Texas beaches fall along the 600 miles of sparkling coastline where the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet the balmy climate of the Texas coast. There are countless sandcastles to build and infinite shells to find. So pack your swimsuit, your snorkel, your bucket and shovel and come see what makes Texas beaches among the most calming and beautiful in the nation.
Galveston Island, at just an hour's drive from Houston, makes any summer retreat a memorable experience. And with planned activities like volleyball tournaments, concerts and more, there's always something going on. The island even hosts one of the largest sandcastle-building competitions in the world, planned and judged by the American Institute of Architects. Stewart Beach is the island's premier family beach park that features a pavilion, complete with a playground, volleyball courts, snack bar, as well as a souvenir shop and umbrella and chair rentals. Families can also explore Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn and historic sites and homes.
Head south and you'll hit Corpus Christi, at the heart of the Texas Gulf Coast. While visiting Corpus Christi, you'll be able to climb aboard the USS Lexington, an aircraft carrier-turned museum. But don't end your naval tour there. Enjoy a scenic narrated cruise of Corpus Christi Bay and Harbor. And when you come ashore, visit the Texas State Aquarium and marvel at the thousands of animals representing more than 250 species. Don’t miss the dive shows, animal feedings, training sessions and “hands on” programs with sharks and stingrays.
Across Corpus Christi Bay, you'll find Port Aransas on Mustang Island. Along with some of the most popular beaches in the country, you can explore some of the nation's best bird watching sites on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. Texas has five of the country’s top 12 bird watching sites, and Port Aransas ranks near the top of the list. Outside the city, there is a bridge (TX 358) leading to Padre Island, one of the last natural seashores in the United States. At either end of the 110-mile long island are state parks and resort accommodations.
At the southern-most tip of the island lies the appropriately named town of South Padre Island. Each year, the 2,400-population town grows tenfold for a few weeks in March, as one of the most popular Spring Break destinations in the nation. South Padre is known for its water sports, including jet skiing; deep-sea fishing; parasailing; sailing; and windsurfing. Other island activities include dolphin cruising and horseback riding on the beach.
If a good catch is what you're looking for, there are seasoned fishing expeditions waiting for you at almost every stop along the Texas coastline. Bringing home a prize sailfish or shark as a souvenir is pretty tough to top. There are many other places to see on the Texas coast.
To start planning your next Texas vacation, visit www.TravelTex.com.
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