need to do is hob aboard the jetty boat out of Port Aransas Fisherman's Wharf for a quick ferry over to the shoreline.
If you'd like to limit your exploring to just one island this round, you can sit outside at one of Port A's many waterfront restaurants, like Grumbles Seafood Co. or Virginia's on the Bay, for a tasty lunch. Then, take a leisurely stroll through Roberts Point Park or along the south jetties, where you can see sea turtles bobbing along or dolphins playing in ships' wakes.
Now that you've exhausted yourself in the sun, you can board a sunset dolphin-watching cruise for a more relaxed interaction with nature. Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures will whisk you away to watch dolphins play, or you can get up close and personal with nature on the Mustang's dolphin tour, which features a touch tank in the middle where you can learn about the creatures in the Gulf.
Still raring to go? You can spend your evening with GlowRow, a light-up kayak tour company who will take you through the Lighthouse Lakes paddling trail and show you all the night-time wildlife in the water.
Cap the evening off with a bonfire on the beach from Rollin' Tide Boil Co. You can relax in Adirondack chairs or roast s'mores over a bonfire and toast to your perfect day full of natural wonder.
Spend the night at one of the many accommodations in Port Aransas that are just steps from the beach and you'll be close to nature at all times. From one of these beautiful stays, you can take in the waves right from your balcony. Enjoy!
One of the advantages you get when visiting Port Aransas is the proximity from your lodging of choice to the sparkling water of the Gulf Coast. With a…
