Have a picnic at one of several covered picnic ramadas with barbecue grills along the grassy lawn on King Fisher Beach in Port O'Connor. Enjoy a rousing game of beach volleyball, fish from the pier or take the kids for a morning walk along the beach to collect sea shells left by the tide during the night. Flush restrooms are available at the beach, as well as outdoor showers where you can rinse the salt and sand off your skin.
Head to Matagorda Island, home to a 56,000-acre wildlife refuge on a barrier island just offshore. The island stretches 38 miles long and 4 miles wide, allowing you to swim, collect sea shells or cast a line for red fish, mackerel, tarpon and sea trout. On the north side of the island, the secluded Sunday Beach sets the stage for romance. Take a boat ride to the beach and relax with a view of Matagorda Lighthouse. Camping is permitted at the beach.
Ten miles northwest of Port O'Connor, Magnolia Beach has 8 miles of sandy beach dotted with covered picnic tables and charcoal grills, providing ideal places for a lazy day at the beach. You won't have to worry about walking your gear over the hot sand, as you are allowed to drive along the beach. After your meal, burn off some energy at the sand volleyball court or let the kids romp on the playground. The beach is a favorite area for birdwatching as it is surrounded by agricultural fields, bayous and marshes that draw birds as diverse as sandhill cranes, black-bellied whistling ducks and eastern kingbirds.
Immediately west of Magnolia Beach, Alamo Beach lies just 2 miles southeast of the town of Port Lavaca. The area has been a tourist destination since about 1915 when residents built a pavilion for tourist recreation. The beach is tucked back in Lavaca Bay sheltered from harsh currents in the Gulf, offering an ideal area to set out from the beach on a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. Enjoy modern amenities at this historic beach such as restrooms and showers to wash off sand, and shops within walking distance.
