Say the phrase “best beaches in Texas” and you might think the very idea is an impossibility. Not many travelers imagine the Lone Star State as a beach bum’s paradise. Sure, the color of the water tends more toward café au lait than turquoise in places, and it’s legal to drive your vehicle along many of the public beaches. But if you know where to go, you can find inviting expanses of sand, soft ocean breezes, the occasional frolicking dolphin, and—when the weather’s right—waves big enough to surf.
From South Padre Island to the Louisiana border, Texas boasts more than 350 miles of coastline. You’ll find charming small towns, docks where you can fish, seafood joints specializing in local oysters and redfish, and roadside attractions to distract you. The Texas Coast is a hotspot for birding too, with birders flocking to the Lone Star State each spring to glimpse migrating flocks.
And the best news? The Texas climate is mild, so even a beach trip in winter offers rewards. Here are some of the best beaches in Texas, from state parks to islands and shores with bonus birding spots.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
South Padre Island
College students head to South Padre Island to party during spring break; over the rest of the year, however, a more mellow vibe prevails. Drive north of town for the quietest stretch of beachfront, and if the weather’s right, head to the jetties closer in to do a little surfing. From April to August, keep an eye out for nesting sea turtles. Crews from Sea Turtle Inc. scan the dunes, looking for eggs, which they relocate into protected corrals and release after they hatch. At the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary, visitors can stroll on a boardwalk elevated over 43 acres of marshland and ponds where stilt-legged birds, colorful butterflies, and about 50 rescued ’gators make their home. If you’re hoping for a redfish dinner, grab your rod and head to the shallows at the south end of the island to reel in your catch.
Bird Island Basin
You won’t spend much time on the beach along Bird Island Basin. You’ll be in the water, thanks to some of the best windsurfing conditions in the United States. A part of the Padre Island National Seashore, the basin has steady breeze, warm Gulf waters, and shallow depths, making it perfect for beginners and experienced windsurfers alike. Additionally, there’s plenty of room for other water activities, like kayaking and fishing. There’s a boat ramp for access to Laguna Madre if you want to explore other areas of the protected seashore.
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Sea Rim State Park
Just south of Port Arthur, where rocker Janis Joplin spent her formative years, lies Sea Rim State Park with three miles of sandy beachfront. Cast a line in the surf, slosh through the waves, or trot through the sand on your horse at the park, which has a developed campground and allows primitive camping on the beach. Feeling more adventurous? Load up your kayak and head to what’s quite possibly the only publicly accessible floating campsite in the state. The easy two-mile paddle through reed-lined channels takes about an hour. For the effort you’ll get the splish-splash of fish at dawn and the knowledge that an alligator may be spying on you. Just bring some mosquito spray.
Mustang Island State Park
Once named one of the “prettiest, cleanest swaths of publicly owned land on the Gulf” by Texas Monthly, Mustang Island State Park has something for everyone. There are tide pools, hiking and mountain bike paths, Texas-sized waves for surfers, white sand, and car-free beaches. If you’re up for even more, rent a kayak and head out on the paddling trail, which offers more than 20 miles of wildlife watching and shallow-water fishing.
Rockport Beach
If you like your beaches laid-back and languid, head to Rockport, about 30 miles north of Corpus Christi. There, beach-goers soak up a less-touristy vibe, lounging on blankets or seeking shade beneath palapa huts. Once a sleepy fishing village, Rockport is growing, but still lures in anglers, artists, families, and nature lovers who like the slower pace. With a broad expanse of shallow, placid water, plus playgrounds and picnic tables, Rockport Beach makes an ideal destination for families with kids.
Or bring a kayak and launch in Copano Bay, where you can take in a fiery sunset and listen to squawking seagulls as you glide. In September, the community rolls out the welcome mat for tiny, buzzing birds during the HummerBird Celebration, timed to coincide with the fall migration of Ruby-throated hummingbirds. While you’re in the area, detour up to Goose Island State Park, home of the Big Tree, which experts say sprouted from an acorn more than 1,000 years ago.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island is the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world but its national seashore is one of the state's most underrated areas. Home to sea turtle nesting grounds, 380 bird species, and 70 miles of coastline, these shores are secluded. From Malaquite Beach to South Beach, visitors can camp directly on the sand for a few dollars a night or just find a quiet spot to pitch an umbrella for the day. If you're looking to go to the island's more remote beaches, make sure your car has four-wheel drive.
Bird Island Basin
You won’t spend much time on the beach along Bird Island Basin. You’ll be in the water, thanks to some of the best windsurfing conditions in the United States. A part of the Padre Island National Seashore, the basin has steady breeze, warm Gulf waters, and shallow depths, making it perfect for beginners and experienced windsurfers alike. Additionally, there’s plenty of room for other water activities, like kayaking and fishing. There’s a boat ramp for access to Laguna Madre if you want to explore other areas of the protected seashore.
