Though beaches aren’t the first thing that comes to people’s minds when thinking of Texas, the Lone Star State possesses 367 miles of Gulf coastline that boasts an array of stellar beach destinations. Whether you want to swim, kayak, snorkel, sail, hop on a boat, fish in the ocean, or simply relax on a quiet stretch of sand, there is a perfect beach that could accommodate you and make your day a fun-filled one.
A haven for outdoor adventurers and nature enthusiasts, there is always something for everyone. Here, we’ve collated the top beaches in Texas that you should set your sights on and never dare to miss!
We know you’ll enjoy visiting these beaches, which are among the best ones in Texas.
Boca Chica
Boca Chica is a laid-back, serene Texas beach destination located north of Mexico across the Rio Grande. Boca Chica may lack the bells and whistles of other beach towns, but it makes up for it with its tried-and-true beach offerings. You can spend your time snorkeling, fishing, surfing, swimming, and other activities.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore is located around 30 miles southeast of Corpus Christi and spans 70 miles of dunes, beaches, and tidal flats. Visitors can camp, windsurf, kayak, and swim in this protected area. The wide, soft shoreline – the world’s longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island – is ideal for long walks.
South Padre Island
South Padre Island’s beaches, once considered a top-tier spring break destination, now welcome families in droves. The island’s low-cost accommodations, views of the Gulf of Mexico, and wide, sandy beaches draw visitors year after year. You can find some of the most sought-after sands at Isla Blanca Park, located on the island’s southern tip, and includes pavilions with food options, fishing spots, boating facilities, and more.
Rockport Beach
In southeastern Texas, Rockport Beach oversees Aransas Bay. Vacationers will find picnic tables, volleyball courts, and a fishing pier at this crescent-shaped beach. Travelers can also stroll along the promenade that runs alongside the sands or set up chairs for sunbathing and relaxing on the beach, which previous sun-seekers praised for its overall cleanliness.
Mustang Island
Mustang Island, a barrier island just east of Corpus Christi, is a popular beach destination for active travelers and families. This beach is popular for camping and surfing, and the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail provides canoe, kayak, and paddleboard opportunities.
Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach is located on the Bolivar Peninsula, connecting Galveston Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Because of the beach’s remote location (it can only be reached by ferry from Galveston), the ratio of beachgoers to hermit crabs is frequently quite high.
Visitors can go bird watching or fishing when not looking for hermit crabs. Crystal Beach also accepts campers and allows campfires to be built directly on the sand.
Corpus Christi
While many visitors to Corpus Christi take day trips to the city’s beaches, the city also has its beaches. McGee Beach, a small, clean beach within walking distance of downtown, has a fishing jetty and gentle waves. North Beach, on the other hand, can be reached by crossing the Harbor Bridge.
Lighthouse Beach
Although the Lighthouse Beach boardwalk is closed due to Hurricane Harvey damage, the popular beach in Port Lavaca is still worth visiting. Small children can use the splash pad at the beach, while adults and older children can swim in Lavaca Bay. The beach’s Formosa Wetlands Walkway also serves as a bird sanctuary, so nature lovers will likely enjoy taking a short stroll on the Formosa Wetlands Walkway.
San José Island
Visitors can only access the sands underneath the vegetation line on the island’s 21-mile-long pristine coastline. However, there is plenty to do on the beaches.
Shelling, birding, and fishing are popular activities. Keep an eye out for sea turtles while fishing or swimming from the island’s jetties; the marine animals are frequently spotted in the area.
Matagorda Bay Nature Park
The Colorado River flows through Texas for more than 800 miles before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico at Matagorda Bay Nature Park. The park encompasses 1,333 acres of land and two miles of coastline, and available activities include fishing, camping, and swimming.
Surfside Beach
Unsurprisingly, the beach is the main draw in this small town situated 40 miles southwest of Galveston. It’s also not surprising that the deep water at Surfside Beach is ideal for kayaking, surfing, and windsurfing.
Stewart Beach
While Galveston Island has many beautiful beaches, Stewart Beach is a local and visitor favorite. This could be due in part to the fact that Stewart Beach provides a variety of amenities to guarantee that you have a pleasant beach experience. At Stewart Beach, you can rent umbrellas and beach chairs, saving you the energy and trouble of bringing those to the beach yourself.
South Packery Channel Beach
South Packery Channel Beach (South Packery Jetty Beach) is a great beach to visit if you want to avoid the crowds at other Texas beaches. Fishermen frequent this area because it is well-known for its excellent fishing. Anglers are said to catch trout, kingfish, and grouper from the jetties here.
If fishing isn’t for you, try windsurfing, boogie boarding, paddle boarding, or snorkeling.
Magnolia Beach
When you arrive at Magnolia Beach, you will notice that there is a volleyball court, picnic tables, and barbecue grills for your enjoyment. The tranquil stretch of sandy beach is ideal for searching for hermit crabs or sea shells or simply relaxing. If you want to launch your boat, there is a marina nearby with a fishing pier and a public boat launch.
Port Aransas Beach
With 18 miles of sandy shore, families have plenty of room to stretch and find their best beach spot in Port Aransas.
The beach at Port Aransas is ideal for a day trip. You can go body surfing, hike the dunes, or spend the day relaxing on the beach. Summer and spring break are the busiest times for visiting Port Aransas.
Jamaica Beach
If you want to see a Texan beach with clear water, go to Jamaica Beach. Granted, the water is not as clear as in the Caribbean, but it’s clear by Texas standards.
You can try your hand at sand castle construction, surf fishing, or comb the beach for seashells. Jamaica Beach is frequently the cleanest beach in the area because it is not as crowded as other beaches.
McGee Beach
McGee Beach is a favorite among families due to its calm waters. When the calm waters of McGee Beach are combined with the variety of rentals available, this beach makes for a nice day on the water. Because of its central location on the island, you can visit this beach anytime!
Malaquite Beach
Malaquite Beach is so popular since it virtually affords visitors a relaxing day. Malaquite is one of the best beaches in Texas for families because of all of this and the beautiful Texas landscape that will surround you while you’re here.
Alamo Beach
Finding a vacation rental in Alamo is the best way to enjoy the area. This will let you spend the day at the beach, basking in the sun and surf. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Port Lavaca and an excellent place to spend the day!
Isla Blanca Beach
The beach at Isla Blanca is among the best in Texas. This gorgeously serene beach is one you won’t want to miss. It’s best to go in the summer, especially if you’re going to visit the amazing Beach Park, which has a fun water feature for kids.
High Island Beach
Far from the typical East Texas vibe, High Island Beach is a secluded retreat place, characterized by coarse sand dotted with colorful seashells. The magnificent landscape is rarely populated and only frequented by locals cooling their horses in the surf, ideal if you want to spend some alone time in unspoiled nature.
Takeaway
That’s the run-through of some of the top beaches in Texas. Before you pack your bags and belongings, evaluate which one can fulfill your dream getaway. These beaches boast their distinct beauty and appeal, but when summed up, it makes the Lone Star State one of the best beach destinations in the country!
