Cruising Destinations
Our cruisers enjoy a variety of interesting destinations for both power and sail boats. Many are easily reached points on Galveston Bay. Beyond the Bay there are places up and down the Texas Gulf Coast that are worth the trip.
Some of these destinations are a regular part of our annual cruise program.
Here are some of the destinations of interest. NOTE these are only descriptions and are not intended to be a comprehensive cruising guide.
For destinations with phone number contacts, be sure to call ahead and verify they are open for transients and entrance channels are deep enough to enter with your boat.
GALVESTON BAY
Allen’s Landing – Downtown Houston on Buffalo Bayou. For power boats only due to bridge clearance limits. Special permission from US Coast Guard is required, but HYC sponsors a cruise there once a year.
Double Bayou - Double Bayou is a two-forked narrow estuary on the north eastern shore of Galveston Bay. The Marina is located on the west fork at Job Beason Park and has 18 slips. The marina is operated by Chambers County Precinct 2 Parks Department www.co.chambers.tx.us Phone: 409-267-2718. You may also explore the picturesque east fork, best done in dinghies and outboard boats. Caution is advised, as much of the channel is shallow.
Bayland Marina – This marina is located at the north end of the Fred Hartman Bridge and is only a short distance from HYC, making it suitable for a day trip or overnight stay. It has a restaurant, O’Neal’s Sports Bar and Grill. www.baylandmarina.com Harbormaster phone: 832-414-8413
Redfish Island - This man-made island is a short sail from HYC and is popular for day or overnight anchoring and for rafting up with friends. It is protected from ship channel wakes. Always approach the island from the north side, as there are shoals and shallows to the south.
Pier 6 (San Leon) – A very popular seafood restaurant with temporary dockage for restaurant patrons. Dockage and dredging in progress, call for info. www.pier6seafood.com. Phone: 281-339-1515.
TopWater Grill (San Leon) – Another very popular seafood restaurant with temporary dockage for restaurant patrons. Shallow at low water. www.topwatergrill.com. Phone: 281-339-1232.
Some of these destinations are a regular part of our annual cruise program.
Here are some of the destinations of interest. NOTE these are only descriptions and are not intended to be a comprehensive cruising guide.
For destinations with phone number contacts, be sure to call ahead and verify they are open for transients and entrance channels are deep enough to enter with your boat.
GALVESTON BAY
Allen’s Landing – Downtown Houston on Buffalo Bayou. For power boats only due to bridge clearance limits. Special permission from US Coast Guard is required, but HYC sponsors a cruise there once a year.
Double Bayou - Double Bayou is a two-forked narrow estuary on the north eastern shore of Galveston Bay. The Marina is located on the west fork at Job Beason Park and has 18 slips. The marina is operated by Chambers County Precinct 2 Parks Department www.co.chambers.tx.us Phone: 409-267-2718. You may also explore the picturesque east fork, best done in dinghies and outboard boats. Caution is advised, as much of the channel is shallow.
Bayland Marina – This marina is located at the north end of the Fred Hartman Bridge and is only a short distance from HYC, making it suitable for a day trip or overnight stay. It has a restaurant, O’Neal’s Sports Bar and Grill. www.baylandmarina.com Harbormaster phone: 832-414-8413
Redfish Island - This man-made island is a short sail from HYC and is popular for day or overnight anchoring and for rafting up with friends. It is protected from ship channel wakes. Always approach the island from the north side, as there are shoals and shallows to the south.
Pier 6 (San Leon) – A very popular seafood restaurant with temporary dockage for restaurant patrons. Dockage and dredging in progress, call for info. www.pier6seafood.com. Phone: 281-339-1515.
TopWater Grill (San Leon) – Another very popular seafood restaurant with temporary dockage for restaurant patrons. Shallow at low water. www.topwatergrill.com. Phone: 281-339-1232.
GALVESTON ISLAND
Offatts Bayou - A man-made inlet on the west side of Galveston Island just off the ICW. The best anchorage is on the south shore near the Galveston Boat Club. Use caution as parts of the area are shallow.
Pelican Rest Marina - On the north shore of Offatts Bayou and features a full-service marina and Number 13 Restaurant. www.pelicanrestmarina.com. Phone 409-744-2618.
Moody Gardens Marina - Part of the Moody Gardens Hotel complex and is the destination for two popular HYC cruises, one in the summer and one in
December. Located on the south shore of Offatts Bayou, it has 18 slips. Moody Gardens Hotel offers a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment and resort style amenities. www.moodygardens.com/stay/moody-gardens-marina. Slip reservations: 409-683-1299.
Galveston Yacht Basin – Full-service marina located in downtown Galveston right off the Galveston ship channel. Marina Bar & Grill restaurant. www.galvestonyachtbasin.com. Phone: 409-762-2966.
Offatts Bayou - A man-made inlet on the west side of Galveston Island just off the ICW. The best anchorage is on the south shore near the Galveston Boat Club. Use caution as parts of the area are shallow.
Pelican Rest Marina - On the north shore of Offatts Bayou and features a full-service marina and Number 13 Restaurant. www.pelicanrestmarina.com. Phone 409-744-2618.
Moody Gardens Marina - Part of the Moody Gardens Hotel complex and is the destination for two popular HYC cruises, one in the summer and one in
December. Located on the south shore of Offatts Bayou, it has 18 slips. Moody Gardens Hotel offers a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment and resort style amenities. www.moodygardens.com/stay/moody-gardens-marina. Slip reservations: 409-683-1299.
Galveston Yacht Basin – Full-service marina located in downtown Galveston right off the Galveston ship channel. Marina Bar & Grill restaurant. www.galvestonyachtbasin.com. Phone: 409-762-2966.
Other Destinations
ALONG THE TEXAS COAST (Westbound)
Harborwalk Marina – Hitchcock – Full-service marina with slips, pool, ship’s store and fuel. Grills provided for outdoor dining. http://harborwalk.com Phone 409-935-3737
Bridge Harbor Yacht Club (Freeport – North shore of the ICW) – Full-service marina with slips, pool, swim-up bar, Captain’s Table Restaurant. www.bridgeharbormarina.com. Phone: 979-233-2101. Harbormaster: 979-824-2776.
Surfside Marina (Freeport – South shore of the ICW) – Full-service marina with floating slips and fuel. Service 24/7. Close to restaurants. www.surfside-marina.com Phone 979-230-9400.
Freeport Municipal Marina (Freeport) – Full service marina. Walk to restaurants and shopping. www.freeportmarina.com. Phone: 979-236-1221.
Island Moorings Marina (Rockport) – Located on Mustang Island. Full -service marina. The Phoenix restaurant on site. www.islandmoorings.com. Phone: 361-749-4100.
Matagorda Harbor Marina (Matagorda) – Full-service marina on the ICW. www.matagordaharbor.com. Phone: 979-863-2103.
Serendipity Bay Resort Marina (Palacios) – This marina is located in the town of Palacios on Matagorda Bay, not far off the ICW. Water, electricity and pump-out but no fuel dock. www.serendipitybayresort.com. Phone: 361-972-5454.
Rockport Marina at Cove Harbor (Rockport) – Full-service marina on the ICW. www.coveharbormarina.com. Phone: 361-790-5438.
Port Aransas Municipal Marina (Port Aransas) – A full-service marina (except no fuel) just off the ICW in Port Aransas. www.cityofportaransas.org/departments/harbor-marina. Phone: 361-749-5429.
Corpus Christi Marina (Corpus Christi) – Located in downtown Corpus Christi, this is a large full-service marina. Adjacent to Corpus Christi Yacht Club. Restaurants within walking distance. www.cctexas,com/departments/corpus-christ-marina. Phone: 361-826-3980.
ALONG THE TEXAS COAST (Eastbound)
Stingaree Marina (Crystal Beach) – Located on east Galveston Bay in Crystal Beach. Two restaurants: Stingaree and Down Under Bar and Grill. Gas, ice, beer, bait. Call for bait, fuel and dockage availability. www.stingaree.com. Phone: 409-684-2731.
Port Arthur Yacht Club – The club leases a portion of the Pleasure Island Marina in Lake Sabine. Full -service marina. HYC members have reciprocal privileges at yacht club. Marina: www.pleasureislandtx.com. Marina phone: 409-982-4675.Yacht club: www.payc.us. Yacht club phone: 409-356-6253.
