Dancing Dunes-Port Aransas, TX

10/14/2024

So fun and so many amazing kites!

Fall Kite Fly - Port A 🪁🌊☀️

10/11/2024

More from the turtle release

10/11/2024

3 Loggerhead turtles released this morning after being rehabilitated at the ARK in Port A❤️

08/06/2024

https://www.southernliving.com/travel/texas/port-aransas-tx?

Nice article about our little island


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Get ready for deep-sea fishing, dolphin watching, and sand castle competitions in Port Aransas, Texas, one of the South's best vacation towns. Here are the 16 best things to do, places to stay, and where to eat.

07/24/2024

https://youtu.be/XuAyKOrpaXk?si=FTsh4MAsbDCpX9X1

We had a such a great couple of days hosting this amazing group of kids and families!

Surf camp for campers with Autism makes a splash in Port Aransas

07/04/2024

Nothing better than spending July 4th at the beach!

Come celebrate July 4th at the Roberts Point Park Small Pavilion! A lot of fun activities are planned beginning at 4 p.m. and City of Port Aransas fireworks will begin around 9 p.m. Free popcorn, snow cones and bounce houses. Live music by Tyler Preston Band 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. FREE Port Aransas

07/01/2024

Save the date

UPDATE: Due to the incoming hurricane/tropical storm and expected beach and weather conditions next week, the sea turtle release has been cancelled. We apologize and thank everyone for being understanding! We hope to see you all at the next one!

06/23/2024

Another year and another Raschke family reunion. We love our guest at the Dancing Dunes and it is always great watching families grow and and bring new family members each year. 😇

06/20/2024

Get up early and go watch the release!

⚠️ Due to the impacts of Tropical Storm Alberto, this Sea Turtle Hatchling Release has been CANCELLED. Future public hatchling releases will be schedule and posted on this page and our website at go.nps.gov/HatchlingRelease. ⚠️

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A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hatchling release is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 6:45am on Malaquite Beach. Here are a few things to consider!

⚠️ IF THERE IS NO UPDATE TO THIS POST, THAT MEANS THAT THE HATCHLING RELEASE IS HAPPENING AS PLANNED. ⚠️

📞 Call the Hatchling Hotline at (361) 949-7163 before you drive out to the seashore to make sure the release is happening. The hotline is a recorded message you can call anytime day or night.

🌩️ Hatchling releases may be cancelled if the turtles have not hatched on the expected date, due to bad weather (ex. pouring rain, lightning on the beach, high winds), extreme high tides, or flooding over roadways, etc.

💲 Park entrance fees are required to enter the park year-round. To save time, purchase your entrance pass online BEFORE coming to the park.

🎟️ The $10 per vehicle one-day pass expires at midnight on the date of purchase. Do not purchase this pass the night before the hatchling release as it will be expired in the morning. Purchase your $10 per vehicle one-day pass the morning of the hatchling release only AFTER calling the calling the Hatchling Hotline to verify the release is happening.

🪪 Annual and lifetime pass holders do not need to pay the park entrance fee but must present their pass and ID at the entrance station.

🚗 Expect delays of up to 30-minutes entering the park. Hatchling releases take place on Malaquite Beach in front of the Malaquite Visitor Center. The visitor center is located 15-minutes south of the park entrance station. Once you arrive at the release site, you must park in a parking lot, walk across the visitor center deck (where the restrooms are located), down the ramp and out to the beach. Driving on Malaquite Beach to the hatchling release site is not permitted. If you have not been to the park before, take some time to look at a map of the park, and look over driving directions.

🐕‍🦺 Please leave your pets at home. Trained service animals, authorized under the ADA are allowed.

❓ For more information about how to prepare to attend a release, please visit go.nps.gov/HatchlingRelease

06/19/2024

Check it out on your next visit to Port A!

06/07/2024

🫶🫶

A flamingo has decided to make Port Aransas its new home! 🦩

Next time you visit, see if you can spot this beautiful bird visiting during this unique time.

📸 Roy Frette

06/07/2024

Nesting season is in full swing for the turtles

Nesting Season Update!🐢

So far in the 2024 Kemp’s ridley nesting season, the ARK has worked to protect 31 nests!

This has been a very busy season as we have already surpassed our numbers from 2023! We will continue to patrol the beach everyday searching for nesting moms and tracks.

If you come across a sea turtle or what you believe to be tracks on the beach make sure to report it by calling the hotline!🐢

1-866-TURTLE5

06/07/2024

Check it out on your next trip to Port A

For many visitors to Mustang Island and Port Aransas, the idea of a tiny, secluded chapel nestled in the sand dunes is like a hidden treasure.

05/12/2024

Sand belt races at the Gaff - only in Port A!

05/07/2024

May and June are peak months for sea turtle nesting on the Texas coast. If you spot one call 1-866-TURTLES and follow instructions on the recording. Stay a good distance from the turtle and wait for assistance if possible

05/03/2024

Another great weekend in Port A! Always good music and friendly people to be found on the island.

04/23/2024

Earth day was celebrated yesterday on the beach❤️

Happy Earth day!

Reminder: yearly peace sign photo at Caldwell Pier is today at 4pm(ish) Looking more like 5pm...