Coastal Sisters Charming Rentals - Surfside Beach TX
Contact: Sharon 713-204-8054 or Darlene 832-326-9788
Ten Amazing Things to Do in Surfside
1. Watch the Dolphins Play
There have been six distinct pods of Dolphins identified that reside in the waters surrounding Surfside. "Dolphin Point" is at the Northeastern end of the island where the Freeport Channel meets the Intracoastal Canal. From Fort Velasco St. take Thunder Rd. North past the Coast Guard Station.They are usually seen swimming in the wake of the large ships but the best time is from 5 PM to Sunset when they are all gathered there to play and feed with their babies. Take your camera but you have to be quick to snap a shot of them surfacing.
2. Ride the Waves
Admit it, you always wanted to learn how to surf. Well, the waves at Surfside are some of the best on the Texas coast. There are surfable waves 200 days a year, and most of the time the waves are the perfect size and form for learning. Not quite ready to Surf?, try a boogie board. In one afternoon, you'll be catching waves. There are several places to rent boards.
3. Spot a Roseate Spoonbill
Take a bike ride to the marshland on Surfside's Intracoastal shoreline and spot one of these rare roseate spoonbills. Roseate spoonbills capture the pink glow of sunrise in their wings in flight. Those same rosy feathers proved a near death sentence when demand for feather hats decimated spoonbills, great egrets and other fine-feathered fowl until plume hunting ended before World War I.
Surfside's Intracoastal Shoreline is the southern boundary of the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuse. The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is the key location on the Texas Gulf Coast which drew one of the highest Audubon Christmas bird counts in the nation - more than 200 species. In winter, more than 100,000 snow geese, Canadian geese, pintail, northern shoveler, teal, gadwall, American wigeon and mottled ducks fill the plentiful ponds and sloughs to capacity. Sandhill cranes join in too. In summer, birds that nest on the refuge include ten species of herons and egrets, white ibis, roseate spoonbill, mottled duck, white-tailed kite, clapper rail, horned lark, seaside sparrow, black skimmer, and scissor-tailed flycatcher.
4. Walk in the footsteps of Stephen F. Austin
Surfside is the home of the famous Fort Velasco, known as the cradle of Texas. The actual Fort was located near the current City Hall. It was at this port that Stephen F Austin and his colonists first arrived in Texas in 1821. Eleven years later, in 1832 The first battle of Texas’ war for independence was fought here. Historical Markers state:
Here was fought a battle-- the first collision in arms between Texas colonists and the Mexican military-- a conflict preliminary to the Texas War for Independence. On June 26, 1832, when Texans under John Austin and Henry Smith came down river with cannon for use against Mexican forces at Anahuac, they ran against the resistance of Lt. Col. Domingo de Ugartechea. As commander of Mexican forces at Velasco, Ugartechea refused passage through the mouth of the Brazos River to the vessel bearing the cannon to Anahuac. Some 112 Texans attacked the port at midnight, and after 9 hours under the fire of Texas rifles and cannon, the Mexican garrison was forced to surrender. The Battle of Velasco, brought on by a customs quarrel at Anahuac, was unknowingly fought after the dispute at Anahuac had been peaceably settled. After the victory at San Jacinto 4 years later, President David G. Burnet moved the capital of the Republic of Texas temporarily to Velasco. Here the Treaty of Velasco, ending hostilities between Texas and Mexico, was signed on May 14, 1836.
5. Go Fishing
The Gulf Coast at Surfside is known for its excellent bay and offshore fishing. Offshore the depth of the water increases dramatically. This deep water habitat attracts many varieties of fish such as red snapper, ling, bonito, and kingfish. Natural bottom structure, coral reefs, and offshore oil platforms provide a perfect underwater world for fish to thrive. Freeport (15 min. from Surfside) is the headquarters for many charter and party boats of all sizes. Experienced captains make a day's fishing out where the big ones are an exciting and enjoyable activity. Inshore wadefishing, bank fishing, or fishing off the long jetty, allow anglers without a boat the chance to tie into flounder, redfish, or speckled trout. Just north lies Christmas Bay and San Luis Pass, offering bay boaters miles of prime shoreline and deeper channels to explore. Or launch from Surfside and head to the jetties or venture offshore. Numerous Bait and Tackle stores can supply live bait, lures, fishing equipment, and offer advice on where to catch fish. |
6. Catch some Beads
Come to the St. Patrick's Day parade in March and catch some beads. This annual event is a fun loving parade where residents decorate floats and throw candy and beads to cheering spectators along the parade route.
7 Go Beachcombing
"Shell Shocked" is what you will be after discovering the 600 known shell species found along our 27 miles of sandy beaches of Brazoria County. Surfside Beach is one of the few shell hunting hot spots in the area. You will be astonished at the scads of sea shells speckling Brazosport beaches.
While you're at it don't forget to go crabbing on a summer evening.
8 Photograph the Sunrise
The Gulf provides some of the most breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, with brillant colors that seem to change with the Gulf's mood.
9. Eat at Kitty's Purple Cow
Take a golf cart ride along the beach down to Kitty's Purple Cow and enjoy the best old fashioned hamburgers in the area. While you're at it say hello to Miss Kitty, a Surfside icon who has been serving up great food since 1962.
10. Read a Book and Get a Tan
Haven't had the time to read that book? Bring a chair and umbrella and sit on the Pedestrian Beach; let the kids play in the gentle waves and read a book. Do you know that there are several published authors and artists residing in Surfside? There is something about the amazing scenery and interesting people that inspires people to write and create.
