15 Best Beaches in Texas (Guide to Discover)

Along the Gulf of Mexico, the Texas coastline includes almost 370 miles of beautiful beaches. There is a beach for any kind of desired retreat. Some of the well-known destinations include East Beach in Galveston, the environmentally preserved beauty of Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christi, Rockport’s Blue Wave Beach, and more. 

There are several outstanding beaches that provide even more, even though every beach along the coast has breathtaking vistas that set the mood for wonderful days spent in the sand and beside the blue ocean water. Some beaches are well-liked for their social scenes and seaside pursuits, such building sandcastles and windsurfing, while others are well-liked for their seclusion, beachcombing, and shell-hunting.

Review our list of the best beaches in Texas to find out what appeals to you for the ideal day by the water.

Best Beaches in Texas

1. Whitecap Beach

One of the reasons Whitecap Beach near Corpus Christi tops the list of the best Texas beaches is the appeal of its pure white sands. It’s entertaining to watch the athletes battle the waves at this beach because it’s one of the spots where surfers congregate when the water’s ideal.

This is a public beach, so it’s a good choice if you want a lively atmosphere with wonderful swimming along with volleyball and bonfires. Camping overnight is permitted, and beach sports like kiteboarding and horseback riding are popular.

Address – Whitecap Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas

2. Isla Blanca Park & Beach

On South Padre Island, there is a beautiful stretch of sand known as Isla Blanca Beach. One of the cleanest beaches in Texas, this beach receives great honors not only for its landscape but also for its activities and amenities, which include a promenade, easily accessible restrooms, camping sites, shaded cabanas, and kiosks.

This beach lies on the southernmost part of the island and offers plenty of room for activities like beach biking, kite sailing, shell hunting, and sandcastle building. 

Because of the reliable waves pouring in from the Gulf, this beach is well-liked for swimming. The far end of the beach near the jetty is an excellent location to observe boats moving through the shipping channel.

Isla Blanca Park is a convenient place to spend a day by the water without having to go back to the hotel or go out in search of meals. There is a day fee to use the park. The park is accessible from numerous South Padre Island locales and hotels thanks to the Island Metro stop that is located there.

Address – 33174 State Park Road 100, South Padre Island, Texas

3. Stewart Beach

Stewart Beach in Galveston is one of the Texas coast’s family-friendly beaches. The park has a lot of activities available, including playgrounds for kids, lifeguards on duty, and other attractions. Stewart Beach features easy access to the beach and paved parking.

Stewart Beach’s popularity is partly attributable to its handy position on Galveston Island, close to Seawall Boulevard and nearby landmarks and dining options. Even on busy days, there is still ample sand to choose a cozy location. Cabana and umbrella rentals are also available.

During the high season, from March to October, there is a fee to enter Stewart Beach, although this includes access to concessions and facilities near the beachfront.

Address – 201 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, Texas

4. Padre Island National Seashore

The Padre Island National Seashore, which is close to Corpus Christi, is known for its undisturbed beauty and clean natural surroundings. It is one of the prettiest beaches in Texas. It is the world’s longest unspoilt barrier island, with 66 miles of beaches surrounded by conserved natural characteristics including towering sand dunes and protected animals.

Even during peak tourist season, there is plenty of space due to the beach’s clean, soft, and wide expanse of sand. This beach is excellent for surfing, shell hunting, camping, bird watching, and unwinding with no plans under a beach umbrella.

The Padre Island National Seashore is also notable for its Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hatchlings and releases, which take place from June through August. The public is welcome to watch the releases, which are entertaining activities for a day at the beach.

Address – Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, Texas

5. Mustang Island

In terms of name recognition, Mustang Island ranks among the most well-known beaches in Texas, and it lives up to its reputation in terms of aesthetics. It is an 18-mile stretch of beach between Port Aransas and Corpus Christi, with a gorgeous natural coastline framed by tall sand dunes.

Swimmable waters and shell-hunting walks along the shoreline can be found at Mustang Island’s beach. The sand is appropriate for beach buggies.  A great place for first-timers on Mustang Island is at Mustang Island State Park if you’re not sure where to go.

Address – 9394 TX-361, Corpus Christi, Texas

6. Port Aransas Beach

Port Aransas Beach has a relaxing beach mood with a cottage-community feel, so it’s no surprise that this beach is famous for its communal experience. The calm waves pour in from the Gulf of Mexico making it one of the nice beaches in Texas for swimming.

This beach is great for families and groups looking for a more social experience, with beach activities like volleyball, sandcastle building competitions, and nightly bonfires available. The beach is located in the heart of Port Aransas and is easily accessible, making it ideal for overnight camping, which is also permitted.

Address – Port Aransas Beach Road, Port Aransas, Texas

7. East Beach

Galveston Island’s East Beach is one of the busiest and most well-liked beaches. This beach’s popularity is reflected in the design of the 80-acre beach park, which has plenty of parking and numerous picnic pavilions. At East Beach, swimming is popular, but so is interacting with other people.

The beach park offers beach chair and cabana rentals, beach volleyball, a performance stage, and regular festivals and events. There are numerous ways to access East Beach. A good way to extend your beach day is to go hiking, bird viewing, or kayaking at a natural preserve close to entry #2.

Address – 1923 Boddeker Road, Gavleston, Texas

8. South Padre Island City Beach

A convenient place to enjoy the warm Gulf seas that this region of Texas is famous for is the six-mile-long South Padre Island City Beach. The city beach offers great swimming and a wide variety of shells along the shore. The panorama changes as you go along the city beach coastline.

There are 25 entry locations to South Padre Island City Beach, and each one offers something unique, so do your homework before spending a day by the water. While some merely offer a short boardwalk to the beach and lack amenities like restrooms, paved parking spaces, or bike racks, others are more rustic.

Address – South Padre Island, Texas

9. Malaquite Beach

Malaquite Beach on the Padre Island National Seashore is a Texas beach that can live up to your picture of beautiful white sands and enormous turquoise water.  

If you’re visiting the area around Corpus Christi for the first time, Malaquite Beach is an excellent site to begin your seaside vacation.

Visit the Malaquite Beach Visitor Center to learn more about the area and to use the facilities, which include the bathhouse, restrooms, and a covered pavilion. You can choose a spot for the day and enjoy swimming and beachcombing because there are picnic tables right on the sand. Sand dollars are commonly found along this stretch of beach.

Malaquite Beach is a wonderful place to go if you want to see wildlife and the natural world. The area’s natural beauty is unique along the Texas coastline. 

Birding and watching the shoreline from the elevated vantage points are excellent ways to pass the time.

Address – 20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, Texas

10. Surfside Beach

This beach is ideal for families or couples who prefer a less crowded setting because it is quieter and has a more untouched natural setting. It is a great place to go seashell hunting or go on a horseback excursion after sunset, and the waters are suitable for swimming.

You can access this beach from a number of places, including Surfside Jetty County Park. It features amenities like restrooms and showers, as well as a six-mile jetty that is interesting to walk down for people-watching, seeing local fishermen, and watching oil tankers cruising past in the Gulf.

Address – Monument Dr, Surfside Beach, Texas

11. Rockport Beach

Rockport Beach has been named the first Blue Wave Beach in Texas, making it one of the top coastal destinations. Even though the beach is only one mile long, it is an exceptionally well-kept and stunning section of coastline.

There is a free area of Rockport Beach that is open to the public. The beach features manicured sand and plenty of space for swimming, camping, playgrounds, hiking trails, restrooms, shade cabanas, a saltwater lake, and other activities.

Rockport Beach is the only one with the Blue Wave Beach classification, which indicates that it upholds the strictest environmental requirements. This beach is visually stunning whether you intend to sunbathe there, take pictures of it, or engage in any of the numerous beachside activities.

Address – 210 Seabreeze Drive, Rockport, Texas

12. South Padre Island County Beach

The majority of South Padre Island’s county beach is on the north end, and it offers the most thrilling beach experiences. The best option is to enter the county beach from either the King Atwood or the Andy Bowie County Parks, however there are many public access points to it.

Both parks have a day-use fee, but the accessibility to concrete parking, restrooms, and picnic spaces makes it accessible for everyone, especially families who want to go to the beach quickly and easily.

The South Padre Island County Beach is particularly beautiful, with steep wind-tossed sand dunes framing the seashore and is one of the nicest beaches in Texas. This beach is the perfect place to unwind with a beach tent while taking in the soft waves that lap the coast. Additionally, shell-hunters will enjoy this beach.

Address – 6100 South Padre Blvd, Texas

13. Seawall Beach

Seawall Beach, located in the central area of the island, is one of the most popular beaches in Galveston. Every day, beachgoers enjoy the waves and relax by the water, with the bustling Pleasure Pier in the background.

Due to the beach’s popularity, it is simple to hire cabanas and secure a cozy spot in the sand. While swimming is a popular pastime at Seawall Beach, visitors may also just relax and take in the scenery by strolling along the sand or admiring the statues along the seawall promenade.

There are no restrooms or concessions at Seawall Beach, but it is easy to stroll across the street throughout the day to access restaurants and other comforts.

Address – Seawall Boulevard, Galveston, Texas

14. Crystal Beach

Because of the extra adventure required to get here, Crystal Beach is a top Texas beach to visit. The beach lies on the Bolivar Peninsula, which is only accessible by a brief ferry journey from Galveston. This beach is more peaceful, and the most pristine landscapes in south Texas serve to highlight the splendour of the Gulf of Mexico.

This calm beach is ideal for taking a snooze under a cabana, but it’s also good for swimming and for enjoying leisurely strolls along the sea. This pet-friendly beach has semi-hard sand that is ideal for more demanding activities like jogging and fat-tire bicycling.

Crystal Beach is accessible by riding the Bolivar Ferry from the east end of Galveston Island for 15 minutes and then driving a few minutes to the public beach access sites. During the ferry ride, keep an eye out for dolphin pods, which nearly always accompany the boat.

Address – Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston, Texas

15. Boca Chica Beach

The 8-mile-long Boca Chica Beach in Texas is the furthest south you can go from the border without ever entering Mexico. The only thing that separates the two is the powerful Rio Grande, which flows eastward into the Gulf.

This serene beach is as wild and unspoiled as they get and is a part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which is protected by the state. There aren’t any facilities nearby, so make sure you pack all the food, water, and beach supplies you’ll need.

Even if it is inevitably inconvenient, Boca Chica’s originality is precisely due to its lack of development. The atmosphere is calm and easygoing, ideal for enjoying life’s simpler pleasures such as swimming, snorkeling, fishing, birding, or simply soaking up the sun’s rays while flipping through a favorite book.

Final Thoughts

The advantage of having every beach along a single coastline is that you know exactly what to expect no matter which one you visit. In Texas, this implies breathtaking natural scenery, warm and tranquil Gulf Coast waters, diverse and abundant fauna, general accessibility, and family-friendly activities ranging from fishing to kayaking.

Although Texas is large, no beach is completely out of reach if you stay in Houston, Corpus Christi, or San Antonio. Some beaches are only a day’s drive — or even minutes — away from the sand and waves.

So instead of going to the pool when the weather gets hot down south, pack up the car and go for a drive to see what all the fuss is about.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Check Out: Best Weekend Getaways In Texas