10 Fun Outdoor Adventures to Experience in the Coastal Bend
There is seemingly no end to outdoor activities in the Coastal Bend – so many, in fact, that you don’t have to just dip your toe into the offerings. Instead, dive right in and enjoy the natural beauty found throughout the region with these 10 adventures:
In This Article
1. Windsurfing at Bird Island Basin
Combine steady breezes, warm water and shallow depths, and you have the optimal conditions for windsurfing. That is exactly the combination available at Bird Island Basin, located along Laguna Madre within the Padre Island National Seashore. As one of the top windsurfing spots in the nation, Bird Island Basin attracts expert-level sailboarders. But the environment also makes it an ideal location for newcomers to the sport.
2. Kiteboarding at Oso Bay
If you want to literally elevate your sense of adventure, then head to Oso Bay to enjoy some of the premier kiteboarding in the region. The area has the consistently strong winds needed for quality kiteboarding. But if you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, it’s worth a visit just to watch.
3. GlowRow Tours
Light up the night with a GlowRow excursion, in which transparent kayaks and illuminated paddles are utilized to create a different type of scenic attraction. Paddlers can devise a glow to suit their mood by choosing from seven different color combinations. The Corpus Christi Bay tour offers beautiful views of the city skyline, while the Port Aransas tour provides a lighthouse highlight.
4. Surfing at J.P. Luby Surf Park
It’s officially called North Packery Channel Beach, but for surfers it is affectionately known as the J.P. Luby Surf Park. Located next to Mustang Island State Park, J.P. Luby is a water sports wonderland for riding personal watercraft, wakeboarding, kiteboarding and surfing. The waves usually don’t top 3 feet, making it a good spot for novice surfers, though swells occasionally can reach 5 feet under certain conditions.
5. Water Basketball at Bill Witt Aquatic Center
This $12.2 million complex opened in 2025, making it the first new aquatic facility built in Corpus Christi in more than 50 years. The center features a 10-lane lap pool as well as a recreational pool with zero-depth entry. There also are two large slides, spray features and shaded seating areas. For those who want a competitive workout, the recreational pool offers a designated area for water basketball.
6. Kayaking the Water Trails
With so much easily accessible water in the area, kayaking is a natural favorite. The Lighthouse Lakes Trail, which passes the Lydia Ann Lighthouse on North Harbor Island, was the first kayak trail in Texas. It consists of a series of four loops ranging in length from 1.25 miles to 6.8 miles. Experienced kayakers might prefer the longer Mustang Island Trail, with a route that runs for 8.5 miles.
7. Attending a Sea Turtle Release
Sea turtles love to nest on the beaches throughout the Coastal Bend region. During this time, volunteers can assist National Park Service biologists and other organizations in examining nesting turtles and ensuring their safe return to the water, along with the tiny newborns.
8. Fishing at Bob Hall Pier
The shallow bays and narrow barrier islands in the Coastal Bend region create fertile ground (or, rather, water) for fishing. There are numerous places to cast a line along Padre Island’s more than 130 miles of coastline, including the recently reopened Bob Hall Pier. Located within Padre Balli Park, the 1,253-foot-long pier provides year-round angling opportunities for redfish, spotted seatrout, black drum and the occasional shark.
9. Conquer the Coast Bike Ride over Harbor Bridge
Since 2004, hundreds of cyclists have taken part in the annual Conquer the Coast Bike Ride each September. While the ride has always provided the opportunity to soak in the area’s spectacular scenery, a bonus vista was added in 2025 as participants pedaled their way over the new Harbor Bridge. At 538-feet high, the bridge is the tallest structure south of San Antonio.
10. Sunset at Cove Park
One of the most relaxing ways to conclude a full day of outdoor activity in the Coastal Bend region is to head to Cove Park in Ingleside and watch the sunset. In addition to having such amenities as boat ramps, picnic areas and a hiking/biking trail, the 5-acre park faces west toward Corpus Christi Bay, providing a perfect perch to view the sun sinking beneath the horizon.