Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport

Since the 1600s, six distinct flags have flown over Texas. But not all of Texas’s remarkable history has occurred on land. Chart your course for the State of Texas’ Official Maritime Museum in Rockport, and discover the Gulf Coast’s fascinating nautical heritage.

Located in the Rockport Cultural Arts District across from the harbor, the Texas Maritime Museum has broad appeal. Whether you’re a history buff, a family looking for a museum that’s interactive and engaging for all ages, or you’re curious about Texas’s coastal heritage, the museum vividly portrays the rich history of life and industry on the Gulf of Mexico.

Discover the First Mariners

The museum’s exhibits travel through time beginning with the Karankawa people. They plied area waterways before the first of Texas’s flags flew. The compelling displays feature archeological finds and highlight the culture and resilience of the area’s first mariners.

Explorers and Their Shipwrecks

One of the most popular exhibits focuses on the shipwreck of La Belle, the ill-fated ship of French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier, the Lord of La Salle. His ship sank off the coast of Texas in 1686, as he searched for the Mississippi River. The museum houses an impressive 1:12 scale model of La Belle and actual recovered artifacts. Together, they offer a rare look into life at sea, as well as 17th century navigation and maritime technology that guided explorers around the globe despite the odds.

Coastal Industries and Innovations

The museum also showcases the significant impact of coastal industries on Texas and beyond. Exhibits on wartime shipbuilding and commercial fishing highlight the essential roles these industries played in local, national, and international economies. An equally impressive display chronicles the robust offshore oil and gas industry from its start in 1947 through today’s innovations. Be sure to check out Bullwinkle — a replica of one of the world’s tallest offshore drilling rigs that was built in Texas and towed 332 nautical miles into the Gulf of Mexico.

A Treasure for All Ages

Your little ones will find plenty of interactive displays that are both educational and fun. They can hop into a dugout canoe like one the Karankawa people would have used. They can also be captains at the helm where they’ll steer the ship or learn the ropes (literally!). For a kid-friendly dive into nautical history, visit during one of the museum’s Family Discovery Days.

The museum is truly a treasure for all ages. Those with a few more years under their belts can take a nostalgic walk through the angling displays. Originally shown only during the annual SeaFair Festival, these collections of lures, rods, reels, and outboard motors now have a forever home at the Texas Maritime Museum.

Outdoor Exhibits and Panoramic Views

The outdoor watercraft exhibit provides a unique opportunity to explore everything from tending nets and sorting catches on the Morgan skiff to bunking down in a “dog house” on a carefully restored Texas Scow Sloop. Be sure to check out the Whittaker Capsule — an oil platform’s enclosed lifeboat that packs 28 people in like sardines! Cap off your visit on the outdoor observation deck, where you’ll enjoy a commanding view of Rockport, Fulton, and the historic waters that lie beyond. For more information on upcoming events and to plan your visit, please check out Texas Maritime Museum’s official website.