Bay Education Center

We are currently closed and all public-facing programming is cancelled until further notice. During this time, we will be offering a variety of virtual engagements for our teachers, students and families. Please connect with us through our Facebook Page (@manerr) to view and access these engagements. Additional resources to enhance and expand the learning experience will be shared on our For Teachers page. 

The Reserve operates a public interpretive center in Rockport, Texas and we would love for you to come visit us! 

So many of us are drawn to the local estuaries and coastal habitats, but know little about the important role they play in our South Texas ecology and economy. The Bay Education Center is designed to provide our visitors with an overview of the Mission-Aransas Estuary and the National Estuarine Research Reserve, as well as how we each benefit from and connect to our natural coastal resources.  

Check out our latest temporary exhibition, "Oceans of Plastic" an exploration in fine art and marine debris. Local artist Shelia Rogers draws you in with her beautiful and visually stimulating displays, while at the same time asks you to "look closer" to see the impact marine debris can have on our local beaches, bays and estuaries. 

Also explore our Science On A Sphere® (SOS) exhibit, a 3D digital globe created by NOAA to illustrate Earth science concepts to people of all ages. Peak your curiosity during one of our interactive Discovery Discussions as we explore interesting topics from land, air, space, and sea. Our guided interpreters will ask questions about, and share answers to, some of our planet’s most interesting wonders, such as what do human transportation routes look like from space?, how have global air temperatures changed over time?, just how big was Hurricane Harvey?, and how does ocean circulation work?

HOURS OF OPERATION:

The Bay Education Center is open free to the public, Thursday - Saturday, 12-4 pm.

Science On A Sphere Discovery Discusions are on-going through the day. 

For organized groups of 10 or larger, please contact us for a special engagement.

Contact us at the Bay Education Center at sarapel@utexas.edu or call, 361-774-1785.

DIRECTIONS:

The Bay Education Center has exhibits on local coastal wetlands and the world.

Located at 121 Seabreeze Dr., Rockport, Texas

Directions from Port Aransas: Take the ferry to Aransas Pass. Once in Aransas Pass turn RIGHT on TX-35 business. Stay on TX-35 BUS N all the way to Rockport (about 10 miles). In Rockport, turn right onto FM 1069 (Market Street). Turn left onto Austin Street. Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Dr., which will become Seabreeze Drive. The Bay Education Center will be on your right, just before the entrance to Rockport Beach Park.

Directions from Corpus Christi: Take the Harbor Bridge (US-181 N) towards Portland. Continue onto TX-35 N. Take the Market Street exit and turn RIGHT onto Market Street. Turn left onto Austin Street. Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Dr., which will become Seabreeze Drive. The Bay Education Center will be on your right, just before the entrance to Rockport Beach Park. 

Come see Science On A Sphere:

Map to the Bay Education Center in Rockport, Texas.