The best beaches in the world
Texas borders on the Gulf of Mexico. Along with Florida and Louisiana, Texas occupies a coastal region that, because of the gulf, enjoys abundant attractive qualities, making it a popular destination for beach vacations, but also for exploring exciting urban environments near the coast. This environmental dichotomy leads to an especially interesting landscape with a mix of things to do and see. A wealth of vacation rentals on the Texas Gulf Coast creates countless options for longer-term vacations while the hotels, inns, and resorts offer a wide choice of lodging options, whether over one night or a fortnight.
The smooth curve of the Texas Gulf Coast is filled with enticing tourist attractions including several barrier islands and peninsular areas. Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston, Rockport, and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge are all distinctive gulf coast attractions. Moving south, you’ll find the major coastal attractions of Port Aransas, Corpus Christi, and Padre Island, with pretty Laguna Madre, all in the area.
Around this region are the best Texas beaches, some remaining crowd-free, even in summer months, while others are simply stuffed with tourists. Either way, the beauty and appeal of these beaches are never lost, no matter what the population. From urban beaches like McGee Beach in Corpus Christi, to the celebrated sandy stretches at Padre Island National Seashore, the Texas beaches are as multifarious as the entire state itself.
The Texas Gulf Coast is best visited in late spring and throughout the summer when temperatures are hot, but ocean breezes keep it all entirely enjoyable. Though this period isn’t the most ideal time to visit cities near the coast for their hot, stuffy backdrops, there are so many indoor attractions and beaches that keeping cool isn’t much of an issue. The Texas shoreline maintains its appeal no matter what time of year and though summer is ideal, there are good shoulder seasons too including early fall and late spring. Winter tends to be too cool for Texas beach vacations.
Isla Blanca Park is at the south end of South Padre Island on the Texas Gulf Coast. The park is a short drive south from Queen Isabella Causeway, the connecting bridge from mainland to island. More than a mile of light tan sand lines the shore here, adjacent to campgrounds and plenty of interesting things [...]
Mustang Island beaches are on Padre Island, Texas, tucked in between two distinguished tourist destinations: Port Aransas and Corpus Christi. Adding the a visit to any itinerary maximizes the number of great area beaches to explore and offers a look at a rural stretch of coast on the Gulf of Mexico. No matter which beach you choose [...]
Jamaica Beach Galveston was born in 1956 as a weekend retreat. During this time, the economy prospered and boomed, underlining Jamaica Beach’s heyday, but staggering later on in the 1970s. The residents, who fiercely loved their seaside community, decided to combine resources, work together, and fight the trials and tribulations the small city was facing. [...]
Crystal Beach Texas lies on the Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County. The area spans seven miles, curving from north to south and is flanked by Galveston Bay, East Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. Crystal Beach in Galveston has a lot to offer, especially for those looking for a stretch of Gulf coast to enjoy outdoor [...]
Padre Island National Seashore really is a one-of-a-kind destination. It’s easy to feel spoiled by the many gorgeous Gulf Coast Texas beaches and with so many within urban environments, most have a lengthy list of facilities. Padre Island National Seashore is different. There is a visitor center and some amenities available, but mostly, visitors will [...]
Stewart Beach on Galveston Island is one of two famous island beaches, located between 6th Avenue and Seawall Boulevard, and part of many oceanfront miles of beaches. Cross Galveston Causeway to reach Harborside, the welcoming point, and drive toward the coast until Seawall Boulevard and on to 6th Avenue. By following the coastal road, it’s inevitable [...]
Houston beaches include a variety of well-known and popular beaches, but if you do a little digging, you’ll find there are small, secluded beaches in many different areas and in coastal towns. From famed Galveston Island to South Padre Island, the beaches near Houston are diverse; there are family beaches and party beaches alike. East [...]
Rockport beaches line a town filled with charm, appealing to all types for dozens of reasons. Situated in a central location on the Texas Gulf Coast, Rockport is a resort town highlighted by a large variety of outdoor recreation. Boating, and all activities revolving around it, is a major attraction and a top pastime for [...]
Corpus Christi Beach has a great location on Corpus Christi Bay at the northwest side. It is across from Harbor Bridge sitting between the bridge and Nueces Bay Causeway, a connection leading to Sunset Lake and Portland, Texas. The beach lines a bay front expanse that includes a row of bay parks, including Surfside Park and [...]
Port Aransas beaches occupy eighteen miles of coastline on the Gulf of Mexico in the southern United States. The main beach adjacent to the town of Port Aransas offers almost seven miles of beach on its own, creating a focus for the area and a place many visitors decide to stay on or near. A [...]