Port Aransas is one of the best spots to be found to kayak in the huge expanse of Texas as it offers the visitor everything from a dawdle along the mangrove banks to an energy-packed fishing trip to some of the best stocked waters around.
Find out the size of your group and the level of expertise of your party. There are many guided tours available in the port and these are given levels of expertise from beginner to difficult. Choose the appropriate level for your least able member. The size of your group is also important as some tours require a minimum of 5 or 6 people and offer discounts as the number increases.
Contact one of the kayak companies that operate in Port Aransas (see Resources). Of the 2 main companies, Portakayak will let you rent kayaks individually for half or full days and Wetheads offers a wider range of guided tours around the area and into Corpus Christi.
Ask what you need to bring with you. For any kayak experience, quick dry or waterproof clothes and shoes are essential especially in the colder seasons. Additional things to bring include a packed lunch for longer excursions and a cell phone is important if you are without a guide to call for help or directions.
Get a map of the tides and times and routes from one of the kayak companies or the local tourist information. This is less important if you are on a guided tour but if you are self-guiding or using your own equipment, you need to know the safe zones and times you can pass through to the lakes behind the lighthouse.
