Watersports, birding, and fishing are the most popular activities. Certain parts of this area lend themselves to different kinds of watersports. Birding is good throughout; it just depends on what species you're looking for. Here is a rundown of activities and where best to do them.

Dolphin Tours -- Dolphins are plentiful in these waters. These tours are offered in both Rockport and Port Aransas.

Fishing/Boating -- For deep-sea fishing, you're better off going to Port Aransas, which is on Mustang Island facing the open water. You'll save fuel costs that way. For bay fishing, you can find guides and charter boats in Corpus, Rockport, or Port Aransas. Shoreline fishing is popular in these parts, with numerous piers, jetties, and beaches, depending on your tastes. In Corpus a charter boat usually costs from $300 to $400 for a full-day trip for one or two people. Available guides include Don Hand (tel. 361/993-2024), Salty Aggie Guide Service (tel. 800/322-3346 or 361/991-6045), and Ingram's Guide Service (tel. 800/619-0702). For party boats and general boat trips, contact Captain Clark's Flagship (tel. 361/884-1693), in downtown Corpus on People's Street. Regular cruises are seasonal.

Sailing -- Corpus has a wonderful large bay for sailing, and every Wednesday afternoon there's a friendly sailboat race in the bay by downtown. Corpus has a reputation for having lots of good sailing weather. For rentals, lessons, or cruises contact the Corpus Christi Sailing Center (tel. 361/881-8503). It's located in the downtown marina at 200 S. Shoreline.

Sea Kayaking -- This is becoming wildly popular in the area, and is being combined with fishing or nature photography. Most of the interesting sites are near Rockport -- see the next section in this chapter.

Surfing -- Port Aransas is the surfing capital of this area. It's described later in this chapter.

Windsurfing -- Corpus's reputation for good breezes also draws a lot of windsurfers. Annual windsurfing regattas are held here. An ideal place to windsurf or take lessons is at Bird Basin in the Padre Island National Seashore, which is described later in this chapter. You'll find a lot of outfits in Corpus that will rent or give lessons; one is Wind and Wave Watersports at 10721 S.P.I.D. (tel. 361/937-9283).

Whooping Crane Tours -- The world-famous whooping cranes inhabit the Aransas National Wildlife Preserve from mid-November to mid-April. The best place to buy a ticket on a tour boat is Rockport, which lies closest to the preserve. You can also rent kayaks there and paddle around the shore of the preserve, but under no circumstances are you allowed to set foot on land. For more info, see the Rockport section.

Texas's Most Deserted Beach -- Heading down the coast towards Corpus Christi, you come to Matagorda Bay. This is one of the least developed areas of the coast, with lots of small fishing towns and farming communities. This region has its charm, and life here is really laid-back. Protecting the coast is Matagorda Island, a 38-mile-long strip of land covering almost 44,000 acres. It's mostly federal and state land set aside as a wildlife refuge. Aside from a small state park with camping areas and a historic lighthouse, there is little development. But there are plenty of beaches, pristine and deserted, on which you will see no motorized vehicles; they are prohibited. You can swim, hike, ride your bike, if you brought one, do some bird-watching (over 300 species of birds have been spotted here, including the whooping crane), or look for shells. Fishing is another popular activity. Many locals come here to fish in the surf.

But if you decide to visit the island, you'll have to bring your own water and food; none can be purchased on the island. Primitive campsites at the state park cost $6 per night (up to four people). An outdoor cold-water rinse is available near the boat docks. The state used to operate a passenger ferry (tel. 361/983-2215) to the island from the town of Port O'Connor, but for the past couple of years, it's been inoperative. You might want to call and see if it's running again. Another option is to hire a boat at Port O'Connor. For more information contact Matagorda Island State Park and Wildlife Management Area (tel. 979/244-6804).