15 Best Beaches in Houston TX Top Beach Spots!

Beaches are the greatest destinations for a holiday in the summer. Everyone always wants to find the best beaches around to enjoy. So what do you think about beaches in Houston TX? This area has the best beaches with attractive activities for a great holiday in summer.

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Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach is the main attraction of the quiet Surfside town. This stretch of white sand is just an hour’s drive from Houston. At Surfside, guests can enjoy fresh seafood or a hearty lunch from any of the local restaurants along the beach. Surfside Beach is also home to the cheapest hotels. Here, you can bring pets, light a campfire, or ride a horse for as little as $12.

Expert Tips: There are no amenities like fast food stores, organized activities or a pier on this beach. You should prepare essential things before leaving Houston. You can also drop by Buc-ee’s (before the large bridge) to buy sunscreen, drinks and snacks. 

Stewart Beach

Stewart Beach is a great getaway for your family. It offers more activities and facilities than other beaches in Houston TX. This beach has toilets, a snack bar, a shower and a souvenir shop. It is also just minutes from Galveston’s entertainment district. Galveston is known for its games and festivals suitable for all ages.

Here, you can easily rent chairs and umbrellas to sunbathe on the beach. The drive to the beach is also extremely convenient for about 8 USD. However, here you are not allowed to drink alcohol on the sea.

Expert Tip: You can visit some favorite places such as the Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Moody Gardens near here.

Sylvan Beach Park

Sylvan Beach Park is 26.2 km from Downtown Houston, making it the closest beach destination to the city. This is a convenient getaway for short-term stays for those living in Houston. Not only that, but Sylvan also owns a lot of facilities such as a skate park, children’s playground, tennis court and dining table above. This is also an ideal beach for swimming as it has mild waves and no seaweed.

Expert Tip: You should go to the Sylvan’s bait and tackle shop to get an all-day pass to the park’s fisher pier.

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East Beach

East Beach is located on the east side of Galveston. This is known as the largest and most famous beach in Houston, Texas. And this is also the only beach in Galveston where alcohol is allowed. This has made East Beach a prime venue for festivals, competitions and concerts, making it a vibrant destination for beach lovers.

Here, visitors will have free access to the beach. East Beach also owns a lot of facilities such as food carts, skateboards, toilets, etc.

Expert Tips: Start your day on East Beach with a delightful stop at Mario’s Seawall Italian Restaurant. With mouth-watering pizzas and noodles, this restaurant is sure to satisfy your taste buds.

El Jardin Beach

El Jardin Beach is located in Seabrook – a small and peaceful bay. Therefore, this beach is ideal for those who seek serenity and solitude. Despite its small size, this beach still does not make visitors feel rushed and crowded. Most of the time, the beach is not crowded, so you can enjoy a quiet life, sitting in the sun, building a sandcastle or listening to the waves. When visiting this beach, you should arrive early and prepare some snacks because there are no food stalls in the area.

Expert Tips: Parking is quite limited and there are around 18 spots. So, to get a convenient spot, you should arrive early on the beach. Also, you should pack snacks, food and essentials, as there are no franchise counters in the area.

Galveston Island State Park

At a whopping 2,013.1 acres, Galveston Island State Park is home to the most outdoor activities of any Houston beach. Besides sunbathing and swimming in the sea, you can also go hiking, kayaking, camping and fishing. In addition, here you can also discover some beautiful birds such as the Mexican eagle, pelican, blue heron, snow fox, etc.

Expert Tips: You can explore the area with your family and find an array of beautiful birds, like Mexican eagles, pelicans, blue herons, and snowy ferrets. Likewise, don’t forget to hike or bike any of the park’s 9 nature trails.

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Sea Rim State Park

Sea Rim State Park is located on the southeastern edge of Texas. It is a 4,141-acre park that guarantees a great nature vacation for beach lovers. Here, you can kayak for hours or enjoy other activities at sea. Also, if you come here in a few months, you can organize camping with friends or family here. Moreover, this place also has large and beautiful wild swamps.

Expert Tips: You can see the Bay Area’s natural beauty by going on a horseback riding adventure along the park’s 10-mile swampy trails. You can also experience this special ride on the park’s wonderful beach.

Lake Tejas

Lake Tejas is sure to bring you and your friends’ plenty of fun. This place owns a spring lake in Colmesneil, open for the servants to dry and relax from May to Labor Day.

Plus, with the sandy beach, you’re sure to get sunbathing, water, and paddling. Besides, the sea also has other activities such as a water slide, beach, ball, etc.

Expert Tips: Not only swimming forever, you can participate in other activities such as volleyball, diving board.

Rockport Beach

In the list of 15 best beaches in Houston, you certainly cannot ignore the name Rockport. Rockport Beach is located on Aransas Bay – the first beach in Texas to receive the title of Blue Wave. This is the ideal beach for families with young children because it does not have big waves. Rockport is also a great place for couples because it possesses a peaceful and romantic atmosphere with a lighted pier.

Expert Tips: You can see some of Rockport’s most notable sights and attractions by strolling through its historic downtown, and admiring its small-town charm. You can also visit the Aransas Game Reserve and the Fulton Mansion.

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Garner State Park

Garner State Park was established in 1941. This place is currently very popular with young people because it owns many camping areas and rocky beaches surrounded by green trees. Garner Beach will give many visitors the feeling of relaxation under the sun and extremely clear and cool water. Also, because Garner State Park is 285 miles from Houston, it’s not ideal for day trips.

Expert Tips: You should bring a pair of aquatic shoes, unless you enjoy the feeling of being full of leaves or mud. Likewise, bring a flotation device if you are not a swimmer, as the water is a bit deep.

Quintana Beach

Quintana Beach sits on the shoreline above the Gulf of Texas. This 52-acre park is ideal for summer outdoor activities. Here, you can search for any entertainment you want. Moreover, when visiting this beach, you can spend hours enjoying the outstanding beauty and admiring the remaining historical sites of the beach. Quintana Beach also has some special activities such as watching some species of dolphins and birds.

Expert Tips: You can walk along the park’s jetty at the eastern tip to spot some species of dolphins and birds. For some delicious and affordable food, you should check out Captain Mark’s Seafood.

Matagorda Bay Nature Park

If you are looking for a place with lots of fun activities, you should visit Matagorda Bay Nature Park. This place has a long and picturesque coastline, along with coastal marshes and countless bird species that reside here. In addition, there are tobogganing or camping activities for those who want to enjoy the activities overnight. In particular, you can buy souvenirs or some snacks at this beach.

Expert Tips: The service here offers rentals of a variety of beach equipment, including beach wagons, beach chairs, and paddle boards.

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Crystal Beach

Crystal Beach, located on the Bolivar Peninsula, impresses many visitors with its secluded location. This place is extremely quiet and peaceful, so it is an ideal location for those who want to get away from the noise. And it is quite close to Houston, only 2 hours from the center. Therefore, if you are feeling stressed from busywork, this is the perfect place to rest and get away from work on the weekend.

Expert Tips: You should bring some belongings and spend a night on this beach. You’re allowed to camp on this 7-mile stretch if you want to enjoy an enjoyable weekend. You can also observe a small bird and come across more than 100 species of migratory birds.

Port Aransas Beach

Port Aransas Beach is located 206.7 miles from Houston. This idyllic beach is the perfect weekend getaway for short stays. Port Aransas is not a bustling beach, but it is a place that offers immense peace. Here, you can enjoy bold Mexican breakfast dishes from San Juan restaurants like tacos, chilaquiles, and migas.

Expert Tips: Start your day in Port Aransas with a convenient walk to a delicious Tex-Mex breakfast at San Juan Restaurant. You will love their breakfast tacos, chilaquiles and migas.

Padre Island National Seashore

Padre Island National Seashore was established in 1962. This is a 130,434-acre shoreline located peacefully on North Padre Island. PINS is one of the few beaches located near downtown Houston, making it easy for you and the whole family to move here and soak in Malaquite every weekend. Moreover, this place also has a wildlife ecosystem for those who love animals.

Expert Tips: Although people come to this shore to rest and relax, it can be a gateway to a world of adventure. For a fun and educational experience, you can join a ranger talk and learn more about the area and its ecosystem and wildlife. You can also terrain and hike along the Grasslands Nature Trail.

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Map of Beaches In Texas Near Houston

Above are the 15 best beaches in Houston TX. Are they on your list of favorite beaches? Let’s explore Houston’s beaches and tell us more about them. We hope you and your family have a wonderful summer at these beaches.

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