Where should I go for my next vacation? Is it time to pack my bags and head out of town? If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, then consider visiting some of these beautiful places.
Texas has a wide variety of natural beauty, from the rugged mountains to the sandy shores. Whether you prefer relaxing at a beach or hiking through the woods, there’s something for everyone.
Check out also: Best camping in Texas
Best Beaches in Texas MAP
16 Texas Beaches to Visit in 2023
Padre Island National Seashore — Corpus Christi
Padre Island National Seashore is one of the most breathtaking beaches you can visit, as the island forms a natural barrier.
Visitors can camp, kayak, windsurf and swim in this protected area. The soft and wide coastline is ideal for long walks.
In addition, aspiring naturalists can learn more about the local wildlife and conservation efforts from park rangers as they participate in informational programs.
During the summer, the Padre Island National Seashore hosts public sea turtle hatchling releases; don’t miss out if you get the chance!
Padre Island National Seashore is breathtakingly beautiful, whether you visit at sunrise, sunset, or any time in between.
Rockport Beach
Located 30 minutes west of Corpus Christi, Rockport Beach is considered by many people to be the best beach in Texas.
Visitors flock here for relaxation with calm waters, white sand, and gorgeous sunsets.
The only drawback to this location is the lack of shade. To combat this problem, the city recently opened two new public parks where you can relax under the trees or enjoy a picnic.
Visitors often return to this spot year after year, and even though there are other great beaches nearby, many Texans consider it their favorite. If you don’t want to rough it, several comfortable RV parks are located within walking distance from the shoreline.
It’s also close enough to San Antonio that you can easily spend a weekend exploring all that South Texas has to offer.
If you like fishing or photography, try to visit when migratory birds pass through the area during the spring. This is one of the most popular spots for birdwatching because the winds blow away pesky insects and keep the mosquitoes at bay.
So pack a lunch, grab a pair of binoculars, and set up a camp in the grassy areas near the shoreline. The views will take your breath away!
If you’re looking for an excellent place to relax with your family, then check out Rockport Beach.
San Luis Pass Beach
This beach is just south of Houston, near the Galveston Island State Park. It offers stunning views, as well as plenty of activities to engage in.
The waters there are calm but it is recommended that visitors do not swim within 100 yards of the waters due to the danger posed by riptides. However, swimmers can enjoy fishing and boating away from the shore.
Nature lovers will appreciate the nearby Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. This wetland complex offers several trails to walk, birdwatching spots, and fishing opportunities.
Stewart Beach
Stewards Beach is also located on Galveston Island, close to downtown. You can drive or take a bus to get there, but the trip may be too long for most visitors.
Once at the beach, you can walk along the boardwalk past the shops before reaching the main attraction: the Gulf of Mexico.
Many people choose to spend their time strolling along the famous Strand district. Several seafood restaurants and bars are offering live music.
Other attractions include the historic Moody Gardens theme park and the famous Museum of Science & History.
The beach is also family-friendly. Families with young kids can also enjoy its various activities.
Boca Chica
If you’re looking for an isolated beach that offers solitude and serenity, look no further. The Boca Chica State Park lies off the coast of South Padre Island.
On any given day, you’ll find families having fun together as they relax on the expansive sand.
The beach has a wide range of amenities, including restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, and a snack bar.
You should avoid walking across the wet sand at high tide because it’s extremely dangerous. Note that swimming isn’t allowed in the surf zone.
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is one of the few beaches in the U.S. that provides free Wi-Fi access and it is open daily from sunrise until sunset.
You have to drive down a sandy road to reach the beach, which makes parking a little complicated but it’s definitely worth it.
Hungry? There is a small food concession stand to buy snacks like ice cream cones and popcorn. There are also several eateries and hotels in the center of the town.
Matagorda Bay Beach
This beach is known for its crystal clear waters and stunning views during daylight hours. At night, you can see ships pass by on the bay.
It is surrounded by numerous restaurants, hotels, and stores. You can also rent lounge chairs and umbrellas for $10 per person per day.
A warning sign reminds visitors to stay alert while walking near the water. This area is home to alligators and many sea turtles as water temperatures here are warmer than in other parts of the state.
The Matagorda County Park District has a full-service marina that rents boats, kayaks, jet skis, surfboards, paddleboards, fishing rods, and more.
You can enjoy fresh seafood at local eateries like Bob’s Fish Camp and Captain Billy’s Seafood Shack. These businesses also provide accessible parking.
The Mustang Island
Mustang Island State Park is a five-mile stretch of sandy beach along the coast of Mustang Island where visitors can have the state park experience without having to venture far from the amenities of Port Aransas.
Mustang Island has magnificent trails to explore with your kayak or paddleboard. The park includes three sections of paddling trails that total over 20 miles and are known for both their beauty and abundant shallow water fishing.
This beach not only offers crystal clear waters and a beautiful coastline, but also a campground for tourists and locals to enjoy.
The park also offers hiking and biking trails, bird watching (over 400 species in the area) and extensive fishing options.
Malaquite Beach
Malaquite Beach in Texas can fulfill your ideal of a beach with fine white sands, spectacular azure seas and just the right amount of salty wind. Malaquite Beach is the ideal place to start your oceanfront vacation if you are visiting the area near Corpus Christi for the first time.
Visit the Malaquite Beach Visitor Center to learn more about the area and take advantage of the facilities, which include a bathhouse, restrooms, and a covered pavilion. There are picnic tables right on the beach, so find a spot and spend the day swimming and walking on the beach. Sand dollar finds are not uncommon on this stretch of beach.
Malaquite Beach is a wonderful destination if you want to observe wildlife and nature. The natural beauty of the area is unique compared to other places on the Texas coastline, and bird-watching and observing the shoreline from the elevated overlooks are excellent ways to pass the time.
Seawall Beach
Seawall Beach is one of Galveston’s most popular beaches, as it is located along the famous Seawall Walkway in the center of the island.
On any given day, you can see beachgoers enjoying the waves and relaxing by the water, while the bustling Pleasure Pier can be seen in the distance.
It’s easy to rent cabanas on this beach and find a comfortable spot on the sand. Swimming is a popular pastime at Seawall Beach, but you can also just relax and take in the scenery by strolling along the sand or admiring the statues along the boardwalk.
There are no concessions or restrooms at Seawall Beach, but during the day you can simply cross the street to find restaurants and other amenities.
Isla Blanca Park & Beach
This beach receives high marks for both its scenery and amenities, which include a boardwalk, easily accessible restrooms, picnic areas, covered pavilions, and concessions.
This beach is located in the southernmost part of South Padre Island and offers plenty of space for activities such as beach biking, kite flying, clam digging, and sandcastle building. Because of the reliable waves coming in from the Gulf, this beach is very popular for swimming. The other end of the beach near the pier is a great place to watch the boats passing through the shipping channel, and where local fishermen look for the catch of the day.
Isla Blanca Park is a convenient place to spend a day on the water without having to return to the hotel or go in search of meals. There is a daily fee to use the park. The park is accessible from many locations and hotels on South Padre Island, as the Island Metro stop is located there.
Port Aransas
Spring breakers adore a Texas beach party. In Port Aransas, close to Mustang Island, there are several enjoyable activities to partake in Port “A,” both on and off the shore.
Hotels in Port Aransas are fully booked for spring break, and don’t expect to snag a reservation at the last minute; you’ll need to book well in advance.
During Texas Spring Break, families may opt to visit Rockport or Fulton, which include music venues and bars but a much calmer environment than Port A.
Port Aransas is a popular spring break destination for Texas vacationers due to its vibrant nightlife scene.
There are various attractions in the area to keep everyone engaged. During the high season, visitors can enjoy exquisite dining at local restaurants in Port A’s downtown area or attend live performances!
Other Beaches In Texas
The above list of seven is frequented by visitors and locals alike. Other serene beaches you can visit include San José Island, Mustang Island, or Lighthouse Beach. If you feel like getting away from civilization, you can even go camping on remote coves like Conejos Point.
Apart from sunbathing, the beaches offer many other activities, including surfing, fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, playing golf, hiking, bird watching, boating, horseback riding, scuba diving, sailing, swimming, shopping, sightseeing, and more. You can bring your equipment if you prefer this option instead of renting it from local vendors.
Texas’ beaches vary widely depending on what type of weather and climate you’d like to experience; thus, we’ve listed them based on temperature ranges from coldest to warmest.
Weather in Texas in Spring
Weather in Texas in Fall
Weather in Texas in Winter
