Texas beaches might just be the perfect driveable vacation destination! From the quiet expanses of Mustang Island to the liveliness of South Padre Island, here is your overview of Texas Beaches to hit up this summer.
— Boca Chica Beach
Drive from Austin: 6 hours
If the idea of chaotic summers and spring breaks in South Padre Island gives you second thoughts, check out Boca Chica instead. Nestled along the southernmost tip of Texas and quite literally a stone’s throw from Mexico, Boca Chica Beach offers unbridled views on a beach untouched by most tourists. This 8-mile stretch of beach has escaped modern development – affording you a day of snorkeling, fishing, and swimming with only the beautiful expanses of the ocean and Texas coastline taking up your view in any direction.
— Crystal Beach
Drive from Austin: 4.5 hours
Aptly named for the expanses of smooth, eco-friendly shore contained within this area, Crystal Beach is the less crowded and quieter counterpart to the bustling city of Galveston. Accessible from the east or by an easy ferry ride directly from Galveston, Crystal Beach provides so much more than a warm day at a pristine beach: try the crab and other fresh seafood at the local restaurants (like Steve’s Landing), check out some live music, and visit the historic Bolivar Point Lighthouse.
Drive from Austin: 4 hours
Galveston is rich in history, making it a fun and educational destination. Once one of the most bustling ports of entry in the entire nation, the island city was nearly decimated by a hurricane in 1900, which remains the deadliest natural disaster in United States history. You can learn about the history of the Port of Galveston at the Texas Seaport Museum & 1877 Tall Ship Elissa. Admire the beautiful centuries-old architecture at The Grand 1894 Opera House or the opulent Hotel Galvez. Galveston is also home to the fantastic Moody Gardens, with aquariums, IMAX theaters, art exhibits, and more. Of course, no visit to Galveston is complete without plenty of fun in the sun on the beach as well as rides and carnival games on Pleasure Pier. Galveston is also a port city and you can book a cruise with many of the major cruise lines like Disney, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and more.
— Mustang Island
Drive from Austin: 4.5 hours
Mustang Island is an 18-mile expanse of sandy shore in Port Aransas, perfect for seashell-collecting, swimming, and even bird-watching. The island originally got its name from the large number of wild mustangs that used to trot freely across the island before development took over. These days, the island is a designated state park where you can camp, kayak, and perhaps catch a view of the Kemp’s Ridley turtles. Mustang Island is one of the only breeding grounds for this rare breed of turtle!
— North Beach
Drive from Austin: 3.5 hours
What’s most captivating about North Beach is its proximity to some of Corpus Christi’s coolest attractions. On the list: the U.S.S. Lexington (a WWII Essex Class aircraft carrier), the Texas State Aquarium, and the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. North Beach provides a welcome respite from a day of sightseeing.
— Padre Island National Seashore
Drive from Austin: 4 hours
According to the National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore is “The Longest Stretch of Undeveloped Barrier Island in the World.” Proudly exhibiting 70 miles of relatively untouched coastline, the Padre Island National Seashore is home to special turtles, 380 bird species, and camping sites for an unforgettable beach trip.
— Port Aransas
Drive from Austin: 4 hours
Slow down and chill with the fam at “Port A”, where beach life is all about relaxation. Get around on golf carts, hang out on miles of open beach, and enjoy fresh seafood. Spend a few hours at Port Aransas Nature Preserve or do some fishing on the pier. Take note that in the spring, the annual Texas SandFest is a very fun opportunity to see giant sand sculptures like no other!
— Rockport Beach
Drive from Austin: 3.5 hours
Rockport Beach was the first in Texas to garner a Blue Wave Beach designation — a label given only to beaches that maintain high standards of environmental care. As a bonus, Rockport is also a designated bird sanctuary — so don’t forget to scan the skies for the variety of bird species likely to fly overhead.
— South Padre Island
Drive from Austin: 6 hours
A popular tourist destination, South Padre Island provides enough entertainment to last an entire week and tons of fun for kids: from horseback riding and ziplining to a stop at Sea Turtle, Inc. — a sea turtle education, research, and rehabilitation center.
— Surfside Beach
Drive from Austin: 3.5 hours
Because of the unusually deep water found close to the shore, Surfside Beach is the perfect location for surfing off the coast of Texas (hence the name). These deep waters lend themselves to some unique fishing, too. You can catch fish that are normally only found much farther into the ocean without ever leaving the comfort of the shore.
No matter where you choose to put your toes in the sand, we hope you have a great beach vacation!
MORE TO EXPLORE:
- Matagorda Bay Nature Park
- Weird & Wonderful Places to Stay in Texas
- Best Texas Roadtrips
- Family Friendly Resorts Near Austin
- Best Camping Spots Around Austin
This guide to Texas beaches was originally contributed to Do512 by Hannah Baker
