They used to let people get out of their cars but stopped for COVID. I don't know if they have changed that. Make sure you look on the pilings and the tall poles for Double-crested Cormorants and Ospreys. On the Aransas Pass side there are sometimes Egrets or Herons on the left side as you drive up. 

In the winter you may see White Pelicans. You will see Laughing Gulls and Brown Pelicans all year long. You often see Forster's Terns diving into the water for food.

The ferry runs 24/7 every day. This is a TxDot road. If you are in one of the older, smaller ferries you can see the water and a lot more nature. On the larger ferries it is hard to see anything. It takes about 10 minutes for the ferry to cross the channel. You can also walk on and ride across.