The morning after arriving in Rockport, TX, we got in our car and headed toward the water. We found Lighthouse Trails in Red Fish Bay while researching floats online. Since there were several trails and launches, we wanted to explore a few before we got on the water.
Rockport Pier
Being in no hurry, we took a scenic route, stopping along the way. Our first stop was Rockport Pier, only 6 miles from the RV resort. We were like a couple of kids, walking quickly towards the water and onto the dock.
We strolled down the pier, taking pictures and watching seagulls swoop around us, hoping for a snack.
Redfish Causeway
Back in the car, we continued south, soon reaching the Redfish Causeway. We stopped several times along the way to Lighthouse Trail Park.
The pier in the picture below was one of several we saw that Hurricane Harvey destroyed in 2017. There has been some rebuilding in the area, but much work is still needed.
We turned off the causeway onto a sand-covered road and slowly drove along the beach. Pulling off into a parking spot, we explored the area.
Soon, we found the launch point! The kayak trails are across the Aransas Channel, on the other side of the boat.
Rockport-Fulton Area
Leaving the beach, we headed back towards Fulton. We had a few errands and wanted to eat lunch. Based on a recommendation we received at the hardware store in Fulton, we ate at a local favorite, Old Fulton Seafood Cafe and Deli. After an enjoyable lunch, we took the N. Fulton Beach Road north to Rockport. However, instead of returning to the RV resort, we continued north across the Lyndon B. Johnson Causeway. We were headed to Goose Island State Park.
The Big Tree
Hurricane Harvey had struck Goose Island State Park. The ranger explained they had not yet received funding for repairs, and all of the areas were not open. We were allowed to drive through the campground but could not get out of our vehicle. Leaving the campground, we continued through the park, following directions to The Big Tree.
The Big Tree, one of the most massive live oaks in the nation, is 44 feet high, with a crown spread of 89 feet. The information sign indicates it is a thousand years old!
Checking Other Trails
Leaving Goose Island Park, we continued to drive around the area, checking a few more of the places we found online to kayak. One of those places was Rattlesnake Point. The launch was near The Ruddy Lodge off Rattlesnake Point Road. It was sad to see another casualty of Hurricane Harvey.
Kayaking the Redfish Loop
Based on our day of exploring and feedback on the trails, we decided to float the Red Fish Loop of the Lighthouse Lake Trail to the Aransas Pass Lydia Ann Lighthouse near Lydia Ann Channel. A couple of days later, we packed our kayak into the back of the Subaru and headed to the launch.
After inflating the kayak, we made our way across the Aransas Channel. Because pleasure boats use this channel, crossing to the trails is a bit like crossing a street. Paddling quickly, we were soon across and navigating into the maze of head-high black mangroves.
Paddling through the Maze
We downloaded the trail map to our phones and tried to follow it. However, we weren’t able to find all the markers. We didn’t mind because it was a beautiful day, and we paddled past a variety of waterfowl.
The Lydia Ann Lighthouse
When we saw the lighthouse in the distance, we headed in that direction. After a few dead ends and adjustments to our course, we reached it. Paddling up to the dock, we tied off the kayak and got out to stretch our legs and enjoy a snack in the shade.
The lighthouse was built in the 1850s, partially destroyed in 1862 during the Civil War, and returned to service again in 1867. It was damaged by hurricanes twice in the early 1900s. We were hoping to explore the area, but it was undergoing renovation and was not accessible.
The Journey Back
Looking at the map, we decided to paddle into the nearby Lydia Ann Channel instead of back the way we came. We could take it south into the Inner Basin, round the corner of Harbor Island, and be back in the Aransas Channel. This would provide a straight route to the launch. We would paddle along the shoreline to stay away from the boats cruising the channel.
Our “shortcut” route
As we paddled towards the opening of the channel, the water was no longer as smooth as the inner trails. However, it wasn’t bad, and we stayed our course, entering the channel.
The Lydia Ann Channel was reasonably easy to navigate when we first entered from the kayak trail. But, as we paddled closer to the inner basin, the kayak became harder to control. The large boats motoring down the channel created more waves than we expected. At one point, we took on so much water that we pulled out along the shore to dump it and rethink our decision.
After resting a bit, we continued our route around the island shoreline and back into the Aransas Channel. The water was soon calmer, and we were glad to be there. Not too long after entering Aransas Channel, we saw dolphins! It was so exciting to watch them swim past us. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a photo to share.
By the time we returned to the launch, deflated, and packed up the kayak, we were exhausted. But it felt good, and we were ready to get back to our RV and relax. If you are looking for a place to kayak in the Port Aransas area, we recommend you explore the Lighthouse Lake area.
We visited the U.S.S. Lexington while staying in the Rockport area. It’s a historic battleship with an entire city inside.