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| 10 Best Beaches in Texas |
Lone Star State boasts 400 miles of scenic coastline that are perfect for those beautiful summer days. Combining the warm waters of the Gulf Coast with many beautiful beach destinations, visitors can swim, snorkel, kayak, fish, or jump on a boat for a fun day of fun in the sun with the whole family. Whether beach aficionados are keen on water sports such as kiteboarding, windsurfing and parasailing, relaxing on a tranquil sandy beach, or looking for a variety of wildlife, The beaches in Texas have a lot to offer their visitors. A nature lover's paradise and a popular destination for outdoor adventurers, explore some of the best beaches in Texas.
Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach, located on the Bolivar Peninsula, is a quiet beach that stretches for seven miles. Named for sparkling beaches, this eco-friendly beach is popular for its rich fishing opportunities, as well as crabs and fresh seafood found in nearby restaurants. Less crowded than other beaches, beach lovers can find a variety of beach houses that are perfect for a family beach holiday. Ideal for a day of swimming and water activities, visitors can end their beach days with a hot fire paired with perfume. The ferry departs from Galveston and Crystal Beach 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it easy to reach the area.
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| Crystal Beach |
Surfside Beach
The Surfside Beach Hotel is ideally located to escape the stress of the city, less than an hour's drive from Houston, in Brazoria County, near Freeport. One of the cleanest beaches in the area, visitors will find a variety of activities to choose from. Spoiled for choice, beach lovers can drive right along the beach, avoiding the need to drag beach gear long distances. Combining top-notch water activities with an area filled with seaside eateries, the area is ideal for families with children. Filled with unique lodging along the coast, this small town is quiet and devoid of the busy crowds on other beaches. Bonfires can also be lit on the beach to round off a fun day in the sun.
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| Surfside Beach |
Mustang Island State Park, Port Aransas
Spectacular Beach Park Mustang Island State Park is a popular spot to sunbathe and swim. At the dog-friendly beach, visitors can bring their favorite four-legged friends as they head to the beach for seashells, fossils, and other treasures swept off the tide on this beautiful barrier island. The Kemps area, one of the few breeding grounds for a special breed of turtles, teems with a variety of wildlife, including over 400 different bird species. Beach bonfires are a real highlight of this park, besides the scenic hiking trails where you can go kayaking along the coast. Adventurous beach lovers can hike at the sandy camps or right behind the dunes that border the beach.
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Mustang Island State Park, Port Aransas |
Rockport Beach, Rockport, TX
A beach that overlooks the Gulf of Aransas in the small coastal town of Rockport. Rockport Beach is considered one of the cleanest beaches in the state. By offering visitors a stunning stretch of sand, beachgoers will find the beach is perfect for a family-friendly sun out. Ideal for the little ones, Rockport Beach is popular for its lack of big waves and hard kickbacks, so every family member can get into the water. Popular activities include fishing, boating and bird watching, while many restaurants, souvenir shops and galleries are located in the area and offer souvenir shopping opportunities. The pier, illuminated by the 1,500-foot marina, is also at the end of the harbor, where those looking for a little privacy and romance will find.
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| Rockport Beach, Rockport, TX |
Port Aransas Beach
Free from the hustle and bustle of the city, the port of Aransas offers its visitors a tranquil beach area where you can soak up the sun and let go of your worries. Less crowded than its more popular counterparts such as South Padre Island and Galveston, Port Aransas boasts long stretches of quiet beaches where peace and quiet can be found. The 6-mile beach is ideal for families with children as there is plenty of room to enjoy the sound of the tide while relaxing in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Although Corpus Christi is nearby, Port Aranas is one of the best options for a beach holiday.
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| Port Aransas Beach |
South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a popular tourist area in Texas for a good reason. It is one of the best places to see a variety of wildlife such as dolphins or large sea turtles and is also known for its beautiful beach area. Located 33 miles from the pristine beach area, beach lovers can indulge in a variety of water sports, from swimming to surfing, or simply relax surrounded by white sand and clear waters. The Barrier Island, which is known for its lively crowds of party-goers, the area also attracts families with children and snowbirds in winter. An oasis for nature lovers, bird watching is a popular activity as visitors spotted herons, herons and yellow-billed loons among the more than 300 bird species that flock here during their spring and fall migrations.
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| South Padre Island |
Boca Chica State Park, Brownsville
Located in the heart of the beautiful Boca Chica State Park, the beach here offers eight miles of scenic coastline. The beach between the Rio Grande Delta and the lower Laguna Madre at the southernmost tip of Texas is virtually free of the crowds, making it the perfect beach destination for many beach lovers. Calm and tranquil atmosphere is what you will find on this quiet stretch of beach, where the sights and sounds of the sandy shore and rustic wildlife are its main attractions. After diving in the sun and beautiful surroundings, you can enjoy a variety of water sports. Plunge into calm waters or try your hand at scuba diving and fishing. Lovers of an active beach holiday can go hiking on the mouth of the Rio Grande.
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| Boca Chica State Park, Brownsville |
Padre Island National Beach, Corpus Christi
Padre Island National Seashore is a unique nature experience in Texas. It is the largest undivided barrier island in the world. With over 130,000 acres of dunes, meadows and beaches, the area is a protected national park and a popular destination for family adventures. Perfect for those looking for privacy or outdoor activities, this beach is where you can hike the Grasslands Nature Trail, see a variety of wildlife, or go on a bird-watching excursion. Located along the coast of the Persian Gulf, beach lovers can watch sea turtles walk to the ocean or drive off-road in a four-wheeled vehicle on the beach. It can only be reached through Corpus Christi and the village of North Padre Island. There are over 50 miles of pristine beaches in this area.
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| Padre Island National Beach, Corpus Christi |
San Jose Island, Port Aransas
Nicknamed "St. Joe's Island, San Jose Island, is located opposite the port of Aransas. This private and undeveloped island, whose visitors are looking for a secluded oasis, will find this beach to suit their needs, as beach lovers need to land on the pier to even get to the area. While the beach is bare with no amenities, houses, cars or apartments, beach lovers will feel like they've won the lottery with miles of quiet, unspoiled sandy beach. Ideal for relaxing, swimming and fishing. Leave the mainland behind to explore the abundance of birds and other wildlife found in the area while enjoying their natural habitat, then head back to Port Aransas for food and fun.
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| San Jose Island, Port Aransas |
Matagorda Bay Nature Park, Matagorda
To the north of San Jose Island is the Matagorda Bay Natural Park, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the bright blue waters. Just 200 miles southeast of San Antonio, this 55-mile stretch of coastal land forms part of Matagorda County and is 25 miles away by car. With a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of places to soak up the sun, the beach is known for its fantastic kayaking, surfing and birdwatching opportunities, while treasure hunting is popular with children. Get off the beaten track and hop on a boat to reach more secluded corners of the area and explore the cast-iron Matagorda lighthouse, built in 1852.
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| Matagorda Bay Nature Park, Matagorda |