San Jose Island (Port Aransas, TX) Exploration

 San Jose Island Exploration

On Day 2 of my trip I headed to meet a few other ladies to explore San Jose Island.  TX361S takes you to Aransas Pass and the Port Aransas Ferry.  The Ferry is operates 24/7 and is free.  It's a 10 minute ride and puts you out on Mustang Island.  More info HERE.  San Jose Island is only accessible by water.  21 miles long and 5 miles wide.  More info about this privately owned island HERE.  

After you exit the ferry it is just a couple minute's over to Fisherman's Wharf.  Enter the store to purchase your $18 ticket for a Jetty Boat ride to the Island.  Jetty Boat info HERE. Note the boat schedule, you don't want to miss the last trip back!  Oh, and just as important ... there are no facilities of any kind!  So make sure you use the bathroom at Fisherman's Wharf before getting on the Jetty Boat.  

We enjoyed watching bird watching and dolphins swimming along with us.  

Pelicans

I got lucky and got this video of a dolphin.

We started our hike heading down to the end of the Jetty.  

 

It begins as a side walk and then to get to the end you have to walk over uneven rocks.  Proceed with caution, some could be slippery especially if wet.  I did fine with my hiking boots.

We met fisherman along the way who were fishing for "sheepheads".  

Some people had carts with all their gear / cooler in it. I think I read you can rent them from The Fisherman's Wharf.

I enjoyed birding along the way!

Brown Pelicans

Snowy Egret.  I love this little guy.  Hey makes a "fashion statement" with his yellow Converse sneakers, teehee

Great Blue Heron

I'm never sure what shots I got till I get home and start reviewing.  I LOVE how I caught this one landing!

Next we began treasure hunting on the beach.  A couple of my favorite finds.

We found this little guy out looking for a good deal on a starter home, teehee.

This beautiful cross.

A wonderful day with some wonderful ladies!

We wrapped up the day with a late lunch at Virginia's on The Bay HERE.  A very short walk from Fisherman's Wharf.  I look forward to many more adventures with Houston Women's Hiking Group!

Other links :

Port Aransas - The Island Life : things to do

Next up ... Exploring Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

Goose Island State Park

  Goose Island State Park

202 S. Palmetto St.

Rockport, TX 78382-7965

361-729-2858

reserve to camp @ https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/

MY OVER-ALL IMPRESSION ...  The drive was pretty easy from Houston it's mostly I-59.  Beautiful small and cozy state park.  Clean and well maintained.  Roads and campsite drive-ways have been recently paved.  Options to camp on the Bay side or wooded area (not so windy).  Friendly staff and park host.  Headquarters sells ice.  They do not sell wood, but allow you to bring your own bundles.  I picked mine up on the way at a Buccee's off I-59.  Please call first or check their website for alerts / burn bands.  If you want to have a fire on the bayside, you have to bring your own fire pit.  There is only one place to "eat out" near the park that I could find, I didn't try it.  There is a curb store nearby where you can purchase gas/snacks/eggs and a few other camping type items.  It's at the corner of HWY35 and Mainstreet.  You will pass it on your way.  There is an HEB and other shops across they bay at Rockport.

THE BAYFRONT SITES ... are VERY close together and very windy.  I didn't spend much time down here this visit.

THE WOODED SIDE ... Very pretty and well maintained.  

It has a wooded trail that is .66 miles.  There is parking at both ends and a bird viewing area at one end.  I found this cute little sitting area with a bench along Lantana loop.  

LANTANA LOOP SITES ... more private with 3 brush / tree lined sides.

  They are all a little different and some have more room for a tent than others. Some have more shade than others.   Great for car camping.  And a few I crossed off all together since I tent camp. Here are a few examples.  Some of them have area's to put your tent that aren't visible from the road.

Site 134

Site 138

WARBLER WAY & BAYBERRY SITES ... are less private, with the exception of a few sites.  Some bigger than others.

Site 121

Site 122

WATER ONLY SITES ... are very close to parking and you could easily use a cart to transport supplies.  This is the first section.

207-213 have the least amount of shade and I wouldn't want these in the summer.

4 of the sites here have a little more privacy.

Site 214 is the furthest from parking 

Site 215 is very small.  Maybe a small dome tent would work. Great for car camping I guess and very close to the parking spaces.

Site 216 is across from 215

Site 217 was my favorite because it is more private and 218 is right beside it and reservable.  So have more space.

There is a section on a cul-de-sac.  My favorite was 219.  220 has a trail coming out right in their site.  They were doing work on 221 and 222 when I was there.

There is another water-only section with 3 sites 201-203 all close to parking.

Yep I'm that crazy lady who went around taking photos of a lot of the spaces.  If you are in the HWHG and wondering about a spot, message me.

RESTROOMS / SHOWERS .... There are 2 on the wooded side.  See the map.  Clean restrooms on Warblers Way. 

 It did take a while for the water to warm up, so turn the facet on before you get undressed.  I'm assuming the restrooms on Bayberry loop are the same.  I didn't check out the bayside bathrooms.  If anyone can let me know, I will update this post.  And I ALWAYS use shower flip flops, even if it looks clean, public showers are gross to me.

KAYAKING ...  I didn't kayak here this time. But I will update if I do in the future.  Looks like there is an automated rental.

You scan your card and enter info and then scan your card again when your done and then you are billed.  Life jackets and paddle are stored in the lockers and the lockers open when you scan your card.

FABULOUS BIRDING OPPORTUNITIES ... 
 

Bird viewing are by the bathroom on Warbler Way.

Bird viewing are at the start of Turks Cap Trail.  You will see a wood fence, the bird viewing area is behind that.

One of the park host sites says "Bird Host" - 128.  Les and Jane have feeders at their site and invite campers to stop by, sit at their picnic table, and bird watch.  In addition there are 2 other birding sites on the wooded side with places to sit and view.  The Bird Host support the feeders and take donations of mixed and sunflower seeds, plus peanut butter (important to help the birds stay warm in the winter),  so when you go, drop off a bag of bird food at their site.

 

If you are there from Nov-March you will want to check out the Whooping Cranes.  They are an endangered species that migrates to Texas.

There was a large flock of them near the "Big Tree".  I followed someone there. So I don't have exact directions.  Here is a link HERE with information about "The Big Tree" and the whooping cranes are in a field I think along 12th street near the bay.

I hope you found this information inspiring and helpful!  Let's get out there and explore all the wonderful places Texas has!

Next up ... A day trip to Aransas Pass / San Jose Island.