Harrison’s Landing, a dba of Yachting Center of Corpus Christi, LLC, is a family-owned and –operated business, comprised of three areas of services:  Tavern on the Bay, Cathy’s Boutique & Gifts, and the Yachting Center.

The Yachting Center was opened in 2006 at its former location on the Cooper’s Alley L-Head, at the other end of the City Marina, as a sailing school, captain’s training and charter boat operation.  By 2007, the operation had grown and a new, larger location was needed.   A retired Army utility lash barge was purchased and modified to accommodate the existing two-story floating building.   We relocated to our new location in April 2009, and expanded our operation to include Cathy’s Boutique & Gifts.

The following year we opened Tavern on the Bay, an outdoor patio restaurant, serving a limited menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches and fried shrimp baskets.  The Tavern has since expanded several times from the original hamburger stand to the current day full service indoor/outdoor restaurant, with a second dining area for overflow dining and private banquet room for events. Live entertainment is offered seasonally, usually Wednesday through Sunday.

In 2010 we also purchased a 50’ open touring boat to offer one-hour boat tours of Corpus Christi Bay.  She was named Japonica after a touring boat that operated from Pleasure Pier in the early 1930s before the seawall and the T-Heads were built in the City Marina.  Japonica is a favorite tourist attraction with its BYOB cruises, dolphin sightings, and a water view of the Bayfront, Harbor Bridge, Texas State Aquarium and USS Lexington. All ages enjoy a ride aboard Japonica, especially the sunset tours.

Cathy’s Boutique & Gifts began as what was supposed to be a “ship’s store” but quickly was redirected to a tourist gift shop and convenient spot for marina tenants to obtain ice and soft drinks. Within a year, demand for more than just refrigerator magnets and Corpus Christi trinkets caused to gift shop to turn toward a more boutique retail environment.  Cathy’s Boutique boasts an eclectic inventory of “all things coastal,” offering home décor, wall art, jewelry, fashion accessories, men’s and women’s apparel, and, of course, Corpus Christi souvenirs, although we try to offer items other than the typical ones found at the local souvenir shops across the Harbor Bridge or out on Padre Island.

Nell Betty II our 38’ sailing yacht is available for captain charters from two to eight hours, as well as over-night charters.  There is nothing as relaxing as a sailboat cruise in the warmth of the afternoon sun, or at sunrise or sunset.   The gentle caress of the waves lapping against the hull, the scent of sea air, and the serenade of the sea gulls is unmatched.  Sharing that with your significant other, family or friends is a memorable experience.  We offer these cruises as public or private, with a maximum of six passengers.

In 2011, we changed our name from Yachting Center to Harrison’s Landing to better reflect the multi-service facility we had become.  As we grew in popularity, our second floor view of the bay and cityscape became recognized as a perfect private rental facility.  In addition to the upstairs room accommodating our overflow and/or indoor dining needs, it also has become a popular place for wedding rehearsal dinners, graduation and birthday parties, meeting space, etc. We also host our special holiday events, and quarterly “Beer School” events in this space.

With the Spring of 2012 came the addition of the “Back Dock Tiki Bar” and two other floating decks, which were an over-whelming success.  These areas have labeled us as an outdoor destination, even though we have a beautiful dining area complete with a full bar and outstanding view of Corpus Christi Bay and the cityscape on the second floor.  It’s even air-conditioned and still our guests prefer to sit outside when it’s 95 degrees!

If you are interested in a hands-on experience we offer “Intro to Sailing” an interactive cruise, where you serve as the crew and are instructed in basic sailing techniques as well as its unique terminology.  “Intro to Sailing” is the perfect outing for a family vacation excursion, a guys or girls day out, father & son outing, or just a group of friends wanting to do something different.  It definitely is a stay-cation idea waiting to happen!

We also offer a dinner cruise package with dinner at Tavern on the Bay and a 2-hour sail aboard Nell Betty.  This has become a very popular activity for locals and tourists alike, and always BYOB, with advance reservations required.

Harrison’s Landing is committed to living out its mission statement: “At Harrison’s Landing, whether dining, boating or shopping, we strive to delight our guests with such an exceptional experience, they can’t wait to spread the word and come back again!”