Houston is served by two airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). All international flights to Houston arrive in Bush, whereas many domestic and budget carriers use Hobby.

Getting to High Island is pretty simple from Bush Airport and takes about two hours.

Exit the parking lot onto JFK Drive and go south. Look for the purple signs with yellow lettering for the Sam Houston Tollway (locally known as Beltway 8). Be sure to have some cash for the toll; booth operators can make change. Go east on Sam Houston Tollway until your reach I-10. Take I-10 East out of the city and continue until you get to the town of Winnie. Winnie is approximately 52 miles from the Sam Houston Tollway and I-10 intersection. At Winnie take the state highway 124 exit. Go south on Hwy 124 approximately 18 miles to High Island. In High Island turn left (east) on 5th Street (you’ll see the post office on the southeast corner). Drive three blocks to the Tropical Birding Visitor's Center on your left, look for the birding tower. 

An alternate and less direct route, but one with more birding options, is to exit before the town of Winnie. From the airport, follow the above directions to reach I-10 east. Take I-10 east to the small community of Hankamer, which is approximately 37 miles from the Sam Houston Tollway and I-10 intersection. Take exit 812 onto state highway 61. Go south (right) for a few miles. You will come to a four-way intersection. Hwy 61 is to the right (west), hwy 65 is to the left (east) and hwy 562 is straight ahead. Continue straight through the intersection to Hwy 562. Continue south on Hwy 562 to the small community of Double Bayou. Just past the town, the road forks. Hwy 562 is to your right (southwest) and will take your to Smith Point and offers various birding opportunities. Route FM1985 is to your left (east) and will take you past the entrance to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, which can have great birding in any season. If you have time, stop and bird Anahuac, otherwise carry on east on FM1985 until you reach hwy 124. Turn right (south) onto Hwy 124 and go to High Island. Turn left (east) onto 5th street per directions above. 

Where to Stay

High Island
At the moment there are very few options for staying at High Island. 

There is a wonderful house called “The Roost” for rent directly across from Houston Audubon’s Boy Scout Woods Sanctuary. While you would have to be lucky indeed to find vacancy during spring migration, it is often available during the rest of the year with a bit of advance. For bookings, call Winnie Burkett at 832-385-7551, but chances are slim there will be space in April.

There is an RV park in town with camping and a few slots with hookups. The location is very good for people wanting this type of accommodation. See their website at www.highislandrvpark.com.

Crystal Beach
About 15 miles west of High Island (about half way to Bolivar Flats) is the tourist resort of Crystal Beach, with a plethora of weekend beach rental homes. Check online and it is impossible to miss them. This is a very good option if you are in the area for a week or so.

Some of the realty agents are:
Cobb Real Estate (409) 684-3790
More Real Estate (409) 684-0012
Swedes Properties (409) 684-2628

If you are looking for a hotels or B&B, you can try these:
Cottage by the Sea (409) 267-3133
Joy Sands Motel (409) 684-6152

Winnie
About 19 miles north of High Island, just off I-10, is the town of Winnie. You will find your normal set of chain motels there including: 

Studio 6 409-296-3611
Holiday Inn Express 409-296-2848
Quality Inn 409-296-9292
Winnie Inn and Suites 409-296-9247

Locally owned motels include Ricelands Motel 409-296-4121 or the Sands Motel.

Where to Eat

High Island
There is a small shop at the gas station where you can pick up sandwiches and snack food. It was badly damaged in the September 2007 hurricane, but they are working like crazy to get it ready for migration. There are plans to have a “birder’s lunch” available during the 2008 spring season, accessible from the entrance to Boy Scout Woods. The local Methodist church puts on a BBQ lunch every Saturday during April, and other hot lunch options should be available by then. Again, check back for updates as we will post the information as soon as it becomes available. Free (and very good!) coffee will be available from the Birder’s Information Center across from the Boy Scouts entrance on 5th street. Look for the tower; it is pretty hard to miss.

Winnie
Besides the normal fast food that is found at most I-10 exits, there are two very good alternatives in Winnie. Please let the people serving know that you are birders supporting the local economy.

Our favorite is a Mexican restaurant called Machos on the west side of the road (i.e. right if heading south and left if heading north from High Island). This is only two miles south of Winnie’s I-10 exit. The food here is very good Tex-Mex fare, with a full meal coming in under $15, and many options under $10.

For Cajun food lovers, there is Al T’s on the eastern side of highway 124 near I-10 in Winnie. This restaurant can be packed, but is worth the 20-minute wait. They do steak and seafood in Cajun style, and the dirty rice is fantastic. You should leave there paying around $20 to $25 a head.

Crystal Beach
Given its location, there are surprisingly few restaurants in Crystal Beach. Our favorite and is DeCoux’s Pub and Restaurant (see the photo to the right). This place has a great vibe and eating the sublime crab nachos at the bar is a nice way to meet the locals. We found that they know a lot more about birds than just about anywhere we have been.

For diner type food you can check out Mama Teresa’s Diner, or Bob’s Sports Bar and Grill. For pizza on the weekends, the best option is Mama Teresa’s Pizza Bar.