15 Best Beaches in Texas Vacations, Water Sports & Fishing 2022
It should come as no surprise that a place known as the Lone Star State has stellar beaches. Texas offers much more than a beach or two here and there or a single stretch of sand jutting out into the sea. Like everything else it’s known for, Texas does beaches in a big way. Here, the Gulf region beckons with 600 miles of sparkling coastline that invites you to swim and spend the day taking in the land, sea, and sky.
Dive into water skiing, sailing, sea kayaking, fishing, or snorkeling. Gather some pink petal shells as you take a sunset stroll, letting the waves of warm water dance over your feet. Spend a day letting your imagination fly; Texas, after all, is known as the top birding destination in the United States. You can even saddle up, true Texan style, and ride a horse along the beach.
To pique your interest: Let’s explore some of the best beaches in Texas:
[amazon bestseller=”Beaches in Texas” item=”5″ template=”table”]
1. South Packery Channel Beach (also known as South Packery Jetty Beach)
Home to some of the best fishing piers in South Texas (you can catch kingfish, grouper, tarpon, or trout), South Packery Channel Beach is known for its swimming and serenity and is an excellent place for kids to splash in the water. Or build a sandcastle on the shore.
Often less crowded than some of the other tourist swimming holes in Texas, this one is a keeper.
2. Crystal Beach
Rent a beach cabana at Crystal Beach, and you’re sure to feel like you’re in your private world with the soothing sound of the waves as your constant companion.
Located on the Bolivar Peninsula and stretching for seven miles (10 km), this beach allows for camping and bonfires (blast the s’mores!) and is also a great fishing destination.
3. Port Aransas
Port Aransas is timeless, making it one of the best options for spending time on the beach.
There is no hustle and bustle here, no comings and goings in the big cities; the only thing that comes and goes is the tide. Although Corpus Christi is nearby, you will notice nothing but the idyllic calm and tranquility of a long, languid beach that beckons you to linger and enjoy your lazy side.
It’s the kind of beach that’s made for clear days when tinkling laughter rises skyward and time is all but forgotten.
4. North Beach (formerly known as Corpus Christi Beach)
Sun, surf, and sand? Of course, they are all here. But North Beach takes the enjoyment of a day at the beach one step further; in fact, just steps away are some of the great Texas attractions you won’t want to miss.
Sunbathe on the super clean sand, take a dip, and then cool off in one of the charming cabanas before enjoying the views. The USS Lexington, a World War II Essex-class aircraft carrier, is open to visitors. The Texas State Aquarium lets you get up close to various animals from the region. And serving as the backdrop for it all: the sparkling Corpus Christie skyline.
15 Best Beaches in Texas Vacations, Water Sports & Fishing 2022
5. Magnolia Beach
At Magnolia Beach, fun in the sun translates to family time, which means relaxing and spending time together. You won’t find any fast food outlets here.
And the tourists, well, there aren’t too many; Everyone is probably hanging out at the tourist spots where people feel the need to always be on the go, doing something and looking for the next big thing.
Here, you can look for crabs in the waves or look for clouds in the sky. You can chat with a villager or two if you like. This beach is not just about beauty; it’s about family and serenity.
6. Mustang Island
It will be hard to control your excitement once you reach Mustang Island. The beach is spectacular, to be sure, but there are plenty of other things to do besides sunbathing and swimming.
Build a fire in front of the beach. Go camping. Spend an hour or two combing the beach. Explore miles of beautiful paddling trails along the pristine coastline. Go bird watching. Look out for some fantastic sea turtles (in season); Mustang Island is one of the last remaining breeding grounds for the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle.
And unlike other Texas beaches, feel free to bring Fido with you—on a leash, of course.
7. Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is located a short drive from Houston, in Brazoria County, near Freeport.
15 Best Beaches in Texas Vacations, Water Sports & Fishing 2022
Why it’s popular: It’s clean, clean, clean. What else makes for a perfect beach day here? You can drive to the beach (no walking around lugging those unwieldy beach chairs and awkward coolers), you can have bonfires (beaches and bonfires are a perfect match), and there’s free parking (no exorbitant fees to curb your fun)…
8. San Jose Island
Say hello to “St. Jo Island,” a private, undeveloped island located off Port Aransas. If you’re looking for seclusion, you’ve come to the right place, but to get here, you have to take a jetty (various drop-off and pick-up times are available).
Mod cons? Absent. It’s the staggering secluded beauty that makes you want to spend time here swimming and fishing, bird watching, and beachcombing. There are no houses, cars, or condos to interrupt the day, so yes, say hello to St. Jo but be prepared not to want to say goodbye.
9. South Padre Island
It’s a hot spot, and not just because of the abundance of sunshine. South Padre Island is a favorite among wildlife-seeking tourists and those looking to spot wildlife. Some come here to watch the noisy bar scene, while others can’t take their eyes off the silky smooth dolphins splashing in the waves and majestic sea turtles scuttling on the sand.
Located just off the southern tip of Texas, this beach boasts crystal clear waters that are calming and relaxing, especially if you visit outside of spring break when the beach can be inundated with students.
10. Rockport Beach
Facing Aransas Bay, Rockport Beach is a big draw for families with children due to the lack of solid undertows or big waves. But it is not only an ideal place for children; it’s a great place to let the sunshine on your romantic side.
With a 1,500-foot lighted pier at the end of Rockport Harbor, you can take a stroll with your partner while feeling like there’s nowhere else in the world you’d rather be.
By the way, Rockport Beach is also considered one of the cleanest beaches in Texas.
11. Padre Island National Seashore
There’s a lot to take in here: 130,000 acres, to be exact. This is a spectacular protected National Park, a place of fantastic beaches, dunes, and grasslands that form the most significant undeveloped barrier in the world.
Here you can develop and pursue interests of just about every kind:
- Combing the beach.
- Traversing scenic grassland nature trails.
- Cruising the beach in an ATV.
- Watching baby sea turtles stroll toward the ocean.
- Enjoying a bird-watching tour.
- Listening to the talk of a park ranger.
15 Best Beaches in Texas Vacations, Water Sports & Fishing 2022
Whether you experience Padre Island National Seashore at sunrise, sunset, or sometime in between, the mind boggles with beauty.
12. Stewart Beach
If you’re headed to Galveston, be sure to add Stewart Beach to your schedule. One of the reasons this beach has an advantage over others in the area: you can take your four-legged companion with you. During peak season, sponsored events like volleyball tournaments add to the excitement.
Chair and umbrella rentals mean you don’t have to bring your own to your favorite spot, while on-site showers mean you won’t be sitting on your sandpile as you head home in your car.
13. Malaquite Beach
Malaquite Beach is quite a place. It is rarely crowded—home to a visitor center with eye-catching local history and wildlife exhibits. There is kayaking and windsurfing. And 60 miles of silky sand will take you to the Mansfield Canal.
This is a place where the beach gods have spared no gifts. You can wander, wander and admire all the natural beauty that has been gathered in one place. The one thing is there aren’t enough hours in the day to enjoy it all.
14. Boca Chica Beach
In the heart of Boca Chica State Park, this beach has a tropical feel that is wonderfully inviting. The sandy shoreline and stunning flora speak to the nature lover who prefers wilderness to wildly over-the-top development.
If you’re looking to take a break from sunbathing and swimming, try the excellent snorkeling, plentiful fishing, and kitesurfing.
15. Porretto Beach
Some things are meant to be kept private: Porretto Beach is one. It’s a place where locals congregate and snowbirds flock, just as they have since it was established in the 1950s.
But it remains privately owned and operated throughout the years, attracting those who crave the extra attention and the unique activities like jet skiing and parasailing that are conspicuously absent from most public beaches.
Images for texas beaches
- corpus christi
- galveston
- padre island
- houston
- map
- port aransas
- san antonio
- beautiful
- spring break
- clear water
- white sand
- gulf coast
- south padrerockport
- baytown
- mustang island
- brownsville
- freeport
- girls
- sunset
What is the prettiest beach in Texas?
Best Beaches in Texas
- Boca Chica.
- Padre Island National Seashore.
- South Padre Island.
- Mustang Island.
- Rockport Beach.
- Crystal Beach.
- Corpus Christi.
- Lighthouse Beach.
Does Texas have any good beaches?
The Best Beaches in Texas. With 350-plus miles of coastline, Texas has sandy beaches for days. … Between the spring breakers and year-round partiers on South Padre Island to beaches that are more dirt than sand, it can be hard to find hidden pockets of a real beach.
Where is a pretty beach in Texas?
East of Corpus Christi, Mustang Island is named after the wild horses that once roamed here and is arguably the prettiest and best bang-for-your-buck beach vacation destination in Texas.
Are Texas beaches swimmable?
Beaches in Texas boast rich, turquoise waters and brilliant white sand. Texan beaches like Galveston and South Padre Island are major tourist hotspots and host all sorts of recreational activities like swimming and surfing. … Great coves with family beaches and high-quality swimming water characterize Lewisville Lake.
Related searches
- texas beaches map
- texas beaches open
- texas beaches poop
- Galveston, Texas beaches
- Houston, Texas beaches
- Austin, texas beaches
- texas beaches resorts
- best beaches in texas for families
23 Best Granada Island geographical location, flag, tourist sites 2022
16 Best Hotels at Resorts at Disney 2022
17 Best Cayman Islands Where is its flag, climate, tourism, beaches 2022
11 Best History of the Canary Islands Geography, Facts 2022
15 Best Beaches in Texas Vacations, Water Sports & Fishing 2022