E Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA 
167 miles from Houston, TX
The beach on San Jose Island is a very peaceful and secluded location only 10 minutes away from Port Aransas (you need to take a ferry), featuring no businesses or facilities, even no trash cans – a totally wild stretch of beach where you’ll be on your own and away from civilization.
However, there’s a nice jetty, which is popular with fishermen and is good for strolling and watching the local wildlife. Since there are no places to replenish your supplies on the island you should take everything you may need with you, including food, drinks, umbrellas for some shade, sunscreen, and good insect repellent. Overall, the beach is desolate and you’re likely to find a private spot even on holidays and weekends.
Accessing the Island
The only way to get to San Jose Island is to go by one of the scheduled ferries from the Fisherman’s Wharf in Port Aransas. The tickets are sold inside the store and cost $15 per person. Apart from the tickets, the store offers nothing more than candy, canned drinks, and ice, so think about your supplies in advance.
The first boat leaves at 6:30 a. m. and they keep going every hour until noon and then – every two hours. The first departure from the island is at 10:30 a. m. and the last one is at 6 p. m., so you’d better watch the time if you don’t want to stay there overnight. The ferry trip takes about 10 minutes.
No Businesses Or Facilities
Bring everything you may need with you. San Jose Island is a non-commercialized and, in many aspects, an uncared-for area, so don’t expect to find any restrooms, or rinse showers, or any kind of stores here. There aren’t even trash cans and, unfortunately, they don’t clean up the island regularly and you’re likely to see a lot of trash washed up from the Gulf, especially after storms.
Enjoying The Solitude
Beyond any doubt, so very calm and tranquil San Jose Island is a place of choice if you’re looking for privacy and tranquility in natural surroundings. It’s a great place for taking a stroll along the desolate seashore, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze and beautiful views. If you’re an early bird, take the first ferry to arrive in the pre-dawn hours and watch a spectacular sunrise on the island.
Jetty Fishing And Other Activities
Perhaps, the most frequent visitors on San Jose Island are fishermen who tend to flock in the jetty area. The water is amazingly clear, without too many jellyfish or debris, and quite shallow, providing proper conditions for safe and enjoyable swimming.
Snorkeling is also an option. Sea turtles are frequent visitors here. Once this island was given a nickname “Seashell Island” and many people keep coming here for beachcombing – you may also try it, although lately, the visitors have repeatedly complained of a lack of interesting collectibles in the area.
Driving Time
- 45 minutes from Corpus Christi, TX
- 1 hour 55 minutes from Victoria, TX
- 2 hours 40 minutes from San Antonio, TX
Hotels and rentals
If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:
- Nearby rentals from VRBO.
- Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.
Beaches nearby
Additionally, there's a number of beaches near San Jose Island Beach which you can visit:
- IB Magee Beach Park (1 mile)
- Port Aransas Beach (1 mile)
- On the Beach RV Park (3 miles)
- Rockport Beach (13 miles)
- Mustang Island State Park Beach (14 miles)
Port Aransas, 78373, United States
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1 mi away