THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • Fall 2018 87 TheCoastalBend.com Port Aransas No vacation to the Coastal Bend is complete without getting your time on the water, and unique adventures are abound include pirates, dolphins, jet skis and even sailing yachts. Woody’s Sports Center, located on the Port Aransas Marina, is home to a variety of waterborne adventures in addition to fishing, the most popular of which are its Dolphin Watch Nature Tours. The waters of the Coastal Bend are home to thousands of bottlenose dolphins that seem to find great fun traveling in the wakes of boats and ships. Dolphin Watch takes you up close to these magnificent animals in their natural environment. 136 W. Cotter Ave. • (361) 749-5252 WoodysOnline.com Especially during the spring and summer months, dol- phin excursions have been known to come under (mock) attack by watergun-wielding pirates aboard a second boat. Luckily, these are traditional, theatrical pirates, and not those that have made so much news in recent years. This super-fun adventure is ideal for groups of all ages! BIG FUN ON THE WATER IN PORT ARANSAS Chute Em Up Parasailing One of the most popular saltwater adventure sports is available all spring and sum- mer, offering an all-ages adventure and breathtaking views of the islands, channels and inland bays. (361) 749-4600 • ChuteEmUpParasail.com Red Dragon Pirate Cruises offers an interactive, floating theater, pirate themed experience that is fun for the whole family. The newly constructed ship features a crew of “pirates”who lead eager guests on cruises in the channels and nearby bays. Snacks and full bar. (361) 749-2469 • RedDragonPirateCruises.com Fisherman’s Wharf Home to popular fishing party boats the Wharf Cat and the Scat Cat, as well as private offshore and bay fishing charters and the Jetty Boat to St. Joseph’s Island, located across the Port Aransas Shop Channel. (361) 749-5448 THE 2018 ‘BE A PALL’ HOLIDAY PARTY Sat. Nov 24: Port A Low Life society is a rough name for a caring group of island neighbors who look after each other—busier than every since Hurri- cane Harvey. Their annual holiday party has been moved to the Port A Civic Center and will feature bands Passing Strangers, Hamilton Loomis, Two Tons of Steel, and Mike & The Moonpies. Benefits the Port A EMS Christmas Toy Drive. PALLHolidayParty.com GOLF CART CAROLING Sun. Dec. 16: Golf Cart Christmas Caroling is a fun and cheerful night of holiday sounds, spread throughout Port A by a hearty band of energetic singers and accom- panying musicians. Organized by the City of Port Aransas. WEEKLY BIRDING TOUR Saturdays 8–10 a.m.: Port Aransas Parks & Recre- ation Dept. sponsors free birding tours every Sat- urday morning, led by knowledgable experts in the region’s local and migrating bird populations. Tours begin at the Port Aransas Community Park parking lot and proceed to Charlie’s Pasture. PASSING STRANGERS HAMILTON LOOMIS