ON THE WATER

BY: JACQUELINE GONZALEZ

Looking for something exciting to do along the water? With the coastal breeze, year-round warm temperatures, and multiple access points to water, the South Texas coast is a great place for your next water sport adventure. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush or something more relaxing, Corpus Christi has plenty of coastal activities to choose from for all ages and experience levels. Grab your vessel of choice and hit up one of these recreational vendors to learn a new water sport.

Padre Island Surf Camp

If you’re looking for a fun and safe surfing experience, whether you’re a novice or a pro, Padre Island Surf Camp offers a variety of lessons, camps, and group events for an unforgettable experience year-round. Before hitting the waves, take a crash course on basic surfing safety offered to all campers.

Texas Tease

108 PEOPLE’S ST. T-HEAD

Take a cruise on this 74-foot party boat and enjoy an airconditioned first deck, open air upper deck, and a full bar. This party vessel can hold up to 60 passengers for 2-hour tours that can travel 50 miles off the shoreline, and it sails into the Corpus Christi Bay every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings at $25-35 per person.

Fun Time Rentals

51 LAWRENCE ST. T-HEAD

Located in the heart of the Bayfront area, Fun Time Rentals serves all your water sport needs, year-round. This locally owned service prides itself on creating safe and memorable experiences for the whole family, so if you’re looking for waterfront fun, choose from jet skis or pedal boats, but if you prefer to enjoy a scenic cruise of our Bayfront, hop on a Surrey, one of the four-wheel family bicycles for a memorable experience. Military discounts available.

Water Dog Floating Yoga

89 COOPERS ALLEY WATER

Water Dog provides a fun, refreshing way to connect with the outdoors while enjoying the Marina. Choose from activities for all ages and experience levels, including yoga and fitness classes on the upper deck of its Floating Yoga Studio, or stand-up paddle board yoga, Pilates, and fit classes on the water.

Bird Island Basin

For a calmer surfing experience, visit Bird Island Basin, located within Padre Island National Seashore. This world-class windsurfing area is recognized as one of the top three destinations for windsurfing in North America because of its steady wind, warm water, and shallow depths. In addition to windsurfing, you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and swimming.

Kite Academy

OSO BAY

Whether you plan to be a local kiter or world traveler, the International Kiteboarding Organization certified instructors at Kite Academy are prepared to create a memorable experience for you. The year-round wind and multiple shallow water bays make Corpus Christi a great location for kiteboarding, so come learn the fundamentals of kiting, the intricacy of the wind, and respect of the environment and others on the water with a group of people that are passionate about kiteboarding.

Water Adventures

gREAT OUTDOORS

Japonica

Set sail from Harrison’s Landing and enjoy a relaxing ride on the Japonica, a 50foot, open air touring boat that offers a great view of the Corpus Christi skyline. Although soda, bottled water, and chips are available for purchase aboard the boat, this tour is BYOB, so make sure you’re stocked up on drinks and snacks. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a dolphin playing in Corpus Christi Bay!

Worldwinds Windsurfing

NATIONAL SEASHORE, PADRE ISLAND, BIRD ISLAND BASIN RD

Internationally recognized and the only windsurfing operation in a National Park, Worldwinds Windsurfing is a small shack that offers paddle board and kayak rentals and windsurfing classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Breathtaking scenery, flat, shallow waters, and a soft, sandy bottom make it the ideal spot to learn how to windsurf.

Glow Row

If you’re looking for a unique experience on the water, Glow Row is an excellent choice. Paddle out at night and see the Corpus Christi coast under the moonlight. Glow Row offers translucent illuminating kayaks to traverse the bay. Each kayak has the capability for guests to control the glow from seven different color combinations and set the mood for the evening.

Wind And Wave Watersports

10721 S PADRE ISLAND DR

Corpus Christi’s premier water sports store is just the place to get what you need for a safe and fun experience on the water. Browse the largest selection of surfboards, kayaks, and paddle boards in the Corpus Christi area and choose from daily or weekly rentals to fit your needs. Don’t forget to shop for all your beach essentials, too! Wind and Wave also carries a selection of beachwear to properly outfit you and your family for a safe and fun experience.

Coastal Bend Kayaking

1044 S. COMMERCIAL ST.

Certified by the American Canoe Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Bend Kayaking (CBK) offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level paddles along with refresher courses and parent/child kayaking and fishing classes. Located in Aransas Pass, CBK provides kayaking expeditions in areas including Lighthouse Lakes, Mustang Island State Park’s Paddling Trail, and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

Learn To Sail

505 S. WATER ST. # 535

Located in one of the best sailing areas in the nation, Learn to Sail takes pride in teaching students sailing safety and proper techniques to maneuver sails in any weather condition. They offer a variety of sailing courses from beginner to advanced.

Corpus Christi is known as a fishing hot spot on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Many experienced anglers travel from all over the world to cast a line in the Laguna Madre, Gulf of Mexico, or Corpus Christi Bay. Don’t let the technical jargon and fancy equipment intimidate you – fishing for the first time is no sweat! Read on to learn more about fishing from local guide Jesse Torres.

Q: What is considered the best time of year to fish in the Gulf Coast Capital?

A: The best part about living here is that the fishing is great year-round! You can chase trophy trout in the winter, but the most popular time for maximum fish is late spring to summer. Spring and summer are when the most common species (redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder) are abundant, and the weather is hard to beat.

Q: Where is the best spot to fish in the area? Which is preferred, deep sea or surf?

A: I’m not sure I can narrow it down to just one area; there are so many places and options with our bay and flat system. People can choose to sight cast or fly fish in the vast area of flats we have. There are miles of beach for people to shark fish or just cast a line and see what picks it up. The best part of the Coastal Bend is that one can do it all here: bay fishing, surf fishing, and offshore.

Q: What are the benefits of a fishing guide, and how do you choose a fishing guide?

A: When you hire a guide, you’re going out with someone who has years of experience and knowledge of the waters and fish patterns. Most guides are on the water multiple times a week and can ensure a good time with plenty of bent rods. Choosing a guide can be as easy as looking on social media or even stopping by a local marina and asking about their in-house guides. Some guides even have websites.

Q: What should locals wear and bring with them when going fishing?

A: Usually, the guide provides everything, including bait and tackle, but the clients bring drinks, snacks, and sunscreen. I always recommend people wear a hat and a breathable shirt. The majority of guides will handle the fish cleaning and hand the fillets over in a bag for you to take home.

Q: Where do the locals hang out and buy their bait and supplies?

A: One of the most popular tackle shops is Roy’s Bait and Tackle, with its vast inventory. It has equipment for inshore, offshore, and everything in between. We have multiple excellent marinas and bait shops. I prefer Fisherman’s Bait and Seafood Market for bait, and launch out of Marker 37 Marina.