The Texas gulf coast is filled with great beach towns and ideal locations for a seafood-filled vacation. In no particular order, here are the greatest Texas beach towns.
1. Galveston, Texas
There will never be a list of the finest beach cities in Texas that does not include Galveston. This island community has a distinct vibe, with Victorian buildings and a colorfulpromenade full of Southern charm. On one side, restaurants and stunning paintings border the main road, while on the other, a 10-mile barrier extends out, beyond which lie Galveston Island’s most desired sandy beaches. Visit the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier in the evenings for theme park rides, snacks, and stunning sunset.
Do you want to make a connection with nature? Go to Galveston Island State Park, a 2,000-acre park featuring campsites, hiking paths, and swimming areas.
If you are going to visit Galveston for a short vacation from Dallas or elsewhere in North Texas, plan on spending a long vacation on the island since the journey is a bit too long. After all, beach holidays are all about unwinding!
Some of the best beaches in Galveston include East beach, Surfside Jetty County Park, Stewart Beach, Palm Beach, and Seawall Urban Park.
2. North Padre Island
Padre Island is the Texas coast’s longest barrier island. The island is separated into two parts: North Padre Island and South Padre Island, which are completely distinct from one another. North Padre Island is not your standard beach holiday destination, with a plethora of beachy tourist stores and resorts, but rather a place with miles and miles of calm coastal nature.
You may witness the release of newborn sea turtles at North Padre Island since Texas is home to one of the world’s most threatened sea turtle species! Aside from that, you may go surfing, paragliding, shipwreck discovering, and more. Here the possibilities are limitless!
Some of the best beaches in North Padre Island include Malaquite beach, Whitecap beach, Little Shell beach, and Big Shell Beach.
3. South Padre Island
South Padre Island is among the most fashionable beaches in Texas. South Padre Island is one of the greatest beaches in Texas, serving as a popular spring break getaway in March and a peaceful retreat the rest of the year. This island, surrounded by the Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico, is the ideal spot to ride a bike and enjoy the sea air.
If you want to finish your seaside checklist in town, there are plenty of businesses along Padre Boulevard–you can even purchase souvenirs for your family! While surfing, snorkeling, and birdwatching are some of the greatest things to do on the island, feasting in seafood is a must.
Some of the best beaches in South Padre Island include Beach Access, Barracuda Cove Beach, and Dolphin Cove Beach.
4. Rockport
Rockport is a wonderful Texas road trip destination because it is only 3 hours between Houston and Austin. Although Rockport was severely damaged by Hurricane Harvey, this charming coastal town in Texas has recovered and demonstrated that it is here to stay.
The town offers so many interesting stores and wonderful restaurants that you’ll want to stay for good! To add some flavor to your beach getaway, visit the Texas Maritime Museum, which examines the history of the Gulf Coast, including drilling for oil and pirates.
To achieve sustainability, Rockport Beach is Texas’ first one-mile-long Blue Wave Beach, which means it is tidy, properly maintained, and prioritizes public health and safety.
The beach is open to individuals with limited movement, but there are also public restrooms, picnic spots, and several swimming places. The main drawback is that dogs are not permitted on Rockport Beach. For beachgoers looking for a Texas-style beach holiday, Rockport also boasts a few BBQ grill places.
5. Port Aransas
Mustang Island’s beach town is one of Texas’ most popular beach resorts. From great outdoor experiences to cultural activities, this gulf coast location is a must-see! Moreover, Mustang Island’s beaches are quite distinctive, and you can see the best of the Texas coast from here!
What about parasailing, paddling, or windsurfing? Then this Texas town is perfect for you! You may participate in these sports all year long, or if you want something a little less daring, hire a bike and drive about town to take up the Port A atmosphere.
Not just that, but Port Aransas Beach is among the top ten family beaches in the United States! Take your kids to see new bird species or dolphins–they’ll have a great time!
Some of the best beaches in Port Aransas include Port Aransas Beach, IB Magee Beach Park, and Horace Caldwell Pier.
6. Bolivar Peninsula
The Bolivar Peninsula is a 27-mile length of land between Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, home to a few tiny towns including Crystal Beach and Port Bolivar. It’s a great weekend escape from Houston because it’s only a 1h30 drive from Space City!
Aside from that, there are pristine beaches, nice sand where you can have a wonderful experience.
Despite the absence of restaurants and recreational activities, Crystal Beach is a lovely area that provides all of the essential amenities that one would expect from a beach, such as a peaceful environment, magnificent vistas, seagulls, dolphins, fresh sand, as well as warm water.
7. Freeport
Freeport is a tiny town located 62 miles from Houston. It features some of the greatest fishing in Texas, two marinas, the Brazos River (which is ideal for kayaking), and beautiful beaches. This coastal region also contains a cultural heritage museum, bird sanctuaries, a wetlands path, and a national marine sanctuary, which is a renowned diving destination.
Do you want to spice up your beach trip with some cultural activities? Then, pay a visit to the Freeport Historical Museum to discover more about their marine collection–perfect for youngsters!
Some of the best beaches in Freeport include Bryan beach and Surfside beach.
8. Port Arthur
This bustling port town exudes an enticing blend of Texas coastal charm and Cajun flare. It’s an ideal setting with plenty of seafood, pleasant coastal hikes, and pristine beaches.
Do you want to participate in high-adrenaline activities? You’ll be properly taken care of here! Port Arthur is an ideal location for a variety of outdoor activities such as windsurfing, sailing, as well as kayaking.
The best beach in Port Arthur is the Sea Rim State Park.
9. Corpus Christi
Because of its gorgeous coastal environment, this wonderful beach town in Texas is getting more popular by the year. It offers kilometers of beautiful beaches, as well as major conservation areas and diverse flora and wildlife.
Do you want to participate in some cultural activities? In that regard, Corpus Christi seems to have a lot more to offer!
From the Texas Surf Museum to the SS Science Museum to the Art Center, this seaside city has enough attractions to keep you occupied for a week!
Some of the best beaches in Corpus Christi include North beach, JP Luby beach, McGee beach, and Newport Pass beach.
10. Seabrook
Seabrook, as the name implies, is a popular boating location on the Texas coast. There are stilt residences, boats, eateries, and two major roads that get into town. This is a peaceful, family-friendly town that is enthusiastic about fishing as well as boating.
When in Seaside, feel free to stop by Clear Lake Park and perhaps even take a ferry ride with the All Points of Sail Sailing School. Stop by Habanero’s Tacos, Neptune Subs Incorporated, or Dave’s Smokehouse in Seabrook for budget-friendly meal options that are as tasty as they are inexpensive.
FAQs
1. Where is Texas’s prettiest and cleanest beach?
Rockport Beach is Texas’s prettiest and cleanest beach because it is the state’s first one-mile-long Blue Wave Beach, which means it is pristine, properly maintained, and concentrates on preserving people and the environment.
2. What Texas cities have beaches?
Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston, Freeport, Rockport, Kemah, Port Aransas, Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Port Lavaca are some of the cities in Texas.
3. What is the most beautiful beach in Texas?
The all-time loveliest beaches in Texas are tough to define, but the four best beaches in our view are Malaquite Beach in Corpus Christi, Rockport Beach in Rockport, South Beach in South Padre Island, and East Beach in Galveston.
