Port O'Connor - Bar Room Bay

For experienced kayakers seeking a unique nighttime adventure, the Bar Room Bay Tour offers an exciting route rich in both history and wildlife. We now launch from a true piece of Port O'Connor history: the old boat ramp at the end of 16th Street, right in front of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal Fisheries office (and nearby US Fish and Wildlife facilities). This ramp once thrived as a bustling launch point for local fishermen before Hurricane Carla's devastating 1961 landfall, packing massive storm surge and winds that leveled much of the town, left it battered and quiet for years. Like Port O'Connor itself, it's been resilient, and we're thrilled to paddle from this historic spot where the past still echoes across the water.

Our adventure kicks off here, where you might spot a resident American alligator lurking nearby, perfect for a quick photo op before we launch into the night! From the ramp, we'll cross the Intracoastal Waterway (a deep channel of 12-15 feet) and head into one of Port O'Connor’s most scenic and storied locations: Bar Room Bay.

Bar Room Bay holds a special place in local lore. In the early 20th century, this area was the spot for lively gatherings, with a dance hall once standing along its shores where fishermen and locals would "reel" in the fun after a long day on the water, dancing the night away to celebrate their catches. Though the hall was eventually swept away by a hurricane, its spirited memory lives on, and the bay’s name itself is a nod to those good old "bar room" times.

As we glide through “Fisherman’s Cut” and into Bar Room Bay, GlowRow’s powerful, 20,000-lumen lights illuminate the underwater world below. Stone Crab, Blue Crab, Stingrays, Flounder, and a variety of fish species make this bay their home, and on a lucky night, you might even catch a glimpse of a curious Herring Flying by.

With our Texas-made, patented Glow-Paddles lighting the way, you’ll see nature and history come alive in glowing detail. Book now to launch from this historic ramp and paddle into the heart of Bar Room Bay, where the old vibes are still flowing and the magic of the Gulf Coast shines under the stars!