The Brazos River empties into the Gulf of Mexico near Mile Marker 395 off the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW). The Freeport area is loaded with oil-related commercial facilities, and as such, there are not many places to land ashore and provision or explore. The Bridge Harbor Yacht Club is located northeast of the inlet’s junction with good facilities in a protected harbor off the GIWW. This said, the inlet is deep, wide and reliable in most all weather conditions, making it ideal place to start an offshore hop toward Galveston or destinations south and east.

To approach the Brazos River and Harbor from the Gulf of Mexico, first set a course to intercept Morse (A) buoy “FP,” which is about five miles southeast of the jettied inlet cut. Once you have picked up Morse (A) buoy “FP,” set an approximate course of 313 degrees magnetic for a distance of five miles making sure to use the lighted range on your way in. After Morse (A) buoy “FP, “ follow in flashing green buoy “1,” flashing red buoy “2,” flashing green gong buoy “3,” flashing red buoy “4,” flashing green buoy “5,” flashing red buoy “6,” and finally, quick flashing green “7” and quick flashing red “8” near the twin stone jetties that lead into the inlet.

Once you have safely arrived in the inlet, you have pretty much one direction to head for a close-by marina. The Bridge Harbor Yacht Club is the closest well-equipped marina to the inlet and requires a turn northeast up the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway just past the inlet at Mile Marker 395. The marina is located about 1.7 miles from the junction of the GIWW and the Brazos River Inlet.

See our “Local Notices to Mariners” blog for updates on the latest conditions and advisories for this area.