Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp: Open Or Closed?

Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp is the only developed boat ramp in the park, located along the shores of the Laguna Madre. The site is often busy in the early mornings, especially on weekends and holidays, as anglers launch their boats for a day of fishing. The boat ramp is also a popular spot for boaters to access the Laguna Madre, with windsurfing, kayaking, birding, and fishing being some of the activities offered.

Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp is open for anglers and boaters

The Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp, located along the shores of the Laguna Madre, is currently open for anglers and boaters. It is the only developed boat ramp in the park. The site is busiest in the early mornings, especially during weekends and holidays, as anglers launch their boats for a day of fishing on the Laguna Madre and further south into Baffin Bay.

Facilities

The boat ramp consists of a paved boat ramp and a small adjacent dock, a gravel launch area for paddle crafts, and a small pier with fish-cleaning tables. Accessible vault toilets are located next to the parking lot. There is a large parking lot with designated spots for vehicles with trailers and single vehicles without trailers, including accessible parking spaces. A single-day boat ramp pass costs $5 per vehicle, and an annual pass costs $30 per vehicle.

Alternative Options

For those looking to launch hand-paddled watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards, this can be done at the Day Use Area within the park for free. Alternatively, you can launch from Yarborough Pass, although this requires a 15-mile drive down South Beach and a 4-Wheel-Drive vehicle to cross to Laguna Madre.

Rules and Regulations

Please note that parking at the Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp requires an additional fee on top of the park entrance fee. This fee is $5 per day or $30 for an annual pass. Vehicles must be parked in the designated spots for their vehicle type, and violators may be cited or towed.

It's the only developed boat ramp in the park

The Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp, located along the shores of the Laguna Madre, is the only developed boat ramp in the park. The site is often busy in the early mornings, especially during weekends and holidays, as anglers launch their boats for fishing on the Laguna Madre and further into Baffin Bay. The boat ramp has a paved boat ramp and a small adjacent dock, a gravel launch area for paddle crafts, and a small pier with fish-cleaning tables.

The Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp is the only place within the Padre Island National Seashore to launch a motorized boat. There are two ramps, and each can accommodate three boats at a time. The ramp also has a large parking lot with designated spots for vehicles with trailers, single vehicles without trailers, and accessible parking for vehicles with and without trailers.

The Bird Island Basin Day-use Area, located a 5-minute drive from the boat ramp, serves as a central hub for activities on the Laguna Madre. It is popular with birdwatchers, anglers, campers, and windsurfers. While the Day-use Area is a safer option for launching hand-paddled watercraft, the boat ramp does not charge a fee for this purpose.

The Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp is a popular spot for boaters to access the Laguna Madre, a destination known for its windsurfing, kayaking, birding, and fishing opportunities. Boaters should be aware of the shallow waters in the area, with depths as low as one foot, to avoid damaging the seagrass with their propellers.

There is a fee to use the boat ramp for launching motorboats

The Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp is located along the shores of the Laguna Madre in Texas. It is the only developed boat ramp in the park and is a popular spot for boaters to access the Laguna Madre. The area is also one of the most popular locations in the country for windsurfing, and offers opportunities for kayaking, birding, and fishing.

The boat ramp is particularly busy in the early mornings, especially on weekends and holidays, as anglers launch their boats for a day of fishing on the Laguna Madre and further south into Baffin Bay. The site accommodates both paddle crafts and motorboats, with a paved boat ramp and small adjacent dock, as well as a gravel launch area for paddle crafts and a small pier with fish-cleaning tables.

While there is no charge for launching hand-paddled watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, anywhere within the park, there is a fee to use the boat ramp for launching motorboats. This fee is in addition to the park entrance fee and is required for boat launching. At the time of writing, the fee is $5 per day or $30 for an annual pass. These passes can be purchased in person at the park entrance station, visitor centre, or online at Recreation.gov.

It is important to note that parking at the boat ramp is limited, with designated spots for different types of vehicles. Violators of the parking rules may be cited or towed. If the parking lot fills up, boaters can unload their boats and then park their vehicles at the Malaquite Visitor Center, located 4.3 miles away.

The area is popular for windsurfing, kayaking, birding, and fishing

Bird Island Basin is a popular spot for various watersports and outdoor activities. The area is well-known for windsurfing, with Worldwinds Windsurfing providing commercial visitor services such as windsurfing lessons and gear rentals. The consistent winds and sheltered waters of the Laguna Madre make it an ideal location for beginners and experienced windsurfers alike.

Kayaking is another popular activity at Bird Island Basin. The calm and shallow waters provide a perfect environment for paddlers of all skill levels. The Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp offers a dedicated gravel launch area for paddle crafts, making it convenient for kayakers to get out on the water.

Birding, or birdwatching, is a favourite pastime for many visitors to the Basin. The tidal mudflats near the day-use area attract a variety of shorebirds, including migratory species that use the area as a resting point on their journeys further south. Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting different bird species and admiring the beauty of their wintering grounds.

Fishing is a significant draw to the area, with anglers launching their boats from the Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp to access the rich fishing grounds of the Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay. The site is particularly busy in the early mornings and on weekends as fishermen and -women head out for a day of casting their lines. The boat ramp's small pier with fish-cleaning tables makes it a convenient spot for anglers to prepare their catch.

There is a large parking lot with designated spots for vehicles with trailers

The Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp is located along the shores of the Laguna Madre. It is the only developed boat ramp in the park. The site is busy in the early mornings, especially on weekends and holidays, as anglers launch their boats for a day of fishing. The boat ramp consists of a paved boat ramp and small adjacent dock, a gravel launch area for paddle crafts, and a small pier with fish-cleaning tables.

The large parking lot is a convenient feature of the Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp, providing ample space for vehicles with trailers to park their cars and unload their boats. The designated spots for vehicles with trailers make it easy for boaters to manoeuvre and find a suitable parking space. The parking lot is well-organised and efficiently designed to accommodate the high volume of visitors, especially during busy periods such as early mornings, weekends, and holidays.

In addition to the designated spots for vehicles with trailers, the parking lot also offers accessible parking options. There are accessible parking spaces for both vehicles with trailers and single vehicles without trailers, ensuring that all visitors have equal access to the boat ramp facilities. The parking lot is located adjacent to the boat ramp, providing easy access for boaters to unload their equipment and launch their boats.

The Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp also provides a day-use area located a 5-minute drive away from the boat ramp. This area offers a small picnic area with picnic tables and shade structures, as well as trash dumpsters and vault toilets. Boaters using paddle craft can launch directly from the shoreline in the day-use area, while those with motorboats need to use the designated boat ramp.

Frequently asked questions