Why Port Aransas Should Be Your Top Beach Destination in Texas

One of Texas' Best Beach Destinations

Port Aransas is the top beach destination in Texas, offering the best of both worlds with relaxation and adventure at your fingertips. Located on Mustang Island along the gorgeous Gulf Coast, this seaside town holds miles of beautiful beaches, ideal for swimming, shelling, and family fun. If you love the outdoors you will enjoy fishing, birding, and kayaking through the waterways on the island. Foodies can come and enjoy fresh coastal cuisine at local restaurants that will keep you coming back time and time again. With its relaxed island vibe, bustling wildlife, gorgeous coastline, and friendly community, Port Aransas offers an unforgettable beach getaway for everyone!  

What Makes Port Aransas Beaches Unique?

Unlike other beach towns, the Port Aransas beaches are drivable by car, golf cart, and other legal motorized vehicles. With 18 miles of public shoreline being able to drive down to find your perfect stretch of sand makes it easy to relax uninterrupted, unlike more crowded beach towns. Don't forget the deep-rooted fishing culture, cast a line right off the beach and reel in your dinner or enjoy the thrill of the catch. Port Aransas Beach is also an excellent place for surfing, Texas may not be your first thought when you think of surfing but it's a lifestyle on this island. Relaxation with plenty of adventure just steps away, that's what the Port A beach is all about! 

Please note parking on Port Aransas Beach does require a parking pass learn more by clicking here. 
Don't forget to purchase a fishing license before you cast your line, learn more by clicking here. 

The Best Beaches in Port Aransas

Port Aransas is home to the best Texas beaches, each offering something unique. Who doesn't love options when it comes to choosing the place to put your toes in the water and your chair in the sand? 

Mustang Island 

Mustang Island boasts 18 miles of beautiful, largely undisturbed Texas coastline. Visitors can drive right up to the water and barbecue, play horseshoes, camp out, or just swim in the relaxing sea. Enjoy surf fishing along the shore if sunbathing isn't enough excitement for you! 

• No entrance fees
• A beach parking permit required
• Fishing
• Primitive camping
• Use Access Roads 1, 1A, 2, and 3 to access the beach.
• All Wheel Drive may be necessary depending on sand conditions.

I.B. Magee Beach Park 

Located just on the other side of the rolling sand dunes that stretch along the small town of Port A is the 167-acre I.B. Magee Beach Park. Rent a golf cart, cruise the beach in your vehicle, or take a stroll on the sand. Wherever you are on the island, I.B. Magee Beach is no more than five minutes away. I.B. Magee Beach Park offers easy access, picnic areas, and calm surf ideal for families. Located down from the jetty is the 1,200-foot-long Horace Caldwell Pier, where you can walk out over the Gulf and throw a line in the water.

• Horace Caldwell Pier entrance fees: $3/person, $4/pole (3-rod limit per person), $1/person for military and seniors 65+, free for children four and under.
• No fee to park
• No tent camping
• Pets must be leashed
• Recreational Vehicle (RV) Camping - The park contains 64 RV sites that have 20/30/50 amp electricity, on-site sewer, water, and wifi.
• RV Dump Station - Dump and City water tank fill is included for campers and non-registered guests.

San José Island

Add a mini island getaway to your day and hitch a ride to the privately-owned untouched shoreline of San Jose Island. It’s just a short boat ride from Port A, but you’ll feel like you’re a world away. St. Jo’s, as the locals call it, is largelyuninhabited and undisturbed, with miles of quiet open beach to relax and explore. Pack a picnic and bring a basket for your seashell collection!

• To visit San Jose, hop on a passenger ferry boat at Fisherman’s Wharf Jetty boat service is limited, so plan ahead.
• Be sure to bring food, water, and any other provisions you may need, as there are no public facilities or stores on the island.
• Remember to bring a trash bag and don’t leave any of your trash behind.

Why Port Aransas Is a Top Fishing Spot

Fishing is at the heart of what makes Port Aransas the most unique Texas beach town. Known as the Fishing Capital of Texas, it offers year-round access to all types of fishing experience. Enjoy bay fishing, surf fishing, pier casting, and offshore adventures when you visit the island. Port Aransas hosts over 20 fishing tournaments during the summer months, ranging from kids to women only and billfish to redfish tournaments. Fishing in Port Aransas is a way of life. With a rich history, diverse species, and unbeatable access to inshore waters and the deep Gulf, it's the only place you need to reel in the catch of a lifetime! 

Family-Friendly Beach Activities

Port Aransas is the best Texas beach destination for families, offering a safe, welcoming environment with plenty to keep the kiddos busy. The shallow, swimmable waters along the shore are perfect for young swimmers. Sit on the shore and watch your kids boogie board, shell hunt, or splash in the waves all afternoon long. With tons of great activities like dolphin watching tours and sandcastle-building lessons, there is no shortage of memories to be made. Learn more about the nature and wildlife in Port A when visiting the Patton Center. This small educational marine science museum has interactive exhibits and fish tanks that everyone will enjoy. With a family centered community, easy beach access, and a relaxed island vibe, Port Aransas makes family beach trips both stress-free and memorable. 

Adventure & Water Sports in Port Aransas

For those looking for adventure? Port Aransas delivers an exciting mix of water sports and beachside thrills. From kayaking through scenic waterways to stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, and jet skiing, there’s something for every traveler and every experience level. Fly high over the island on a parasailing excursion in the morning and then relax on the beach with a cocktail in the afternoon. There is no shortage of fun to be had on the island, but don't forget to clock out and enjoy the relaxation. After all, you are on island time when you're in this island town!  

More Than Just a Beach Destination: Attractions in Port Aransas

Beyond the pristine beach, Port Aransas offers unique attractions that you won't find at other beach destinations. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center and the Port Aransas Nature Preserve, both teeming with coastal wildlife and scenic trails. You can even spot and say hi to Boots, the local alligator that calls the birding center his home. For some great local history and culture, the Port Aransas Museum and Farley Boat Works offer a glimpse into the town’s maritime past. Learn about the old days when Port Aransas was called Tarpon Texas. Find more than you bargained for as you immerse yourself in the past and present that the island has to offer. Port Aransas is more than just a beach trip—it’s an island town with a flourishing ecosystem and lush history.

Don't take our word for it, come on down to the Gulf Coast and discover why Port Aransas is the best beach destination in Texas. Uncover to beauty of the island life when you visit Port Aransas.