University of Texas Marine Science Institute


The tiny school's education center has views of the busy shipping channel and exhibits about dunes, sand, fish and the myriad local bird species.

Due to damage sustained from Hurricane Harvey, the center is closed till March 2018. Call ahead before visiting.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. IB Magee Beach Park

0.36 MILES

The main access point to this county-run park is via Beach St (try to remember that). The park has rest rooms, the Horace Caldwell fishing pier and…

2. Port Aransas Museum

0.57 MILES

Volunteers make this small museum a delightful place to learn the history of Port A, from sand (when this was just a barrier island) to sea (when the…

3. San José Island

0.94 MILES

A privately owned island just across the ship channel from Port Aransas, known as St Jo to locals. This squat desert island, 2 miles at its widest but 21…

4. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center

1.72 MILES

A short boardwalk runs through the tall grass to an observation tower with wide-open views over the nature reserve and ship channel. Local guides run a…

5. Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture

2.13 MILES

Over 1200 acres of nature preserve look out over the bird-filled marshes and salt flats on the east side of town. The 2-mile-return boardwalk stroll leads…

6. Lighthouse Lakes Park

2.97 MILES

This otherwise unremarkable city park is the most accessible put-in and take-out point for the Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail.

7. Rockport Center for the Arts

12.91 MILES

Pop into this cheery center to see what's going on with Rockport's lively arts scene. As well as offering painting classes, it displays and sells locally…

8. Aquarium at Rockport Harbor

13.01 MILES

This tiny volunteer-run aquarium has crabs and other local sea critters, including most of the fish avidly sought by local fishers. In nice weather you'll…