Birding Adventures

The Skimmer was built especially for birders. Her shallow draft and high speed allows access to areas that other high capacity tour vessels cannot reach. She will carry up 46 passengers allowing large groups of serious birders to travel together. A large observation deck 10 feet above the water provides a great perspective for viewing and photography.

With more than 400 species documented, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and adjoining bays, estuaries, and islands offer an unsurpassed opportunity for any birding enthusiast. It is possible to sight 100 plus different species in a single day.

While birding this area is always an adventure, touring the back bays and estuaries aboard the Skimmer allows you to comfortably view more habitat and more species than by any other method.

We take you to remote areas that are seldom observed. Winding through the back bays estuaries, and islands you are sure to find many natural wonders you have never seen.

Birding Tours
Year-round Birding

Whooping Cranes and Coastal Birding (Nov – March): November brings the magnificent Whooping Cranes and other migratory species to our area. We will explore the shorelines and tidal lakes of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and continue on through the adjoining back bays. The early season provides excellent weather for comfortable viewing of the only wild migrating flock of Whooping Cranes in the world. It is not uncommon to see over 50 different species on any given trip.

Colonial Rookery Tours (April – June): Over 25 species of colonial waterbirds nest on the various islands in the area. From courting and mating in the early season to the hatching and raising of young in May and June, the birds on these tours provide an amazing birding opportunity. Spend a little time observing the beauty and behavior that only occurs in spring and early summer from a vantage point that only Skimmer can provide.

Coastal / Inland Packages (Nov – May): We have teamed up with two area ranches with over 11,000 acres of diverse habitat to allow our customers to truly experience the unparalleled birding opportunity that only the Texas Coastal Bend can offer. Spend a ½ day aboard Skimmer then join an experienced local guide for a ½ or full day of land-based birding. The Aransas Bay area and these private ranches provide the distinct habitats that together help make our area “America’s Birdiest,” according to the American Birding Association. More than 100 species are highly possible.

Dolphin & Bird Watching Sunset Tours (June – Oct): We depart Fulton Harbor in search of the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins that feed and play throughout Aransas Bay. Come experience these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. During this trip we will point out the many different species of birds that live and nest in the area. The Rookery islands provide outstanding birding opportunities until the middle of July. Towards the end of the evening we pull up in the protected waters along San Jose Island to view the sunset over the bay.

Birding aboard the Skimmer is more than a tour . . . it's an adventure!

Birding Trip Pricing and Schedule
(Pricing and schedule subject to change at any time)

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Jimmy Jackson Tony Peters Carrie Robertson John Rossi