City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Corpus Christi, Texas
Located south of San Antonio and just across the causeway from Padre and Mustang Islands, Corpus Christi sits on a beautiful slice of land along the Gulf of Mexico. Corpus Christi Bay and Nueces Bay add to the water-based activities and private boat dock rentals that can be found in this south Texas destination.
Known as the Texas Riviera, as well as the Sparkling City by the Sea, Corpus Christi welcomes boaters and travelers with a wide variety of outdoor activities, family-friendly attractions and historic sites. The region’s high wind speeds make it a prime destination for wind surfing, kite boarding and sailing. The area has even hosted the Windsurfing World Championships.
Whether you’re visiting Corpus Christi for a long weekend or hanging out for an extended time at a private boat slip for rent, you’re sure to find something for everyone in your group.
Padre Island National Seashore
Photo: Padre Island National Seashore Facebook
Padre Island National Seashore, located on North Padre Island, features 66 miles of beaches, dunes, tidal flats and prairie habitats. Along with camping, fishing, swimming and canoeing, you’ll find more than 300 bird species and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Spend time paddling a kayak along Laguna Madre, which is about three feet deep and one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. Visitor Center & Pavilion has exhibits on the history, plants and animals found in the region. There’s also a deck, restrooms, showers, picnic areas and a boat ramp, which comes in handy if you’re trailering a boat from a private boat lift rental.
Texas State Aquarium
Photo: Texas State Aquarium Facebook
Texas State Aquarium sits right on the harbor of Corpus Christi Bay, making it a convenient spot to visit from a boat dock for rent. Visit coral reef, jungle and Caribbean Sea habitats and learn about conservation initiatives while checking out exhibits on jelly fish, bottlenose dolphins, stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, otters and tropical fish. There are also flower gardens, birds of prey, parrots and eagles to occupy your time for a few hours.
South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
Photo: South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center Facebook
The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is a 182-acre venue along Oso Creek. There are 11 floral exhibits and gardens, a 2600-square-foot Butterfly House and an 1800-square-foot orchid conservatory. Other floral features include a plumeria garden, a rose garden, a rose pavilion, a hummingbird garden and a desert Arid Garden. Walk along the wetlands boardwalk or explore unique garden design, wildlife sculptures and endangered plants. The little ones can check out the reptiles and exotic parrots or work off some energy at the kids’ play area. Leashed dogs are also welcome.
USS Lexington
Photo: USS Lexington Facebook
The USS Lexington, nicknamed the Blue Ghost, is an Essex-class WWII aircraft carrier. Now a naval aviation museum, it features exhibits on Pearl Harbor, a 3-D action theater, a flight simulator, an escape room and an interactive gaming experience where you can navigate your own fleet of warships. Take a guided or self-guided tour of the ship’s 11 decks, including the flight deck, foc’sle (forecastle), the power plant and its turbine engines, the hangar deck and crew members’ living areas. If the ship looks familiar, it was the filming site for Michael Bay’s 2001 movie Pearl Harbor (which starred Ben Affleck, Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Garner).
We hope you’ve found a few things to add to your itinerary the next time you’re hanging out at a boat slip for rent in Corpus Christi. Let us know your favorites!
