Best Texas Beaches
Where should I travel on my next vacation, and how long should I stay? Is it time to put my belongings in a suitcase and leave town? If you want to get away from the rush and bustle of daily life, you might consider visiting any of these breathtaking locations on your next vacation.
Texas is home to a diverse range of natural beauty, ranging from steep mountains to sandy coasts and all in between. Because Texas has more than 370 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico’s turquoise and green sea, the state offers a wide variety of beach holiday opportunities.
Take part in water sports such as jet skiing, sailing, sea kayaking, fishing, and snorkeling. Gather some petal pink shells while having a walk down the beach at sunset, all the while allowing the warm-water surf to dance about your feet and around your legs. After all, Texas is renowned as the top bird-watching location in the United States, so spend the day letting your imagination run wild! It’s even possible to saddle up and go horseback riding down the beach, in true Texas flair.
Table of Contents
Galveston Island East Beach
Galveston Island East Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Texas, if not the whole United States! On the eastern side of the island, this Texas beach is definitely one of the most spectacular sites to witness the sunrise or sunset in the whole state, making it one of the most incredible places to visit in the United States.
There are several facilities available at Galveston Island East Beach, including a pavilion, showers and restrooms, a rental location for all of your beach necessities, such as chairs, and even a playground for children.
The fact that all types of alcohol are permitted on this Texas beach is something that many people appreciate. For this reason, parties are often hosted here, and there are a variety of activities conducted here throughout the year.
Typically, the concerts hosted here will include the sale of alcoholic beverages, which you may sip while sitting beneath the magnificent pavilion.
Crystal Beach
Make your way to Crystal Beach, one of the nicest beaches in Texas, if you want to discover a truly hidden treasure. Whatever time of year it is, it is always quite serene and clean, and it is hardly crowded at all.
Located 15 miles north of Houston, in the city of Baytown, this beach is a great place to relax. This is a popular destination for residents who come to take advantage of the crystal clean waters. You may take a stroll along the coastline or hire kayaks or paddleboards to explore the surrounding region even more thoroughly.
A scene from the film “Gattaca,” starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, was filmed on this beach. During the shooting, the players constructed their own dwellings along the shoreline, which may still be seen today.
Swimming is permitted at Crystal Beach, but it is also one of the greatest spots to come if you just want to relax by the ocean for a few hours on a sunny day. Anglers like the water conditions in and around Crystal Beach, and the fishing pier gives a fantastic vantage point from which to see the excitement.
North Beach
North Beach, situated in Corpus Christi, Texas, is considered to be one of the nicest beaches in the state. This is one of the more popular destinations for a Texas beach vacation, but that is mostly due to the fact that it is a beautiful region to explore.
The beach itself is wonderful, and you can wander about and relax while listening to the waves, but there’s so much more to this place.
Spend some time at the aquarium, where you can see all of the aquatic animals, and then stop by the restaurant for a delicious supper. You can also ride the Ferris wheel for some spectacular views of the surrounding region.
In addition, there’s the wonderful Corpus Christi Bay Trail, which is paved and well-suited for strolling or riding.
Rockport Beach
Rockport Beach, which is located 30 minutes west of Corpus Christi, is often regarded as the nicest beach in Texas by many. If you walk or ride your bike to the beach, it is absolutely free to visit; however, there is a $10 parking charge if you drive to Rockport Beach.
Visitors come here for the tranquility of the waves, the white sand, and the breathtaking sunsets. It’s also near enough to San Antonio that you can easily spend a weekend there discovering all that South Texas has to offer, if you choose.
If you like fishing or photography, try to come during the spring migration of migrating birds that pass through the region to see what you may find. This is one of the most popular places for birding since the wind blows away troublesome insects and keeps the mosquitoes at bay, making it one of the most enjoyable locations.
Take a peek at Rockport Beach if you’re searching for a great area to unwind with your family and get some exercise. However, due to the fact that Rockport Beach is a bird sanctuary, dogs are not permitted on the beach.
Isla Blanca Beach
This breathtakingly gorgeous and quiet beach is one that you won’t want to miss out on at any cost. It’s situated on South Padre Island and is considered to be one of the most kid-friendly beaches in Texas, according to TripAdvisor.
When visiting, the greatest time to go is during the summer, particularly if you intend on dropping by the beautiful Beach Park while you’re there, which has a nice water feature for youngsters.
The beach is accessible for a nominal cost of $5 each visit. It’s important to come early if you need to hire anything, such as chairs or umbrellas, since they only have a limited number of items available for rental each day. The beach is also well-known for being quite crowded!
San Luis Pass Beach
Located just south of Houston, in the Galveston Island State Park, this beach is a popular destination. In addition to offering breathtaking vistas, it also provides an abundance of activities to participate in.
Because of the risk presented by riptides, it is not suggested that tourists swim within 100 yards of the ocean because of the calmness of the waters. Swimmers, on the other hand, may enjoy fishing and boating activities away from the beach.
The neighboring Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge will appeal to those who like the outdoors. This wetland complex has a number of walking routes, as well as birding and fishing possibilities.
Stewart Beach
Stewards Beach is another beach on Galveston Island that is near to the city center. There are many options for getting there, including driving or taking a bus, although the journey may be too lengthy for most people. To get access to the beach, you must first pay the parking cost, which varies depending on whether you visit during the week or on the weekend.
Many individuals opt to spend their leisure time wandering around the famed Strand neighborhood in central London. Live music is being played at a number of seafood restaurants and taverns.
Throughout Stewart Beach, there are lifeguard pavilions that keep an eye on the ocean as you enjoy yourself. There are also beach volleyball courts, picnic shelters, concessions, and, of course, clean public bathrooms and showers. There is also a playground for children.
The beach is also suitable for families. Families with small children may also take advantage of the different activities on offer.
Boca Chica Beach
Looking for a secluded beach that provides isolation and serenity? Look no further than this location. It is located off the shore of South Padre Island and is known as Boca Chica State Park.
It is common to see families enjoying a good time together while relaxing on the wide expanse of sand at any time. In addition to being one of the nicest beaches in Texas, it is routinely ranked as one of the best in the country, not only because it is free to enter but also because it is open 24 hours a day, allowing you to spend a late night beside the ocean.
Bathrooms, showers, volleyball courts, and a snack bar are just a few of the facilities available at this popular beach destination. A total of more than 1,000 acres of land are dedicated to Boca Chica Beach. Keep in mind, though, that it is not as opulent as some of the other beaches on the Texas coast.
It is highly perilous to walk on wet sand at high tide, therefore you should avoid doing so at all costs. It should be noted that swimming is not permitted in the surf zone.
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is one of the few beaches in the United States that offers free Wi-Fi connection, and it is available from dawn to sunset every day of the year.
To get to the beach, you have to drive down a sandy road, which makes parking a bit difficult, but it is absolutely worth it. This beach is well-known for being very clean, and you can drive your vehicle directly into the sand.
Despite having a population of fewer than 500 people, this is the ideal location to visit if you’re seeking for the nicest beaches in Texas to relax on.
Felling Hungry? You may purchase munchies like ice cream cones and popcorn at a tiny food concession stand on the premises.
San Jose Island
Even though the island is privately owned, visitors are welcome to use the public regions of the beach on the island. This is an excellent location for seeing a variety of bird species, shell hunting, and fishing!
There are around 20 miles or so of gorgeous sandy beach all over the island, so if you’re up for a stroll, you’ll be sure to locate a calm location especially for you and your family to relax!
To go to San Jose Beach, you’ll need to travel to Port Aransas and board a boat.
Matagorda Bay Nature Park
Everyone who enjoys the outdoors is invited! Matagorda Bay Nature Park is an excellent destination for a beach vacation in Texas.
Not technically a beach, but rather a full natural preserve along the ocean that includes a campground, allowing you to spend the night right next to the water at one of the nineteen waterfront campsites available.
With more than 1,300 acres to explore, there is much to keep you entertained, particularly if you are traveling with family and youngsters under the age of 12.
Swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, bird viewing, golfing, kayaking, rafting, and other activities are available. This location also hosts summer camps, which may be a lot of fun if you live in the neighborhood.
McGee Beach
Among the several beaches in Corpus Christi, there is also McGee Beach, which is generally even more crowded than North Beach, and is considered to be one of the greatest beaches in Texas.
In addition to being incredibly well-maintained and dog-friendly, it has some of the most stunning white sand seen anywhere in Texas.
McGee Beach, which is located directly on Corpus Christi Bay, is very clean and has free parking nearby.
Families visiting to the region with smaller children will appreciate the tranquility of the lake, which makes it an excellent choice for them. The beach, like a few other beaches on our list, is open on a daily basis throughout the year.