16 Best Beaches in Texas to Visit in 2023

While you consider the best beaches in the USA, you would possibly consider visiting Miami, California, or maybe the Washington shoreline. Nonetheless, overlooking Texas seashores is a travesty. Texas seashores usually are not not like the pristine, mega-popular Florida seashores. Texas seashores are dreamy – with fewer crowds, lovely clear sand dunes, and loads of wildlife.

Prime Seashores in Texas

Whether or not beach-goers need the cleanest seashores formally acknowledged by the Clear Seashores Coalition or only a quiet seashore to take pleasure in with a guide, Texas seashores are incredible. All the coast of East Texas is brimming with sandy shores.

These are the very best 16 seashores in Texas. Seize your towel and solar cream as a result of these greatest seashores are all price a go to.

1. Crystal Seaside

A 7-mile stretch of unassuming-looking white-gray sand, Crystal Seaside is likely one of the greatest seashores in Texas for a peaceable expertise. There are not any beachfront eating places and infrastructure – simply outstretched sand and the occasional dolphin pod inflicting short-term mayhem within the water. Crystal Seaside is likely one of the cleanest seashores in Texas and is right for swimming or sunbathing. And by way of busyness, you’ll be fortunate to stroll previous greater than a handful of individuals. The dimensions of Crystal Seaside means you solely actually should work together with individuals if you wish to.

Crystal Seaside is on the Bolivar Peninsula, round an hour and a half drive from Houston. It’s best reached by automobile, as public transport is comparatively restricted.

• Crystal Crab is the place to remain close to Crystal Seaside, simply 350 yards away on foot. The vacation dwelling affords a self-catered expertise with an opulent balcony.

2. Rockport Seaside

Rockport Seaside is angelic wanting. This Texas seashore arcs in a easy curve with golden sand and conventional seashore umbrellas. Your first impression is that it seems to be serene, and that’s solely correct. Even its waters are peaceable. Rockport Seaside is ideal for individuals who desire a fast paddle, as its waters are shallow and delicate.

Rockport Seaside is within the sheltered Aransas Bay, simply north of Corpus Christi. The seashore is protected against the winds and currents of the Gulf of Mexico by San Jose Island. Its location is what provides it its most engaging high quality – peacefulness. Sitting on Rockport Seaside appears like sitting in your personal personal world.

For those who keep in Corpus Christi, you’ll should drive as there is no such thing as a public transport possibility. It takes round 38 minutes by automobile.

3. Surfside Seaside

Surfside Seaside is one other little city seashore. Surfside has an actual group really feel and is nicknamed ‘household seashore’ due to its pleasant, laid-back vibes. Whereas its waters do get uneven typically, for probably the most half, it’s appropriate for swimming and an excellent seashore to loosen up on. One other large draw is how incredible Surfside Seaside is for fishing. The seashore is a good fishing vacation spot – so positively deliver your fishing rod for a fun-filled day.

Its ambiance bagged Surfside Seaside a spot on our checklist. The happy-go-lucky vibe makes it among the best seashores in Texas. Surfside Seaside can also be comparatively centrally positioned, simply 70 minute drive from Houston.

4. North Seaside

Neglect distant islands and quiet seashores; North Seaside is likely one of the greatest seashores in Texas for an city seashore day. The seashore sits on North Seaside island – related to the middle of Corpus Christi by the Harbor Bridge and surrounded by main sights like Texas State Aquarium and USS Lexington. North Seaside itself can also be heaving with motion.

North Seaside wiggled its method onto our checklist due to its fixed pleasure and concrete character. In addition to, it is usually one of many solely seashores in Texas accessible by public transport in case you keep in a metropolis. From Corpus Christi metropolis middle, you possibly can hop on the 76 bus and be at North Seaside in 25 minutes.

5. Boca Chica Seaside

Boca Chica Seaside is likely one of the greatest seashores in Texas. Why? Due to its rockets. Boca Chica Seaside is correct subsequent to SpaceX Spaceport, and you’ve got a full view of the rockets from its sandy shore. For guests inquisitive about house, this can be a exhausting temptation to shake. In addition to, what number of rockets do you see parked subsequent to seashores? It’s simple to see why Boca Chica Seaside made our checklist.

Boca Chica Seaside can also be one of many prettiest seashores in Texas. It’s surrounded by coastal marshes and clay dunes – splendid for hen watching and admiring wildlife. It’s positioned on the east coast, proper above the Mexico border. Sandwiched between Boca Chica State Park and Brazos Island Park, it’s a seashore that belongs to nature. And only a 50-minute drive from Brownsville, it’s simply accessible by automobile.

• Casa Roble is a ravishing house in Downtown Brownsville with a patio with backyard views.

6. South Packery Jetty Seaside

South Packery Jetty Seaside is greatest noticed by its large wood jetty. The jetty acts as a fisherman’s wharf, with rows of fishermen poised, prepared for his or her subsequent chunk. South Packery Jetty Seaside is quiet however well-loved – attracting a handful of tourists, aka these within the know.

Would you like an additional journey? South Packery Jetty Seaside permits in a single day tenting. You will get to the seashore by driving simply 25 minutes from Corpus Christi after which use it as a base in a single day – waking as much as the ocean within the morning. We love South Packery Jetty Seaside’s handy location and laid-back vibe. With in a single day tenting and fishing allowed and barely any crowds, it’s a incredible seashore to go to in Texas.

• Island Escape is a beautiful two-bedroom vacation dwelling simply 550 yards from South Packery Channel Seaside.

7. South Padre Island

South Padre Island has an enormous 12-mile stretch of seashore that runs alongside its resort city shenanigans. The seashore at South Padre Island is swimmable and spacious. It is usually alcohol pleasant and backed by a few of the most energetic bars and seaside leisure.

South Padre Island is likely one of the greatest seashores in Texas if you need a tacky seaside getaway. There are simply so many things to do. It’s backed by theme parks and seashore resorts, with all of the resort facilities that give a seashore an infectious sense of enjoyable. It’s a three-hour drive from Corpus Christi or 40 minutes from Brownsville.

• This cute condo is inside strolling distance of South Padre Island seashore and sleeps as much as six visitors.

8. Magnolia Seaside

Magnolia Seaside is gorgeous. Let’s simply begin there. The 1.5-mile-long seashore is thought for being massively RV pleasant. Its hard-packed sand is right for seashore drives. Because it permits in a single day tenting, Magnolia Seaside is in style amongst RV campers. One other large bonus is its flush bogs and showers onsite – even boasting sizzling water. Remoted and dreamily so, Magnolia Seaside is a quiet spot to spend undisturbed time on the coast. It’s among the best Texas seashores for RV house owners.

Magnolia Seaside itself is a tiny group with little in the best way of services or facilities. Nonetheless, you might be only a 15-minute drive into Port Lavaca, which has all of the city requirements. To get to this Texas seashore, a automobile is the easiest way ahead, and apart from, you wish to benefit from seashore driving, don’t you?

9. Galveston Island East Seaside

In Galveston Island East Seaside, actions and leisure are the legal guidelines of the land. The seashore sits on the far east of Galveston Island and is greatest identified for its relaxed legal guidelines – together with being one of many solely Galveston seashores to allow alcohol. Live shows and events; you title it and Galveston has bought it. Galveston Island East Seaside has every little thing from nightlife to actions like horseback using and seashore combing. From its wood boardwalk, you’ll overlook all of this mayhem.

The seashore is only a 12-minute drive from Galveston city and an hour from Houston. Galveston Island East Seaside is on our checklist as a result of it affords top-tier leisure. If you’d like an occasion, it is likely one of the greatest seashores in Texas.

10. Lighthouse Seaside

This sandy shore is likely one of the greatest Texas seashores for youngsters and households. The tiny stretch of sand is backed by a kids’s playground, splash pad, and coated picnic shelters. Its age-appropriate facilities are what caught our eye. In brief, Lighthouse Seaside is a child’s paradise.

Lighthouse Seaside is located on the fringe of Port Lavaca. It’s tucked in simply earlier than the Port Lavaca Causeway, which spans throughout Lavaca Bay. It’s simply walkable for these staying in Port Lavaca. Alternatively, you possibly can drive to the seashore in a matter of minutes.

11. Stewart Seaside

Stewart Seaside is one other Galveston Island gem. Nonetheless, not like East Seaside, it’s way more famend as a family-friendly coastal spot. Alcohol just isn’t permitted, which invitations a quieter crowd. Nonetheless, overlook the lull of lengthy seashore days with no actions; Stewart Seaside has masses to do, which caught our consideration. Households can get entangled with volleyball and big Jenga and entry a playground. Stewart Seaside is ideal for households with older kids desirous to get extra lively.

Except for all these actions, Stewart Seaside has chairs and umbrellas, bathe and restroom services, snack bars, and even seashore wheelchairs if wanted. Situated simply exterior Galveston city, it’s additionally simple to succeed in. You’ll be able to stroll to Stewart Seaside or drive minutes from Galveston. Alternatively, drive from Houston in round an hour.

• An apartment with an infinity pool sits simply steps from Stewart Seaside.

12. Matagorda Bay Nature Park

Matagorda Bay Nature Park is way from only a seashore. The park encompasses quite a few leisure actions like putt a hole-in-one, in addition to wetlands and an RV park. It’s an organized space, and there’s even a customer middle. You’ll be able to take pleasure in strolls on the seashore, kayaking the wetlands, and recognizing wildlife – Matagorda Bay is actually a hen sanctuary, given its protected standing. Matagorda Seaside is simply subsequent to the opening of the Colorado River. As a two-hour drive from Houston, it’s best accessed by automobile.

We love Matagorda Bay Nature Park as an entertaining place to go to for wildlife watching and outside water-related actions. You will need to be aware that Matagorda Seaside just isn’t a swimming seashore. The world is in style amongst sharks and harmful on account of rip currents and undertow. Matagorda is likely one of the greatest Texas seashores to expertise from land or in a kayak.

• This beautiful Matagorda townhouse has a deck, three bedrooms, and entry to an enormous communal pool.

13. Mcgee Seaside

Mcgee Seaside is a stylish seashore in downtown Corpus Christi. This Corpus Christi seashore is ideal for an city dawn or sundown, with clear waters and recent, rubbish-free sands. It’s set again in opposition to Shoreline Boulevard. Mcgee Seaside has that hotel-backed, resort-style vibe. But it additionally has a residential really feel, which is sweet and stress-free. You’ll be able to relax with a guide, have a fast chunk to eat at a picnic desk, or lease water sports activities gear.

Mcgee Seaside is on our checklist as it’s a actual downtown space – good for stress-free exterior the inside metropolis middle. It’s simple to succeed in too. You’ve got free parking and might attain Mcgee Seaside by automobile in 10 minutes from the town middle. Or, if public transport is extra your fashion, in simply half-hour utilizing the bus.

14. Mustang Seaside

Mustang Seaside will get its title from the herds of untamed horses that when lived there. The seashore is extra well-known now for its sea turtle inhabitants and site in an untouched barrier island park – Mustang Island State Park. It’s magical for mountain climbing and recognizing wildlife, an exercise greatest skilled beneath the watchful steering of the Ranger Applications. The state park has 5 miles of shoreline, so be ready for some mountain climbing.

Mustang Seaside is a part of the three,954-acre Mustang Island State Park, positioned on North Padre Island. It’s best to succeed in from Port Aransas, which is only a 15-minute drive away. From Corpus Christi, it’s a 25-minute drive. We love how Mustang Seaside is so untouched and a haven for wildlife and nature.

• Happy Place is an excellent two-bedroom house with a sizzling tub and a communal swimming pool.

15. Padre Island Nationwide Seashore

Padre Island Nationwide Seashore is an enormous part of 66 miles of shoreline on Padre Island – an enormous barrier island mendacity between Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. It goes with out saying that pure magnificence is likely one of the greatest attracts of visiting its seashores. Nonetheless, there’s additionally one other bonus; the seashore is an important nesting place for the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. The ridley sea turtle is probably the most endangered of all sea turtles. Padre Island Nationwide Seashore has been devoted to defending the animal since 1978.

Padre Island Nationwide Seashore is likely one of the greatest seashores in Texas for seeing sea turtles. And if you wish to help conservation makes an attempt, you may get concerned with the seashores’ multi-agency efforts. Padre Island Nationwide Seashore is greatest accessed by automobile and takes round half-hour from Corpus Christi.

• This four-bedroom condo is inside strolling distance from the seashore and boasts BBQ services and a swimming pool.

16. San José Island

San José Island is a 21-mile-long barrier island on the Gulf Coast, solely accessible from Port Aransas by ferry. This distance means San José Island is especially empty of human inhabitation and has loads of quiet coastlines. San José Island is famed for its clear seashores. As a privately owned island, it has loads of rules to guard its wildlife. Nonetheless, guests can nonetheless entry all ‘public’ areas – appreciating the incredible quantity of uncommon seashells, together with sand {dollars}, starfish, and lightning whelks.

We love San José Island’s remoted attract. Having to catch a ferry makes it really feel all of the extra expeditionary. To succeed in this Texas seashore, guests should drive to Port Aransas earlier than crusing throughout the passenger ferry.

• The Place at Port Aransas is an ideal base for catching the ferry to San José Island. Friends additionally entry free Wi-Fi and a shared lounge.

To Conclude

A few of these Texas seashores are amongst the best places to visit in the USA. We love the pure magnificence of those seashores in Texas and the experiences they provide guests. You would launch child sea turtles alongside Padre Island Nationwide Seashore or fish on North Seaside. Among the best issues about Texas’ quiet seashores is that they’re a nature lover’s paradise. You’ll be able to swap people-watching for hen watching, fishing, or helping with sea turtle conservation.

In search of some extra Texas inspiration? We now have an entire information on the best things to do in Austin – or a fun fact guide if you need one thing extra light-hearted.