When you think of Texas, you might think of cowboys, live music, and barbecue. But would you think that it has 600+ miles of coastline of crystal waters and white sand beaches? Many of the beaches in Texas are natural and rugged, offering a taste of the simple life and escape from the hustle and bustle. Fishing is a big part of Texan culture, something you’ll often see along the boardwalks and piers, and you’re bound to find wonderful seafood in any beach town you visit. So, let’s take a look at seven of the best beaches in Texas.
Beaches in Texas
1. Rockport Beach
In southwest Texas, Rockport Beach overlooks the sweeping Aransas Bay. It’s one of the most popular beaches in Texas, with a beautiful promenade that’s ideal for afternoon strolls to stretch your legs. It’s easy to lose track of time on this beach, relaxing on the sand, playing volleyball, and swimming in the clear sea. Despite its popularity, the beach is clean and the water is beautifully clear. In fact, Rockport Beach was recognised as the first Blue Wave Beach in Texas by the Clean Beaches Coalition. There are amenities nearby to grab a bite or you can pack your lunch to enjoy on one of the picnic benches.
2. Mustang Island
Mustang Island is an island on the Gulf Coast of Texas. It’s a popular choice amongst families with kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding being just some of the fun activities that you can get up to here. Not to mention surfing, you can find some of the best surfing here. But if you don’t fancy a workout on your day to relax, the smooth sand is perfect for spending the day lounging about and reading. You could spend hours watching the surfers, spotting dolphins in the sea, and keeping an eye out for rare birdlife. You’re sure to find a spot on the island’s 18 miles of sand.
3. Crystal Beach
This beach is a Texas gem, nestled on the Bolivar Peninsula, which separates Galveston Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. It’s only accessible by ferry from Galveston, so if you’re looking for a secluded beach, this is it. The beach is carpeted with hermit crabs, which are always fun to try and find. When visitors aren’t searching for hermit crabs, they can try and spot one of the 100 species of migratory birds that visit the peninsula every year.
4. Galveston Beach
Just an hour outside of Houston, Galveston Island is perfect for anyone looking to escape city life for the day. It’s a varied environment with lively parts and secluded areas. It’s perfect for lounging, swimming, hiking, and wildlife spotting. You’re sure to spot marsh rabbits and racoons, maybe even a flock of migrating birds depending on what time of year you go. Visitors also like to rent kayaks or bikes to explore the surrounding area by land or sea, go fishing, and surf. There are restrooms and picnic tables, so you can easily spend all day here, listening to the gentle waves.
5. Boca Chica Beach
Boca Chica Beach is as close to Mexico as you can get without actually crossing the border. The 8-mile-long stretch of sand is the rustic escape you might have been craving. Bear in mind there are little to no facilities, so you’ll have to bring enough food and water to last the day, but it all adds to the secluded feel of this untouched beach. Lay here all day and soak up some of life’s simplest pleasures – swimming, reading, fishing. The area is great for snorkelling too, just remember you’ll have to bring your own snorkel.
6. North Beach
White sand beaches and crystal clear waters. This beach in Corpus Christi is everything you could want from a tropical beach, but without even leaving Texas. The 1.5-mile-long pearly white beach is one of the best beaches in Texas with lots to do – snorkelling, fishing, kayaking, and even dolphin watching. Visitors can also hop on a boat to take a tour around North Padre Island and its crystalline waters. North Beach is also within easy reach of the USS Lexington, a WWII aircraft carrier turned naval museum.
7. Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is ideal for the quintessential beach day. Visitors can go horseback riding, search for shells, go surfing, and cuddle up beside a bonfire when the weather starts to chill. Unlike some of the other beaches in the area, the waves aren’t as intimidating here and beginner to intermediate surfers can test out some new skills. It’s a beautiful respite for those longing to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, who crave a stripped-back beach. Just you, your family or friends, and nature. And there’s plenty of nature to admire as it’s close to several marshes, rivers, and bays, so there’s a lot to explore. Plus, the variety of landscapes makes the wildlife quite diverse.
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