Corpus Christi’s Gulf Coast beaches are the region’s main attraction. They are close to Port Aransas and Rockport, so you have a variety of choices to visit. Corpus Christi has more than 100 miles of beach shoreline, so there are plenty of options for surfers and families.

Beaches like North Beach allow you to visit some of Corpus Christi’s top attractions. Padre Island National Seashore and Mustang Island have idyllic natural environments and scenery. These beaches are both relaxing and fun.

Let’s look at some of the best beaches located in Corpus Christi.

1. Padre Island National Seashore

When in Corpus Christi, you simply can’t miss out on going to the Padre Island National Seashore. With a length of 66 miles, this stretch of undeveloped barrier island holds the record for having the longest length in the world. The beach is expansive and well-kept, and it offers excellent opportunities for swimming as well as camping for the night. The natural habitat of this beach, which consists of sand dunes, tidal flats, and prairies, is preserved by the National Park Service, and viewing it is one of the most enjoyable things that can be done there.

Beachcombing at the Padre Island National Seashore is a fantastic way to discover one-of-a-kind shells and other items that have been washed up on the shore by the shifting currents of the Gulf of Mexico. At this beach, one of the most well-liked things to do is take part in the release of baby sea turtles because the beach is used as a nestling ground for Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, and the public is welcome to watch the hatchling releases, which typically take place between the middle of June and the end of August.

2. Whitecap Beach

Whitecap Beach is not only a stunning beach with sands that are completely white and pristine, but it is also a fun beach for engaging in a variety of outdoor activities. If the waves are good, you can frequently find people surfing on this beach, and it’s also a place where beginners can get their feet wet by taking a lesson.

Whitecap Beach has a very pleasant and sociable atmosphere. It is not uncommon to find groups of people who drive onto the sand and gather in a block party fashion in the natural setting to take advantage of the waves, sand, and views while socializing with one another. Camping for the night is permitted, and beach bonfires are a common activity. Whitecap Beach is home to a variety of fun activities, including horseback riding, which is especially enjoyable during the beach’s vivid sunsets.

3. JP Luby Beach

JP Luby beach is one of the city’s most beautiful beaches. It is a very long stretch of beachfront that is wide enough for you to drive your vehicle right onto the sand if you have the appropriate permit.

The sand is comfortable to walk on, and the beach is framed by some of the most towering sand dunes that can be found anywhere on Mustang Island. This beach is ideal for early-morning beachcombing for shells, strolling along the shoreline, swimming, and watching the sunrise which gives ample benefits of going to the beach including improving relationships with friends and families.

You can frequently find fishermen at JP Luby Beach early in the morning either checking out the waves or preparing their campsites on the jetty that is located nearby the beach. Along the stretch of the beachfront where parking is allowed, there are both portable toilets and trash cans available for use.

4. North Beach

North Beach is a fantastic public beach near downtown Corpus Christi. This is a beautiful beach with the USS Lexington aircraft carrier and museum in the background. If you are staying in the Corpus Christi downtown area or do not have time to visit the beaches near Mustang Island or Padre Island National Seashore, this is an easily accessible day-use beach in the heart of the city.

North Beach is located just off Highway 35, making it accessible from most parts of the city. There is plenty of public parking and multiple access points. It is a pleasant soft-sand beach with a paved public walking and biking path that runs parallel to the beachfront and leads to Corpus Christi Beach Park. The beach is pet-friendly, and public restrooms are available.

5. Malaquite Beach

Padre Island National Seashore includes Malaquite Beach. If you’ve never been to the area before, the Malaquite pavilion and visitor center is a great place to start because it has information about the seashore, the ocean, and the wildlife that inhabits the landscape.

Malaquite Beach is peaceful, making it ideal for a day of swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. There are picnic tables right on the beach, as well as guest access to a bathhouse and elevated boardwalk platforms with scenic overlooks.

Keep your eyes peeled for seashells, starfish, and sand dollars that are commonly found washed up on the beach. Even on busy days, the wide, sandy footprint of this popular beach provides plenty of space. This beach is ideal for families who want to spend the day by the water because of amenities such as rinse-off stations and restrooms.

6. McGee Beach

One of the city’s most accessible beaches is McGee Beach. It is conveniently located in the middle of the city and features an expansive stretch of sand, plenty of room to spread out, and wonderful swimming areas that extend out into Corpus Christi Bay.

This beach is situated right next to a pedestrian path and a seawall, making it an ideal place to walk, skateboard, roller skate, ride a bike, or take a rented scooter along the beachfront. Because Water’s Edge Park, restaurants, and benches to sit on are all within walking distance of this beach, it is a great spot for families to spend the day at the beach.

7. Padre Balli County Park

Due to the popularity of Padre Balli County Park as a beach destination in Corpus Christi, it is not uncommon to see people building sandcastles there. This beachfront park is open throughout the year and features many beachfront activities such as bonfires, in addition to providing easy public access points.

You can spend the day basking in the warm rays of the sun and swimming in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico if you go to the beach that has soft sand and block the sun with your favorite sunscreen which is one of the tips for staying safe while visiting the beaches around this area. This is a well-liked beach for camping, and it features paved campsites that come equipped with running water and power outlets. Campers and members of the public alike have access to the park’s bathhouse facilities. Recreational vehicles are quite common and can be driven on the beach if they have the appropriate authorization.

8. Mustang Island State Park Beach

Mustang Island State Park is a wonderful place to gain access to the stunning sand and water that are hidden behind the towering sand dunes that are found on Mustang Island. If you pay the day-use fee for the park, you will have access to all the park’s amenities, such as restrooms and showers, as well as the other activities that are offered at the nearly 4,000-acre state park. Because of this, we recommend that you visit this section of the beach.

This beach is very popular with families because it is great for a variety of activities, including swimming, searching for shells, having a picnic, camping, watching birds, fishing, biking, and sunbathing. Sunrises and sunsets at this beach are particularly peaceful due to their location on a natural barrier island, which makes it a scenic beach, to begin with.