Sandcastle Building in Port Aransas
Where Your Beach Day Turns Into a Masterpiece
Whether you're sculpting your first sand tower or aiming for an architectural marvel, Port Aransas is the ultimate destination for sandcastle building. Thanks to our unique beach sand and expert guidance available right on the shore, this timeless beach activity is easy, fun, and accessible to all ages.
Why Port A Sand is Perfect for Sandcastles
Not all sand is created equal—and Port Aransas proves it! Our beach sand is packed with angular grains and just the right mix of clay and silt, which helps it retain moisture and hold its shape better than typical beach sand. That means stronger towers, more detailed sculptures, and fewer collapses—perfect for both casual builders and professional sand artists.
The next time you and your family find yourself with a hankering for creation, head down to the beach and use some of these tips from professional sand sculptor Mark Landrum to build an Insta-worthy sandcastle in Port A!
Pro Tips: Building a Proper Sandcastle
1. Set up close to the waterline (works best when the tide is going out). Dig a hole to the water table, where the sand is saturated with water. Stack the sand from your hole in a large pile to the dune side of your hole.
2. Stir the sand and water in the hole until you get large patties of wet sand to scoop with your hands. This process can be duplicated in a bucket, too.
3. Take a scoop of sand and water, plop it on top of the sand stack, and pat gently on top of the stack. The idea is to make a pancake of wet sand. You want the water to wrap around the sand, so bring the water to the top of the pancake then pull your hand away to watch the sand go back down. Repeat the process until you have a tall stack of sand pancakes.
4. The goal is to get big scoops of sand and water. The larger in diameter the bottom pancake is, the taller your stack can go. When you build it as tall as you can, you are ready for your carving tools.
5. Use the carving tools (knife, fork, and spoon) to make a roof, bricks, windows, stairs, and doors. You can use the knife to carve and block out the different features. The spoon and fork may be used for texturing and making windows. Use the tools gently to carve and shave the sand. Never poke, jab, stab, or hack at the sand.
6. Add shells to your sandcastle for decoration and to add character. Most importantly, have fun!
A few things you'll need to get started
- A bucket (A five-gallon paint bucket works well)
- Shovel
- Carving tools
- Shells for decor
