Forget about flight cancellations and airline bag policies and fast forward to rolling your windows down and extending a hand to ride the ocean air. It’s the international sign for “I’m on summer vacation,” and it’s the constant state of being here on the island. Here the sun shines a bit warmer, the breeze feels a bit cooler, and every moment is a memory waiting to be made. It’s no wonder countless Texans have made Port Aransas their summer tradition for generations.
The Island With Everything
From boogie boarding with the kids along 18 miles of beachline to exploring a restaurant scene filled with the freshest seafood imaginable—this eclectic town is full of surprises that you’ll want to revisit year after year. Whether you’re looking to escape for an island getaway or get the kids outdoors to explore the true Texas coast, it’s time to make your way to Port A.
Cruise the beach in style
Leave the car or truck in your vacation rental’s driveway and make your way around the island the Port A way—in a golf cart. Feel the sea breeze in your hair, cruise to your favorite beach tunes, and experience the epitome of what a drive to the beach with the family can be. Best of all, you won’t have to worry about finding parking. You can roll right up onto the beach, dig your toes in the sand, cast a line into the surf, and enjoy the relaxing fun you can only have on an island getaway.
Explore a little more
Connect with the island’s old seaside spirit by visiting Farley Boat Works to learn about the handcrafted boats that helped shape Port Aransas as it is today, or take in a show at Port Aransas Community Theatre. For family-focused fun, bring the kids aboard the Red Dragon Pirate Ship or head out to San José Island to search for seashells. Stop by the Port Aransas Art Center and grab some local island art to remember the salty air between visits. Or, drop in for a class and create some Port A-inspired art of your own.
The Perfect Summer Vacation
Port Aransas was recently named one of the Best Southern Beach Towns by Southern Living, and you’ll see why the minute you drive in. Whether your ideal family activity involves fishing on the pier or paddleboarding in a calm inlet, Port Aransas has the perfect coastal adventure awaiting your family.
Claim Your Spot
Claim your spot along the seemingly endless beaches and enjoy the warm Gulf waters with a cold drink in your hand. Grab your boogie board, test your balance on a surfboard, or tear across the waves on a jet ski. It’s easy creating the perfect summer vacation in Port Aransas.
Savor Island Eats
Looking for seafood as local as local can get? There are several restaurants that will cook your catch and make the most of the bounty you’ve worked hard to reel in. Try the coastal cuisine at our open-air eateries for delicious dishes ranging from classic to new island flavors. Whatever your family’s preference, whatever the budget, Port Aransas has the perfect dining experience that’s worth the drive in.
Outdoors Paradise
This summer, head to a paradise for anglers and birders alike. Keep your eyes peeled for hundreds of native and migrating species along Port A’s six sites along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. Test your cast in the Fishing Capital of Texas, where novice to competitive anglers can reel in flounder, redfish, black drum, and trout. Whether you’re reeling in dinner or catching views of migraters in the sky – Port Aransas is the perfect summer vacation destination.
