---
title: "San José Island: Access, the Jetty Boat & the Rules"
description: "San José Island is privately owned with one public strip: the beach below the mean high tide line. The jetty boat, the fares, and the rules."
canonical: https://portaransasfishingtx.com/spots/san-jose-island/
source: https://portaransasfishingtx.com/spots/san-jose-island/
---

1.  [Home](https://portaransasfishingtx.com/)
2.  [Fishing Spots](https://portaransasfishingtx.com/spots/)
3.  San José Island

Fishing spots

# San José Island

The wild island across the ship channel: 21 miles of undeveloped Gulf beach with no roads, no buildings you can visit, and no crowds. It is also private property, which shapes every rule below.

## Can you visit San José Island?

Yes, with a hard boundary: San José Island is privately owned, and visitors may use only the public beach below the mean high tide line. No vehicles, no going inland past the wet sand. Access is by the jetty boat from Fisherman's Wharf — there are no roads to the island. [Port Aransas Chamber](https://www.portaransas.org/san-jose-island/)

That mean-high-tide rule is the Chamber’s own published line, and it is the one to follow — older articles describing camping and shell collecting inland conflict with it. Stay on the wet-sand beach, fish, and leave nothing.

## How do you get to San José Island?

The jetty boat from Fisherman's Wharf in Port Aransas runs daily to a dock at the base of the north jetty — round trip $25 ages 13 and up, $12 ages 6–12, free ages 5 and under, no reservations, tickets on-site. [Fisherman’s Wharf](https://www.fishermanswharfporta.com/boats/jetty-boat/)

Winter departures run 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m.; summer adds a 6:30 a.m. run. Guaranteed returns at 10:10 a.m., 12:10, 2:10, 4:10 and 6 p.m., with extra trips on demand. Fares and schedule verified 2026-08-09 from the operator — confirm on their site before you plan a dawn trip around it.

## Is the fishing on San José Island any good?

It is the least-pressured surf and jetty fishing in the area, which is the whole draw: miles of beach that see a handful of anglers a day, plus the north jetty at the island's tip. You trade convenience for solitude — everything you need rides over with you.

The [north jetty](/spots/north-jetty/) deserves its own read before you walk it — it sits lower and wilder than the south side. Surf tactics carry straight over from the [Port Aransas surf guide](/surf-fishing/), license rules included.

Straight answers

## Frequently asked questions

### Can you swim at San José Island?

The Gulf beach is open below the mean high tide line and people do swim there, but treat it as a wilderness beach: no lifeguards, no facilities, no help nearby. The last boat back is the one you planned for, so watch the return schedule.

### What should you bring to San José Island?

Everything, and carry it all back: water, shade, food, bait, and a bag for your trash. The operator’s own warning is that the island is uninhabited with no facilities — plan and pack accordingly. There is nothing to buy once you step off the boat.

## What will your trip cost?

Pick a trip type, length, and group size — the estimate is instant, free, and from current local market research.