Matagorda Island

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SubliminalHorn

500+ Posts
So my best friend is leaving for grad school in August. We are planning a little trip together, sort of a "last hurrah" before he leaves to Matagorda Island.

He's planning the whole thing, I'm pretty much just along for the ride.

Here's the kicker: We're sailing there in his Hobie Cat little sail boat catamaran (sp?) type boat thing. We're leaving Port O'Connor (I think) and sailing to Matagorda.

I'm really nervous about this. The whole sailing in the gulf on this thing freaks me out. Anyone been out on the water in that area? What are the conditions usually like?

We're planning on camping on Matagorda and "roughing it." He wants to hunt for food, fish, hike...very Survivor. If you knew him, none of this would surprise you.

Anyway, I know nothing of Matagorda Island. Anyone been there and camped? Any tips or stories?

Should I alert the Coast Guard that we will be heading out there? Can you do that? I'm a little freaked out by this whole adventure.

Edit: I should add that we are going this weekend.
 
I've heard it's major rattlesnake country.

So be careful where you step and sleep.

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The Link

Google Matagorda Island - rattlesnakes.
 
We went up Cedar Bayou in the boats and stopped on Matagorda.
My neighbor's daughter reached down into the sand and picked up a huge rattlesnake fang that was amongst some seashells. It must have been 7 inches long.
No fresh water is a real problem.
"Living off the land" ain't gonna happen, friendo.
The Karankawas couldn't do it, so I don't know why your friend thinks he's any different.
 
There used to be, or maybe still is, a ferry running from Port O'Connor over to the island, but I never took the trip.

One of my friends at A&M was from the town of Matagorda, on the mainland.

I went down to his place a couple of times and he had some wild tales to tell about the history of the area and his life growing up there.

His family ran Serrill's General Store in Matagorda and I believe he still lives thereabouts.

They sold a lot of ice and cold drinks.

Your trip sounds like a real adventure.

For a SubliminalHorn, the contrasting change to the isolated, seldom seen, hot, dry, windblown, saline, sandy and snaky conscious reality of historic Matagorda Island should make this an exciting journey for you to experience and remember.

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Cabeza de Vaca, Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle and the former residents of Indianola would be pleased and proud that you're somewhat following in their footsteps.

Good luck, have fun and a safe trip.

Please post here about your weekend expedition of survivorship and discovery, after you return, quench your thirst and sufficiently recover.

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We stayed in old military barracks (air force, i think) on the island one time as a family vacation. My dad thought it would be charming, and planned the whole thing. My mom was less than thrilled.

But.. it wasn't bad. We had a boat and caught a ton of fish. Played football on the old runways. Explored.

IIRC, you'd only have to sail across Matagorda Bay.. not all the way out into the gulf, so I wouldn't be too concerned. The island itself is rugged and wild.. with a bunch of wildlife (hogs, snakes, coyotes etc..). I tend to enjoy that sort of thing.
 
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