Howdy adventurers! Today I want to share with you all a place that is near and dear to my heart. But I cannot give this place the appropriate justice it deserves without opening up a little about myself.
Since before I can remember, I have been a beach baby. My parents really integrated saltwater in to my life from the beginning. I have seen beaches all over the world. In my opinion, nothing beats the beaches in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts is pretty far from Texas, making it a place we seldom visit. But in the meantime, my family spends a lot of time in Port Aransas, Texas. I actually have learned most of what I know about deep sea fishing, crabbing, surfing, and sailing from all the summers I spent in Port Aransas growing up. Sure, the beaches may not have white sands or Great Whites, but I have made many great memories I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Other than spending enough time here to consider myself a local, Port Aransas holds a dear spot in my heart for another reason. In 2008, when I was 11 years old, I was diagnosed with a very severe case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I was in therapy about twice a week and immediately put on anti-depressants. The only time I ever felt truly at peace, was when I would go to the beach.
My mind never shuts up. I can’t really articulate what OCD feels like in any other way. It is absolutely debilitating, soul-crushing, and frustrating. I succumbed to using drugs as I got older to try and silence my mind, but no substance ever calmed me in way that the beach did. Today, now that I am eight months sober, and much happier, I can still say that being outside is nature’s most potent and effective anti-depressant. There is science to back this up too! This article here by Rebecca Beris explains how the beach helps keep our mental health in check (just in case you needed another reason to head to the coast for the weekend).
My favorite place in Port Aransas to take a time-out in life and simply focus on my surroundings is the Port A Jetty located in the IB Magee Beach Park. You can type it into any map application and you will get there with ease. However, keep in mind that you’ll want a vehicle suitable for driving on uneven, shifting sands with, and a beach permit.
The Port A Jetty, is an approximately one mile stretch of massive slabs of granite that divide the beach from the ship channel in Port Aransas. For more interesting history about the Jetty, I’ve linked an article here. There is always something interesting to see on the Jetty, whether it be a big fish being reeled in, a cargo-ship heading to port, or spotting some of the many species of wildlife in their natural habitat. It’s also a great place to get in a morning walk, or just sit and allow the salty air to blow away your stresses. No matter the weather, although I do not recommend going in a storm as the rocks are slick, the Jetty is scenic and peaceful.
Port Aransas was also one of the many places in Texas to endure devastating damage in Hurricane Harvey. The small town of Port-A has bounced back significantly, but is desperately trying to attract more tourists. This is good news for those of us who cannot afford a lavish beach holiday. Many of the hotels and other places to stay have drastically lowered their prices in hopes to attract more beach-goers.
So, if you do plan on visiting the Port Aransas Jetty, here are some things to keep in mind:
- You need a permit to park on the beach. They are usually sold at any gas station or souvenir shop for no more than $15.
- Wear appropriate shoes. The slabs of granite are very uneven, and at times, very slick.
- If you plan on fishing at the Jetty, and are over the age of 17, you need a permit. To buy one online, I’ve set up a link to the government website here.
- Dogs are allowed!
- The Jetty is open 24/7, you can go any time you want! Although it is not lit up at night, which can prove to be treacherous.
- There is no lifeguard.
Overall, I would rate this location a 4.8 out of 5 stars, I am definitely biased because of all of the amazing memories I have made here. Below I’ve inserted a small gallery of my best pictures of the Jetty from over the years. **I don’t often have my phone with me when I go to the Jetty as I like to soak in my surroundings, so I apologize for a lack of a larger gallery like in my other posts.
In between the mossy slabs of granite live hundreds of little hermit crabs. Photo by Libby Kissling. 
The uneven slabs of granite make for a fun obstacle course at sea. Photo by Libby Kissling. 
The sun doesn’t have to be shining to capture the beauty of the Jetty. Photo by Libby Kissling.
Please comment a hidden gem in Texas I should visit next!
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