Hwy 188 Bridge
27°59’55.1″N 97°10’07.9″W (see map) The kayak launch site at Port Bay on Highway 188 is a convenient spot for paddlers to begin their adventure on the water. Located at the northern end of the 188 bridge over Port Bay just North West of Rockport, the launch site offers easy access to local waters of the bay, which are perfect for kayaking. The launch area is maintained by Aransas Pathways and features a gravel shoreline that makes it easy for kayakers to launch their boats. There are ample parking spaces available near the launch site, making it convenient for visitors to park their vehicles and transport their kayaks to the water’s edge. Wade fishing is also available on the North side of the bay. Kayakers can explore the calm waters of Port Bay, which is home to a variety of saltwater fish. Overall, the kayak launch site at Port Bay on Highway 188 is an excellent spot for paddlers of all levels to begin their adventure on the water.
Swan Lake
1201 Copano Retreat Rd, Taft, TX 78390 (see map) Swan Lake Kayak launch site is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts, located on Copano Retreat Road in Taft, TX. Copano Retreat Road is located off of TX Highway 188, 4 miles Northwest of 35 Bypass Rockport, TX. The launch site provides access to the North East area of Port Bay, which is a shallow saltwater body of water surrounded by marshlands. The launch site features ample parking space for vehicles and trailers. There is a 50 yard hard surface path from the parking lot to the water. In addition to kayaking and canoeing, Swan Lake also offers excellent opportunities for fishing, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can expect to see a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. Overall, Swan Lake Kayak launch site on Copano Retreat Road is a great destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of the Texas coast while enjoying outdoor recreational activities.
Port Bay Road
612 Port Bay Club Rd, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) PORT BAY ROAD This site is located at the north west end of Port Bay road off of Farm to Market Road 1069. It is an existing public access site to this part of Port Bay. Most of Port Bay Road is a fair weather access road and is subject to rutting in rainy weather. This area of Port Bay is known as a good winter fishing area.
Airport Road
28°05’18.2″N 97°03’37.8″W (see map) Located at the northwest end of Airport road where it intersects with Copano Bay with excellent access to Copano Bay. The site is only a short distance from Rockport-Fulton with a hard surface driveway and parking area. Shoreline access is through a short trail from the parking area. Kayaks can be launched from the shore which also provides great shoreline or wade-fishing and birdwatching. The area along the shoreline north of here is undeveloped as it is part of the Aransas County Airport property.
Rockport Beach Park
319 Broadway St, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) Common Species – This is a nesting area for many birds. Some of the nesting birds include Black Skimmer, TriColored Heron, Reddish Egret, Great Blue Heron, Least Tern, Laughing Gull, Killdeer, and Clapper Rail Spring and Summer Species – Black Tern, Magnificent Frigatebird Winter Species – American White Pelican, Merlin, large flocks of Avocets Residents – Caspian, Royal, and Forster’s Tern, Roseate Spoonbill, Brown Pelican, Black Skimmer, Reddish Egret Rockport Beach Park Directions – Seabreeze Drive. This is a pay area with Little Bay to the left and Aransas Bay to the right. At the end of the park there is an observation platform overlooking Bird Island, which is spectacular in the spring with numerous nesting birds. This is an important nesting site of the Black Skimmer.
Howard Murph Memorial Park
Loop 1781, Rockport, TX 78382 28°05’44.0″N 97°03’05.2″W (see map) Species – Greater Roadrunner, American Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpipers, Caspian, Royal, and Forster’s Terns, assorted Sparrows in winter, Osprey, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Reddish Egret Left in its natural state the shoreline of the park is covered with oyster shell fragments and the shallow water has sandy and seagrass beds great for fishing and wading into the shallow water. The spot also makes for a great kayak launch site. The Park also has BBQ pits and covered seating for you to enjoy. Alligator Warning – We will warn you though that there have been spotting of coastal alligators in the area. Please keep an eye out if you decide to walk out. Howard Murph Memorial Park Site is also known as the Airport Park. Directions: FM 1781, directly behind the Aransas County Airport. This is a small park with access to Copano Bay. There are picnic facilities at this site. Howard Murph Park is an excellent location for enjoying sunsets, birdwatching, kayaking, fishing, and unwinding in a peaceful environment with picnic tables and benches.
Copano Bay (Causeway) North
28 8.1202, -97 0.6131 (see map) Copano Bay (Causeway) North AKA North LBJ CAUSEWAY Located at the Northwest end of the LBJ Causeway over Copano Bay, this site has a limited shell parking space and access to the North shoreline of Copano Bay. This area is one of the few launches protected from a North wind and has access to a few birding sites along the shoreline.
Goose Island State Park Fishing Pier
202 S. Palmetto, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) Goose Island St. Park Fishing Pier Located at the West end of the Fishing Pier on Goose Island, this is an excellent beginners launch area. Protected from the prevailing SE wind it affords access to fishing and birding.
Lamar – St. Charles Bay Boat Launch
175 Lamar Beach Rd, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) 28°08’32.6″N 96°58’35.3″W Lamar Navigation District Dock AKA St. Charles Bay Boat Launch – Located on the East side of Lamar Beach road on Lamar Peninsula just South of Fourth Street, this site affords access to the West side of St. Charles Bay for fishing and birding. Located just off shore are shell reefs that attract birds and fish. The Aransas County Navigation District owns and manages this site and is willing to make a special access point for kayakers. Adequate parking is in place. Fishing just off the South end of the launch is a pier that has a shell reef 30 yards off the end.
Big Tree Kayaking
1600 Twelfth St., Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) 28°09’06.3″N 96°58’26.2″W located in Lamar Located at the east corner of the intersection of Lamar Beach Road and 12th Street on the Lamar Peninsula, this site has long been used as access to St. Charles bay for wade fishing and kayaking. There is limited parking thus making it a limited use site. This area is owned by Texas Parks and Wildlife but they have not made any improvements to it. A kayak trip north along the West shore line of St Charles Bay will encounter many fishing and birding sites.