SHELL BAR ON SAN ANTONIO BAY
KAYAK EXPEDITION
We will be touring in a shallow saltwater estuary. Marine life is visible below your kayak. This area is a designated Wildlife Refuge area for Migrating Waterfowl. Including 4 pair of mated Whooping Cranes. Wonderful little shore birds, Black Necked Stilt, Willet, Curlew, Roseate Spoonbill, and the duck population during the winter is astounding, really thrilling viewing.
So here is how a 3 day 2 night expedition goes. We will launch pretty much rain or shine with safety in mind. Your kayak has been constructed by Tide Guide. We have single seat kayaks, and double seat kayaks, either one is very stable. The kayaks are very seaworthy and fairly comfortable for long paddles.
You will be in the kayak an hour at a time, we like to go ashore often to beach comb and bird watch and visit. Shell Bar is 5 miles from the marina which is not an uncomfortable paddle for a beginner. Shell bar lies on a point and is entirely covered in sea shell, quite clean and has a tidal pass on one side where dolphins congregate to feed. Scenery is very fine, it is a real wilderness feeling out here.
On the expedition is our support Umiak, the “Sea Cow”. It is a power boat so if we have young people accompanying their parents or grandparents accompanying their adult children, then who ever wants can ride aboard instead of paddling. Or you all can take turns paddling. With the Sea Cow in service a more than comfortable base camp can be brought to Shell Bar for our expedition.
Heavy winds are handled in the custom main lodge tent, it is quiet in the wind and is dry and is heated during winter. There is time for you to walk around the Island, part of the walk is on the shallow estuary side with extraordinary richness of sea life in these fish nursery’s and part of the hike is along the Bay front with a shell beach, I call these Bay’s giant tide pools, because they are so rich in sea life.
Capt. Major/Minor will do his best to provide one sea food meal from the bays. Perhaps a lunker Red Drum, or Sea Trout, or Oysters, or Shrimp…Crab….it’s all good. Meals are healthy with lots of fruit and vegetables.
Kayaking is very enjoyable. And slows us down to a nice pace, and you will learn a lot about the San Antonio Bay Estuary…
What to Bring:
Sleeping bag, clothes, flashlight, rain protection and small travel kit and a water bottle.
What we provide:
Your kayak will include, a mattress, life jacket, spray deck, water proof bags for your clothes and sleeping bag. Travel light, but adequate. You can bring a small pillow even. You will be sleeping on the ground, however it is clean white seashells and the mattress is comfortable, the tent is dry and bug proof and there is plenty of room. A separate bathroom is down the beach and it is adequate and sanitary.
Hello Fellow Paddlers,
I’ve been kayaking for years and this is the best way to spend time with nature. The kayaks you will use have been designed and hand-built by me to be stable, comfortable, and easy to handle in salt water, they have a simple rudder you’ll learn to operate with your feet.
The Matagorda Estuaries are protected by barrier island, are shallow and calm and rarely over 3 feet deep. After you are fitted into your kayak, your guides will ask you to be in charge and safe. You’ll have everything you need to be comfortable and save out in these islands. You are partaking on an adventure vacation. Pace yourself on this outing. We aren’t on a race or endurance test. No strained backs.
Tread lightly everyone. There are rare and wild creatures out there that we don’t want to spook.
Respectfully,
Capt. Major “Bill” Minor…at your service.
Tide Guide