Searching for Texas beach towns? We’ve compiled a list of the finest 8 coastal communities in Texas for a relaxing beach vacation!
These coastal communities in Texas provide everything you need for a great beach vacation: white sand, seafood restaurants, wildlife places, and salty wind. While Texas may not be your first choice for a beach vacation, we’re here to prove that you can find wonderful spots to kick back, relax, and get intimate with southern hospitality while overlooking the water!
These coastal towns are beautiful and should definitely be on your USA bucket list, whether you’re planning a warm winter vacation, a Texas road trip, or a water-centric summer holiday.
Galveston
Galveston will never be left off any list of Texas beach towns. This island community has a distinct air with Victorian mansions and a colorful promenade full of Southern charm. On one side, restaurants and magnificent paintings border the main road, while on the other, a 10-mile barrier sweeps out to the island’s most prized sandy beaches. Want to make a connection with nature? Visit Galveston Island State Park, a 2,000-acre park featuring campsites, hiking paths, and swimming areas. Head to the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier in the evenings for carnival rides, fried food, and stunning sunset views.
If you’re coming to Galveston for a weekend break from Dallas or elsewhere in North Texas, plan on spending the entire weekend there because the travel is long. After all, beach holidays are all about leisure!
Galveston’s best beaches include:
- East Beach is known for its festivals, live music, a pet-friendly atmosphere, and outstanding amenities.
- Beachfront playground, picnic spaces, and plenty of bird viewing options at Surfside Jetty County Park.
- Seawall Urban Park has several tourist attractions as well as seaside eateries.
- Stewart Beach is a family-friendly beach that has won several awards.
- Palm Beach is a beautiful beach in a residential area. Local flavor.
Padre Island
Padre Island is the Texas barrier island with the longest coastline. North Padre Island and South Padre Island are two separate islands that are completely distinct from one another. North Padre Island is not your standard beach holiday destination, with its plethora of beachy tourist stores and resorts, but rather a place with miles and miles of serene beachside nature.
You can observe newborn sea turtles being released at North Padre Island, which is home to one of the world’s most endangered sea turtle species. You may also go surfing, windsurfing, shipwreck diving, and more–the possibilities are unlimited!
The Padre Island National Seashore does, however, demand entry.
North Padre Island’s best beaches include:
Malaquite Beach — A beautiful beach with restrooms, an outdoor shower, and covered picnic spaces at semi-primitive Malaquite Campground.
Whitecap Beach is a beautiful Texas beach with big waves.
Little Shell Beach is a quiet beach with a reduced number of shells.
Big Shell Beach is ideal for collecting seashells and taking photos, but unsuitable for sunbathing.
On the other hand, South Padre Island is one of the nicest beaches in Texas, serving as a popular spring break getaway in March and a tranquil haven the rest of the year. South Padre is surrounded by the Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico, making it the ideal area to ride a bike and enjoy the sea air.
There are plenty of businesses along Padre Boulevard where you may finish your beach packing list in town–you can even locate mementos for your family! While surfing, snorkeling, and birdwatching are among the top things to do on the island, seafood is a must-try.
A delicious blackened shrimp omelet is served at Pier 19 on the Laguna Madre – a fantastic meal to get your day started correctly! South Padre is also the world’s sandcastle capital, which is always useful to know!
Or you can also visit Dirty AI’s – which was voted the best restaurant in Texas – with a signature dish of extremely attractive fried shrimp.
South Padre Island’s best beaches include:
Barracuda Cove Beach is remote and nearly deserted throughout the year.
Beach Access with warm water and family-friendly beach access.
Dolphin Cove Beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the sun.
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Rockport
Rockport is a great place to visit on a Texas road trip because it’s only 3 hours from Houston and Austin. Despite being severely impacted by Hurricane Harvey, Rockport has recovered and demonstrated that it is here to stay.
The town offers so many unique stores and fantastic restaurants that you’ll want to stay for good!
Visit the Texas Maritime Museum, which highlights the history of the Gulf Coast, including oil drilling and pirates, to add a little culture to your beach vacation.
In terms of sustainability, Rockport Beach is Texas’ first one-mile Blue Wave Beach, which means it is clean, well-managed, and dedicated to safeguarding human health and the environment. The beach is not only accessible to those with disabilities, but it also provides public restrooms, picnic spaces, and several swimming locations. The main drawback is that dogs are not permitted on Rockport Beach. Beachgoers looking for a Texas-style beach holiday will find a few BBQ grill locations in Rockport.
Port Aransas
Mustang Island’s beach town is one of Texas’ most popular beach getaways. This Gulf Coast destination offers excellent recreational excursions as well as cultural pursuits.
Besides, the beaches on Mustang Island are very unique, and you may enjoy the best of the Texas coast here!
Do you enjoy activities such as parasailing, kayaking, or windsurfing? Then this Texas town is perfect for you! These activities are available all year. However, if you want something a little less daring, hire a bike and drive about town to soak up the Port A vibes. Furthermore, Port Aransas Beach is one of the top ten family beaches in the United States! Take your kids to see new birds or go dolphin watching–they’ll have a blast!
Port Aransas’ best beaches include:
There is warm, clean water with limited free parking between piers 52 and 58 at Port Aransas Beach. Also, campfires transform a fun night of beach camping into an amazing experience for the kids, and permits for 3 x 3 foot campfires are required at Port Aransas Beach.
IB Magee Beach Park is one of Port Adelaide’s most popular and scenic beaches. There are several campsites and beach facilities.
Horace Caldwell Pier – Great for surfing, fishing, and sunset watching.
Bolivar Peninsula
The Bolivar Peninsula is a 27-mile length of land between Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico that includes minor towns like Crystal Beach and Port Bolivar. It’s a great weekend vacation from Houston because it’s just 1h30 driving from Space City!
Aside from that, there are clean beaches, nice sand, and a lot of fun to be had here!
Despite the absence of restaurants and beach facilities.
Crystal Beach is a delightful area that provides all of the necessary beach amenities, including a quiet ambiance, breathtaking vistas, seagulls, dolphins, clean sand, and warm water.
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Freeport
Freeport is a small Texas town located 62 miles south of Houston. It is home to some of Texas’ greatest fishing, two marinas, the Brazos River, and beautiful beaches. This coastal location also features a local history museum, bird observatories, a wetlands walk, and a national marine sanctuary, which is a top diving destination.
Want to spice up your beach holiday with some cultural activities? Then pay a visit to the Freeport Historical Museum to discover more about their marine collection, which is very fun for youngsters.
Freeport’s best beaches include:
Bryan Seaside – Located in this little beach town, this area provides three miles of natural beach perfect for camping, birding, fishing, and soaking up the summer vibes!
Miles of golden sand rich with seashells and marine life make up Surfside Beach. The ideal beach for watersports enthusiasts.
Port Arthur
This booming port town combines Texas coastal beauty with Cajun flair to create an attractive mix. Fresh cuisine, breezy seaside walks, and natural beaches abound in this picturesque setting.
Do you want to try some adrenaline-pumping activities? You’ll be properly taken care of here! Sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking are just a few of the outdoor activities available at Port Arthur.
Port Arthur’s best beach is:
Sea Rim State Park is a 5-mile stretch of natural coastline where guests may camp directly on the beach.
Corpus Christi
Because of magnificent coastal environment, this wonderful beach town in Texas – Corpus Christi – is growing in popularity every year. It features kilometers of gorgeous beaches, significant conservation areas, and diverse flora and wildlife.
Corpus Christi’s best beaches include:
JP Luby Beach is a popular surfing, kiteboarding, and skimboarding area for teenagers and young adults.
North Beach is a tiny strip of land with views of the USS Lexington and a number of waterfront eateries.
McGee Beach is one of the most handy lengths of beach in the area, located in the heart of downtown.
Newport Pass Beach is a scenic retreat with surfboarders and windsurfers dotting the horizon and youngsters splashing on the coast among sandcastles and sand crabs, Newport Pass beach is a lovely hideaway.
See: 11 Amazing Texas Beach Towns for a Perfect Texas Beach Getaway
Seabrook
As its name indicates, Seabrook is a popular boating location on the Texas beach towns. There are stilt residences, marinas, seafood restaurants, and two major motorways that traverse through town. This is a calm, family-friendly town with a penchant for fishing and boating. When you’re in Seaside, go to Clear Lake Park and maybe enjoy a boat ride with the All Points of Sail Sailing School.
Kemah
Between Houston and Galveston, Kemah is a charming Texas town. The finest thing to do here is to walk along the famous boardwalk. There are several stores, restaurants, and even amusement attractions can be found here. Horse carriage rides, boat tours, and sailing are just a few of the tourism attractions in Kemah. Check the town’s events calendar to see what’s going on during your visit. Kemah has a spectacular 4th of July celebration, festivals, and concerts.
See more: The Awesome Beaches In Houston TX
Surfside Beach
Surfside is only about an hour’s drive from Houston, making it a great destination for energetic vacationers who enjoy water sports and shell collecting. Come here for some water-based adrenaline or to try out a new activity. When visiting Surfside, there are several vacation rental houses to choose from.
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FAQs
Which Texas cities have a beach?
Galveston, Bolivar Peninsula, Freeport, Rockport, Port Aransas, Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Kemah, Port Arthur, and Port Lavaca are some of the cities that make up the Texas Gulf Coast.
What is Texas’ most beautiful beach?
It’s tough to choose the best beach in Texas, but we think Malaquite Beach in Corpus Christi, South Beach in South Padre Island, Rockport Beach in Rockport, and East Beach in Galveston are the four best.
Where in Texas is the cleanest beach?
Rockport Beach is the cleanest beach in Texas because it is Texas’ first one-mile long Blue Wave Beach, which means it is clean, well-managed, and prioritizes human and environmental health.
Conclusion
However, they are all 11 amazing coastal cities in Texas that you should see. Have you visited these Texas beach towns before? Leave a comment and tell us about it. I hope you have a wonderful time with your loved ones. Thank you for reading, and I hope to see you again soon.
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