Things to do in Port A

Fishing/ Charters

Deep Sea Headquarters,416 W. Cotter Ave., (361) 749-5597. www.deepseaheadquarters.com. Three party boats with concessions are available for bay and offshore fishing trips and private fishing charters. Guides available for bay fishing charters. Reserve private charters in advance. Tackle and bait provided. Bring food and drink on private charters.

Dolphin Dock, 300 W. Cotter Ave., 1-800-EYE-FISH (393- 3474.) dolphindocks.com. Bay fishing, state waters and deep sea trips with four to 80-hour trips available. Four boats in fleet. Private charters aboard the Dolphin for one to 15. Bait, ice and tackle provided. Ask about food and drink availability.

Fisherman’s Wharf, 900 N. Tarpon St., (361) 749-5448, www.fishermanswharfporta.com. Two party boats take anglers fishing for four, six, eight, 12-hour and 56-hour tuna trips. Private charters available for bay, jetties or offshore with bait, ice and tackle provided. Catch the Jetty Boat to San Jose Island here. (See ad Page 79.)

Island Moorings Marina, 3500 Island Moorings Parkway, (361) 749-4100, www.islandmoorings.com. Slips are available from 30’ to over 100’ with daily, monthly, quarterly, or annual rates. Diesel and non-ethanol fuel is available at fuel docks and the store is open daily for ice, beer, drinks, snacks, frozen bait, tackle and marine needs. The pump-out station is available 24/7. The marina is located across the bay from Corpus Christi in Port Aransas, minutes from deep-water fishing.

Port Aransas Boatmen, Inc., city marina. www.paboatmen.org. This is a nonprofit organization of charter boat owners and operators who rent dock space at the city marina. Guides offer offshore and bay fishing, dolphin and nature tours and hunting trips.

Woody’s Last Stand, 154 W. Cotter Ave. (361) 749-6969, neptunescharters.com. Bay fishing aboard the Island Queen II. Rods, reels, bait and tackle furnished. Dolphin watches, shrimp trawls, sunset cruises. (See ad Page 8.)

On your own

South/north jetties, marking the entrance to the Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi Ship Channel, these granite jetties provide ample room for anglers to set up for a day of fishing. The south jetty is accessible from the beach. Take the Jetty Boat from Fisherman’s Wharf to get to the north jetty where there are no amenities — you’re on your own. Bring your trash back with you.

The Charlie’s Pasture Pier on Port Street and the J.P. Luby Pier, at Roberts Point Park were damaged by Hurricane Harvey and remain closed. Work continues on the piers with completion near, according to officials. Work on the Ancel Brundrett (Station Street) Pier was recently completed and it is now open to the public.

Horace Caldwell Pier, on the beach at the end of Beach Street. Fee per person and per rod. Catch trout under the lights as well as, redfish, whiting, pompano, blacktip shark, black drum and more. Restroom facilities. The newly completed observation deck/ pier expansion is completed and open to the public.

Dennis Dryer Municipal Harbor at Roberts Point Park is the city-operated marina with amenities. The amenities include: eight boat ramps. a captain’s lounge, a fish cleaning station, new floating docks, public restrooms, short-and- long-term slips, a laundry facility and showers available to boat slip leasers.

Surf fishing presents itself on all of Mustang Island where it does not interfere with swimmers. Trashcans are available at intervals along the beach. Please use them; don’t litter.

By boat, any angler can fish the Gulf or bays. Exercise customary safety precautions and use maps available at many locations. Some kayak/fishing maps are available at the South Jetty Gift Shop, 1726 State Highway 361, Suite A1. Keep trash on board and deposit properly when returning to shore.

Bird Watching

Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, located at the south end of Ross Avenue. The birding center is one of the stops on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.The facility has a 700-foot boardwalk with an observation tower that includes a viewing scope.At the entrance, pollinator gardens, a Monarch Butterfly Waystation and a freshwater drip to attract songbirds is located near the picnic tables. (See story Page 35.)

Birding on the Boardwalk, guided bird tours. Join guides each Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the entrance to the birding center. Free. (See story Page 35.)

Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond, Cut-off Road, behind San Juan Restaurant. More than 100 species of birds frequent this two-acre habitat, which includes a permanent freshwater wetland and pond. The boardwalk leads to an area where one can see songbirds, waterfowl and migrating bird species.The City of Port Aransas recently purchased a half-acre of land adjacent to the pond to add on to the nature preserve.(See story Page 35.)

Wetland Park, about one-quarter mile south of Avenue G on State Highway 361, across from the U.S. Post Office. The wheelchair-accessible boardwalk and observation gazebo overlook a large, shallow wetland basin habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. (See story Page 35.)

The south jetty/ I.B. Magee Jr. Beach Park, located on the northern-most part of Mustang Island. Excellent viewing area for observing all variety of open water and shore birds (See stories Pages 35, 44.)

Lynn Gavit Marsh Bird Exhibit, Civic Center foyer, 710 W. Ave. A. An exhibit of marsh birds donated in memory of Gavit by his family. It is part of Discover Port Aransas exhibits. (See story Page 47.)

Science & Nature

Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK), 750 Channel View Drive, (361) 749-6793, utmsi.utexas.edu/about/facilities/ark. Public tours 10 a.m.Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Tour the ARK to see and learn about what goes on behind the scenes. Expect to see endangered sea turtles, sea birds and raptor ambassadors. $7 per person, kids under 3 free. Reservations required. Register online at www.utmsi.utexas.edu/visit/registration.

Patton Marine Science Education Center at UTMSI, is located at 855 E. Cotter Ave., near the beach.The center has been rebuilt after Hurricane Harvey damaged it in 2017. It is now open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn about marine life through interactive displays and eight large aquaria. Free entrance. (See story Page 70.)

Wetlands Education Center (WEC) at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 3.5 acres between the Marine Science Education Center and the south jetty. A marsh/sea grass pond with a wild-scape of various sea grasses and coastal vegetation. Free guided tours are available at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Participants should meet at the UTMSI Visitors Center at 855 E. Cotter Ave. (See story Page 70.)

Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture, located on Port Street.The 1,200-acre preserve lies on land in an area long known as Charlie’s Pasture. A shaded picnic area is near the parking lot at the southern entrance on State Highway 361. People may walk the concrete trails that lead from the Port Aransas Community Park to the preserve’s pavilion. The north entrance to the preserve is at the end of Port Street.The bulkheads along Port Street are still under repairs and may be closed temporarily. (See story Page 42.)

Guided Nature Walk, The fourth Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. Meet guides in the parking lot of the Community Park, 700 Ross Ave., to take a two-hour guided hike through the preserve to see native plants and animals. Participants must register at porta.recdesk.com by 5 p.m. the Friday before. Free.

Museums

Port Aransas Museum, 101 E. Brundrett St. at Alister St., (361) 749-3800, portaransasmuseum.org. Open Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Enjoy the collection of historical photographs, videos, artifacts and stories that chronicle the history of the town and its citizens. (See story Page 55 and ad Page 56.) Free tours of the Little Chapel on the Dunes are offered through the museum on the first and third Saturday of each month. Call the museum to reserve a space on the tour. (See story Page 39.)

Farley Boat Works, 716 Ave. C, portaransasmuseum.org click on Farley Boat Works. Open Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.- noon and 1-4 p.m. Saturday tours 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays. The Farley BoatWorks has been restored and now is a working museum with a functional boat building shop. Work continues on the Preserve, a maritime museum, construction on the boat works grounds.The public is invited to Second Saturday parties. See weekly issues of the South Jetty for information about status of the Maritime Museum building project as well as events and classes at the boat works. (See story Page 63, ad Page 58.)

Surfing

Miles of the Gulf of Mexico await those who want to face the challenge of riding the surf on traditional surfboards or sailboards. Surfboards and boogie boards are available for rent at shops in Port Aransas. A favorite surfing spot for experienced surfers is between south jetty and the Horace Caldwell Pier. (See story Page 44.)

Texas Surf Camps, (361) 749- 6956 www.texassurfcamps.com. Surf camps and classes, year-round lessons, group events and parties.

Boating/Tours

Scenic, sunset, dolphin watch and nature cruises are offered from Fisherman’s Wharf, (361) 749-5448; Deep Sea Headquarters, (361) 749- 5597; Woody’s Last Stand, (361) 749-6969. Call for times, fees and other information.

Captain Kirk’s Tiki Cruises, 1-833-TIKI-CRU (848-4278), www.Captkirkstikicruises.com. Enjoya11/2hourcruiseon a 47-foot yacht to see nature and dolphins. Bring your own beverages and snacks. Cruises available include: family cruise, party cruise or sunset cruise. Make reservations online.

Chute ‘em Up Parasail, 154 W. Cotter Ave., at Woody’s Last Stand, (361) 447-5792, www.chuteemupparasail.com/. Riders are towed via boat over the Corpus Christi Ship Channel.Take off and land on the back of the boat and never get wet. Observer rides available. Operates by reservation only. Make reservations on the website. Closed during the winter months.

Getting Salty Watersports, 3500 Island Moorings Pkwy., (361) 748-SALT (7258), saltywatersports.com/ Jet ski rentals.

Mustang Dolphin Watch Nature Tour, 154 W. Cotter Ave., (361) 749-6969; neptunescharters.com. Sunset cruises, dolphin tours, nature tours and shrimp trawls. View dolphins up close on a 65-foot boat with two large decks, capable of holding up to 100 passengers. Make reservations on website.

Red Dragon Pirate Cruises, (361) 749-AHOY (2469), 440 W. Cotter Ave., www.reddragonpiratecruises.com/ Pirate ship cruises daily at Deep Sea Headquarters. Interactive two-hour inshore cruises aboard the Red Dragon. Trips seven days a week. Private charters/entertainment cruises/birthday packages. Call for information and reservations.

San Jose Island, the uninhabited island is accessible only by boat. Ride the Jetty Boat across the Corpus Christi Ship Channel from Port Aransas. Departs from Fisherman’s Wharf, 900 N. Tarpon St., (361) 749-5448. Fishing, beachcombing. No amenities. Please don’t litter, bring your trash back with you. $18 for adults and $9 for children 6 to 12, children under 5 are free. Call or visit www.fishermanswharfporta.com/jetty-boat/ for departure times.

Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures, 416 W. Cotter Ave., (361) 749-5597. scarletladydolphincruise.com/ Dolphin watch and scenic cruises around the Lydia Ann Channel.Two trips daily. Private charters are available.

Beach activities

Beach Walks, free guided walks the fourth Friday of each month at 9 a.m. meet at the orange windsock next to the Horace Caldwell Pier. Port Aransas resident Art Siebert leads the informative walks along the shoreline looking for beach finds. (See story Page 54.)

Board House Surf and Skate Shop, 509 N. Alister St., (361) 749-3100, www.boardhousesurfshop.com. Surfboard rentals. Surfboards and skateboards from traditional to progressive as well as surfing and skating supplies, clothing and more.

Fly It Port A! Kite Shop, 405 W. Ave. G, (361) 749-4190. Kites, windsocks, beach games and more. (See ad Page 7.)

Island Motor Bikes, 315 S. Alister St., (361) 655- 5501, islandmotorbikes.com. Motorized bicycles, fat tire bicycles, cruiser bicycles, trikes, kids’ fat tire bikes and freestyle BMX bikes for rent. Also service, repair, parts and sales.

Island Surf Rentals, 124 E. Ave. G, (361) 749-0822, www.islandsurfrentals.com. Golf carts, scooters, kayaks, surfboards, beach bikes.

Sand Sculpture Lessons, by Build a Better Sand Castle. Call Mark Landrum, (361) 290- 0414, www.sandrum.com. One-on-one, group lessons, family plans. (See ad Page 7.)

Golf

Palmilla Beach Resort and Golf Community, 258 Snapdragon, off State Highway 361, south of Beach Access Road 1A. (361) 749-4653, www.palmillabeachgolfclub.com. Play a 9-holes of links-style golf plus the “Loop,” a quick three-hole (Par 9) short course, plus a driving range. Every golf booking comes with a complimentary golf cart and access to the driving range for 1 hour prior to tee off time. Open daily. (See story Page 72, ad Page 9.)

Tennis

Port Aransas Tennis Association welcomes tennis buffs age 18 and older to join them just for fun at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Port Aransas High School tennis courts on Station Street. Free. See South Jetty for updates. For more information, call (713) 502-1072. (See story Page 71.)

Service Clubs

Animal Friends of Port Aransas (AFPA), animalfriendsofportaransas.org. A nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to providing care, humane treatment and re-homing for rescue animals. Also holds free vaccination clinics for Port Aransas pet owners.

Friends of the ARK, friendsoftheark.org. A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) in Port Aransas by providing education, volunteers and funding.

Keep Port Aransas Beautiful (KPAB), www.kpab.org. A 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on litter reduction, beautification, environmental education and community improvement.

Parrot Heads of Port Aransas (PHoPA) portaransasparrotheads.com. Meets monthly to socialize and plan activities to help community with environmental and social programs.

Port Aransas Education Foundation (PAEF) paisdfoundation.org. A local non-profit entity established to provide funds in the form of grants for educational materials, events, and training not traditionally funded by school budgets.

Port Aransas Garden Club (PAGC) www.portaransasgardenclub.org. Meets the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Community Center. A 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1964 to encourage interest in the beautification of the city.

Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association (PAPHA) www.portaransasmuseum.org. A 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting citizen interest and participation in the appreciation and preservation of Port Aransas’ history, environment and ambiance. (See story Page 55, ads Pages 56, 58.)

Port Aransas Police Foundation (PAPF) portapf.org. A 501(c)(3) organization created to support the Port Aransas Police Department by providing support for efforts that enhance police/community relations, crime prevention, and public safety through grant funding for specialized equipment, training, and cooperative community programs.

Port Aransas Tourism Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, 403 W. Cotter Ave., (361) 749-5919, visitportaransas.com/. (See story Page 11, ad Page 13.)

Rotary Club, rotaryporta.com. Meets the third Thursday of each month at noon in the conference room at Alister Square Inn, 122 S. Alister St.

VFW Post 8967, 311 N. Alister St. Meetings 10:30 a.m., the third Wednesday of every month. (See ad Page 30.)

Auxiliary to the VFW Post 8967, meetings noon second Tuesday of every month at the post.

Youth Development Foundation of PortAransas, meets the second Thursday of each month at noon in the Parish Hall at Trinity-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 433 Trojan Ave. Brown bag lunch meeting. All invited. The YDF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports children’s programs in the Port Aransas ISD, summer camps and scholarships for PAISD graduating seniors. Its mission is to instill community service, volunteerism and provide leadership opportunities for Port Aransas youth.

Theater

Port Aransas Community Theatre (PACT) 2327 State Highway 361, (361) 749-6036, portaransascommunitytheatre.com. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of volunteer actors, producers, directors, stagehands, etc. who present productions year-round. Watch issues of the South Jetty for information about productions and events at the theater. (See story Page 37, ad Page 38.)

Art

Port Aransas Art Center, 104 N. Alister St., (361) 749-7334, www.portaransasartcenter.org. Nonprofit art center of Mustang and Padre islands. Gallery with art exhibits, working studio, classroom and gift shop. First Friday artist receptions held monthly. See the art calendar in issues of the South Jetty newspaper each week for current information. (See story Page 49, ad Page 49.)

Fire It! Ceramics, 616 S. Alister St., (361) 749-7967, www.fireitceramics.com/. Paint-it-yourself ceramic studio where you can pick a piece, pick a paint and get creative. (See ad Page 55.)

Swim/Fitness

Port Aransas Community Park, 700 Clark Parkway, (361) 749-2416. Public swimming pool, splash pad, fitness trail, skate park, dog park, lighted Senior League ball field and lighted Little League field, disc golf, play structures, sport court and bird watching area. Pool is open daily except Monday. Park admission is free, pool admission is free for children under age 2, $1 for ages 2 to 18, $2 for those age 19 to 59 and $1 for seniors 60 and older. Lap swim, open swim, swim lessons, water exercise and deep-water aerobics classes. See the Island Agenda on Page 2A in weekly issues of the South Jetty for swim times, classes and special events. (See story Page 16.)

Fit By Choice, (361) 438- 2693, group classes in yoga and strength. Personal training by appointment. www.portafitbychoice.com for schedule.

Karen Decker Fitness at Christensen Center for Health and Wellness, 320 W. Ave. G, (361) 800-1759, www.karendecker.com. Fitness classes for all levels. Weights and exercise equipment for a full body workout. Call or visit website for information about class times.

Yoga on the Beach, (361) 749-4158, held second Saturday of the month, 8:30 a.m. next to Horace Caldwell Pier at the end of Beach Street. Free. Sponsored by the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department. (See story Page 36.)

Tootling Around

1st Stop Cart Rentals. 718 Station St., (361) 332-8591, 1ststopcarts.com.

Bron’s Beach Carts, 314 E. Ave. G, (361) 290-7143, bronsbeachcarts.com. (See ad Page 5.)

Cars & Carts, 325 E. Ave G, (361) 749-1655, www.carsandcarts.com.

Coastal Ed’s, 600 Cut-off Road, Suite 6; (361) 749-7001, www.coastaleds.com.

Island Motor Bikes, 315 S. Alister St., (361) 655-5501, islandmotorbikes.com.

Island Surf Rentals, 124 E. Ave. G, 749-0822.

Island Outfitters and Golf Carts, 519 Jenna’s Way, (361) 336-3866, www.islandoutfitterstx.com.

Jackfish Cart Rentals, 3411 11th St. (361) 459-2900, por taransasgolfcarts. com.

Kacie’s Beach Rentals, 445 W. Cotter. Ave. Suite D, kaciesbeachrentals.com/.

Kaz’s Golf Carts, 521 W. Ave. G, (817) 456-4570, www.kazsislandrentals.com.

Life in Paradise, 107 Cut-off Road, (361) 749-7206, www.lifeinparadise.net. (See ad Page 21.)

Paradise Cart Rentals, 428 S. Alister St., (361) 749-3003, www.paradisecartrental.com.

Peyton’s Beach Carts, 315 Cut-off Road, (361) 800-2183, www.peytonsbeachcarts.com.

Peyton’s 2 Beach Carts, 422 W. Ave. G. (361) 800-5303.

Port A Beach Buggies, 307 W. Ave. G/Cut-off Road, (361) 749-2066, www.portabeachbuggies.com. (See ad Page 40.)

Port A Beer Hut, 905 St. hwy. 361, (361) 244-8654.

Port A Jeeps, 345 N. Alister St., Suite E1, (361) 416- 0517,www.PortAransasJeep Rental.com. Jeep, car, SUV and pickup rentals.

Sage Beach Carts, 5009 St. Hwy. 361, (361) 217-0703, sagebeachcarts.com.

Sly Customs, 215 E. Ave. G., (833) RIDESLY (743-3759), slycustoms.com.

Silver Sands Golf Cart Rentals, 307 Sea Isle Drive, (361) 749-CART (2278), silversandsgolfcarts.com/golfcart rentals.

Tarpon Carts & Rentals, 614 N. Alister St. (361) 749- 2569, tarponcartsandrentals@gmail.com. (See ad Page 69.)

Texas Red Golf Carts, 311 Sea Isle Dr., (361) 749-5400, www.texasredgolfcarts.com.

Sky Diving

Sky Dive South Texas/ Mustang Island Skydiving, 139 Piper Blvd. (361) 945-JUMP (5867), skydivesouthtexas.com. Sky dive Mustang Island. Training and tandem dives by reservation. Check the website for hours.

Aerial Tours

Aero-Copters, 130 Piper Blvd. (361) 360-1955, www.aerocopters com. Helicopter tours of Port Aransas. Tours beginning at $25 per seat. Charter flights available.