Discover Aransas Bay: Exclusive Morning Birding and Whooping Crane Photography Tour
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; ability to sit or stand on a boat for a few hours is required.
Overview
Experience an exclusive morning tour on Aransas Bay aboard the Lady Lori, focusing on photographing rare Whooping Cranes and diverse birdlife. This private charter offers unmatched access to shallow coastal waters around Rockport, Texas, for a truly immersive wildlife encounter.
Morning Private Photography/Whooping Crane/Birding Charter on board the Lady Lori
Mornings are awesome on the water
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Experience the beauty of nature on a personalized boat tour through Aransas Bay and the Intercoastal Waterway. With a focus on birdwatching, including the rare Whooping Cranes, explore shallow areas inaccessible to larger vessels. Enjoy a flexible schedule and witness the vibrant wildlife during the active nesting season.
Mornings are awesome on the water
About
Our tours are designed to accommodate your individual needs. The trip will last four to six hours depending on how long you want to stay out. You won't be on the boats schedule you will be on your schedule.
The shallow draft of our boat allows us to get into areas that larger boats are not able to. This also allows us to get in close to the birds. We will also be able to tour some of the back lakes and bays that are much to shallow for large boats.
Your tour will start at the Sea Gun Marina then navigate into Aransas Bay and pass the Goose Island State Park. We will then travel along the South shoreline of the Aransas Wildlife Refuge to the Intercoastal Waterway. Once in the Intercoastal we will enter the main body of the Refuge. There are many opportunities to photograph Whooping Cranes as well as shore birds along the intercoastal. Your tour will take you North on the Intercoastal along the Refuge and into San Antonio Bay to the North end of the Refuge.
This is the turning point of the tour. We won't simply turn and take you home from there. We will continue to look for birding opportunities. We can enter San Antonio, Ayres and Mesquite bays to check out the lakes and reefs for feeding birds. We will the return home through Carlos Bay where we will check out reefs and some small islands. In San Antonio Bay and Carlos Bay, there are the Rookery Islands. On these islands there are many species building nest, laying eggs, and hatching chicks. These Rookeries are only active in the Spring and Early Summer.
Maximum of 6 people.
Adventure Tips
Bring binoculars and a telephoto lens
Maximize your birding and photography experience by equipping yourself with quality optics to capture distant or shy wildlife.
Dress in layers for early morning chill
Mornings on the water can be cool; layers ensure comfort as temperatures rise with the sun.
Protect yourself from the sun
Use sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses as the early light can still be intense near open water.
Stay quiet during wildlife spotting
Minimize noise to avoid disturbing nesting birds and increase your chance of sightings.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Whooping Cranes
- Great Blue Herons
History
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to protect the endangered Whooping Crane population, critical to this region's biodiversity.
Conservation
The tour promotes wildlife preservation by following strict guidelines that minimize disturbance to nesting birds and fragile coastal ecosystems.
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Adventure Hotspots in Rockport
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Camera with telephoto lens
Essential to capture detailed images of distant birds, especially Whooping Cranes.
Binoculars
Helpful for spotting birds before photographing them.
Light jacket or windbreaker
Spring mornings can be cool; a windbreaker protects against the coastal breeze.
spring specific
Sun protection kit (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Protects your skin and eyes during bright summer mornings on the water.
summer specific