The San Bernard River Beach 9-26-26

By Joe Coker

On Sunday 9/26/26, we did a really nice paddle to the San Bernard River Beach. Thank you Carl K. (HASK) for leading. This is one of our favorite spots as it combines some 6 miles of paddling through the marshlands with beautiful beach time on the virtually uninhabited Gulf coast. Except for some campers who must have driven the roughly 15 miles on the beach from Sargent, TX., we had the whole place to ourselves!

Boat access is via the 2918 ramp on the Intracoastal Waterway (see maps).



From there it’s a quick jog up the ICW to the San Bernard confluence, and a straight shot down the last leg of the river to the coast. On my first visit some 7 years ago, the river actually made it all the way to the Gulf.



Since then, however, sediment has entirely blocked the flow about 100 yards short of the beach, and currently the river water is totally absorbed by the ICW and adjacent marsh creating a very different but still beautiful site.

The virgin beach is amazing! We took some nice long walks and had a leisurely lunch enjoying the remote peacefulness. Eventually we slowly returned to our boats and headed back north a short way to the Lagoon where we spent the rest of our time in leisurely exploration of the marsh. By then, the south wind began kicking up signaling time to leave. Fortunately, we had it at our backs for the return paddle home. All in all, a really nice trip!

Another great day on the water!