Texas boasts 376 miles of coastline, from High Island to South Padre Island. At Texas’s best beaches, travelers will find beaches for different types of recreational activities. From adventure sports to birding to kayaking, beachgoers will find a spot for them. Some beaches offer chair service; others offer accessible features like ramps and beach chairs. All offers waves, sun and good vibes. Here are the best beaches in Texas from its eastern edge to its southern border.
When is the best time to go to the Best Beaches in Texas
This is the best part: it’s beach weather year-round. In the winter, the beaches in Texas are home to winter Texans. Spring brings the families and the college kids for both Spring Break and Easter Weekend.
The summer is the high season. After Labor Day, the families go home and the birds arrive. Texas beaches are also prime birding spots.
11 Best Beaches in Texas
Padre Island National Seashore
Whitecaps Beach
Mustang Island State Park
North Packery Beach/JP Luby Beach
Stewart Beach
Galveston Island State Park
IB Magee Beach Park
Isla Blanca Park
Rockport Beach
Matagorda Bay Nature Park
East Beach
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Padre Island National Seashore in Corpus Christi
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf, it is the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. It also boasts three blue wave beaches: Malaquite Beach, Little Shell Beach and Big Shell Beach. Each is known for its clean, healthy and well-managed beaches that offer accessible features.
Padre Island National Seashore is more than a beach; it is a vital part of the ecosystem with natural dunes, coastal prairies and the Laguna Madre, one of six hyper-saline lagoons in the world. The first mile is a drivable beach, close to the NPS visitor center with showers, restrooms and picnic tables. Outside of that, you won’t have to worry about finding space to stretch out.
Padre Island National Seashore offers five different varieties of Gulf of Mexico sea turtles, including the Kemp’s ridley. Hatchling releases happen in the spring, and families can see the tiny turtles, unaided, make their way to the water.
Located at 20301 Park Road 22. Admission is $10 for a one-day pass.
Whitecaps Beach in Corpus Christi
With its location south of both Mustang Island State Park and the South Packery Channel, this beach is popular with locals with fewer crowds.
Whitecaps Beach is a destination for surfing, fishing and splashing. It is one of the closest beaches to the JFK Memorial Causeway.
Located off Park Road 22 at the end of Whitecap Blvd. Open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Corpus Beach Pass required, available at local retailers.
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Mustang Island State Park in Corpus Christi
With five miles of coastline, Mustang Island State Park is one of the best beaches in Texas. With its coastal sand dunes that reach heights of 30 feet, it’s a bit more quiet.
Mustang Island State Park is popular with beachgoers and birds. Over 400 different bird species have been recorded during the spring and fall migrations. The Mustang Island Paddling Trail features 20 miles to explore on the Corpus Christi Bay side of the park.
Camping is available with 48 sites with water and electricity, along with 50 primitive sites. A bathhouse with showers is located in the park.
Located at 9394 State Highway 361 in Corpus Christi. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $7 and kids 12 and under are free. Camping is additional.
North Packery Beach/JP Luby Beach
Popular with water sports enthusiasts, JP Luby is busy with surfers who know it as one of the best spots in the area to surf. This beach offers beach chair rentals. Also, visitors will find a bathhouse along with picnic tables and grills. Plus, there’s a seasonal lifeguard.
Located off Park Road 22 at the end of Zahn Rd. Open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Corpus Beach Pass required.
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Stewart Beach in Galveston
As one of the best beaches in Texas, Stewart Beach offers restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, a concession stand, rental chairs and umbrellas, and a playground. It’s the closest beach to downtown Galveston.
Families flock to this beach; it’s where Broadway Avenue meets the Seawall. Visitors park in the beach parking, but driving on the beach isn’t allowed. There’s a seasonal lifeguard and accessible beach chairs are available.
Located at 201 Seawall Blvd. Spring and Fall Hours: Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Sunday from 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Summer hours: Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Sunday from 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Parking is $15.
Galveston Island State Park
For a quieter beach, Galveston Island State Park is the spot. Since the park protects the land from the bay to the beach, visitors won’t see hotels, condos and other developments. It offers untouched beach dunes and driving isn’t allowed on this beach.
Open for day use and overnight camping, the beach offers restrooms with showers, covered picnic tables and boardwalks perfect for hiking or birding. It’s also a popular place to fish without a fishing license.
Located at 14901 FM 3005 on the west end of the island. Adult admission (13+) is $5, and kids 12 and under are free. Day-use reservation recommended on weekends and school breaks.
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IB Magee Beach Park in Port Aransas
On the northern point of the island, IB Magee Beach Park one of the best beaches in Texas. The Port Aransas Jetty is popular for fishing, and covered picnic tables are available.
Find 75 campsites with electricity and water, along with a bathhouse. Rinse-off showers are available as well. Primitive camping is allowed on the beach.
Located at 321 N on the Beach. Open from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Beach Parking permit required for Port Aransas beaches and available for $12 at IGA supermarket on the island. The parking area is separate from the beach.
Isla Blanca Park at South Padre
Located on the southernmost tip of South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Park features a mile of beach with some of the bluest water in Texas. Visitors will find two large pavilions with food concessions and beach rentals. There’s a restroom with shower facilities, plus shaded picnic areas.
Isla Blanca Park is known for its fishing too, with jetties and surf fishing, plus a bait stand. There is a campground and a boat ramp.
Located at 33174 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island. Admission is $12 per vehicle. Camping requires a reservation and rental is additional.
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Rockport Beach in Rockport
This is Texas’s first Blue Wave beach and a day-use beach. Visitors will find a walking trail, picnic cabanas, a windsurfing launch area and volleyball courts. For families, there are children’s playground areas, restrooms and showers.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find a water ski loop, a free boat launch, fishing piers and birding opportunities.
Located at 210 Seabreeze Drive, Rockport. Parking is $10 a daily
Matagorda Bay Nature Park in Matagorda
Located on the Texas coast where the Colorado River reaches the Gulf, Matagorda Bay Nature Park offers both bay and beach activities with lots of rental options. This less busy section of the Texas Coast is ideal for beachgoers wanting to get away from it all.
Managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority, this park offers Airstream trailers for rent, plus lodge rooms that are furnished in a fun beachy vibe. For RVers, there are also beach-front sites with hookups.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find kayaks for rent. Visitors enjoy outdoor recreation from beachcombing to wildlife walks (especially birding) to fishing. The Matagorda Bay Nature Park hosts programs like guided walks and kite-making for the kids.
Located at 6420 FM 2031, Matagorda, TX 77457. Day-use fee for adults is $5 and kids (12 and younger) enter for free.
East Beach in Galveston
This beach is the life of the party since it allows alcohol (no glass containers). With live music, volleyball tournaments and food trucks, the crowd here is youthful.
There are rentals available at East Beach, like chair and umbrella rental. Jet skis and parasails are also available.
Located at 1923 Boddeker Road, Galveston. Parking is $15 a day.
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