St. Joe's Island Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
S, SE
Wind
N, NW or W with a swell pushing in, or strong S, SW will work
Surf Height
Chest high to a couple feet overhead
Tide
Medium
St. Joe's Island Surf Guide
On the north end of Port Aransas are the Port Aransas Jetties. The jetties protect the Port Aransas Ship Channel, and across from that is St. Joe's (San Jose) Island, an uninhabited isle that runs from Port Aransas north to Matagorda Island. On large, out-of-control, wind-driven S swells, St. Joe's can be a good option for catching clean walls that break on the sandbars just north of the north jetty. Though the waves can sometimes border on being a bit mushy, the jetty offers considerable protection from howling southerly winds, and can afford surfers their only chance for clean surf when every other beach is blown out.
Ability Level
All Abilities
Beginner to advanced
Local Vibe
Welcoming
Positive.
Crowd Factor
Mellow
Sparse.
Spot Rating
Fun
On select swells it is the place to go, but usually not worth the effort.
Shoulder Burn
Exhausting
More if you're paddling the channel.
Water Quality
Clean
Relatively clean.
Hazards
Large vessels (if paddling).
Bring Your
Shortboard, Funboard, Longboard, Fish
Access
Can be dangerous, if you paddle across the channel. Easiest/safest is by boat or ferry.
Bottom
Sand.
Best Season
Late summer/fall; late winter to mid-spring
Do you have local knowledge about St. Joe's Island?
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