Bolivar Flats Beach is part of the Globally Important Bird Area managed by Houston Audubon Society. The unique habitat includes salt marsh, mud flats, and beach, creating one of the most important shorebird sanctuaries on the Gulf Coast. During migration seasons, tens of thousands of birds can be observed in a single day, including rare […]
Palacios Beach on Matagorda Bay offers a small-town beach experience with calm, shallow waters ideal for families with young children. The beach features a lighted fishing pier extending into the bay for angling without a boat. The area is known as the “Shrimp Capital of Texas” with fresh seafood available directly from boats at the […]
La Poza Beach (The Pool) is a unique section of Boca Chica Beach where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico at the southernmost point in Texas. The area features a natural pool formed where freshwater meets saltwater, creating calm swimming conditions and interesting ecological interactions. The beach offers views across the river mouth […]
Lighthouse Beach Park in Port Lavaca combines beach access with historical significance, featuring a replica of the 1850s Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse as its centerpiece. The park includes a 2,200-foot boardwalk over Lavaca Bay with covered observation decks for wildlife viewing and fishing. A bird sanctuary within the park includes natural wetlands with interpretive signage explaining […]
North Beach at Port Mansfield offers one of the most remote and undeveloped beach experiences in Texas. The beach is accessible via a sandy path through the dunes starting at Fred Stone County Park. Four-wheel drive is strongly recommended due to the soft sand. The remote location between Corpus Christi and South Padre Island means […]
Port Isabel Lighthouse Beach sits in the shadow of the historic 1852 Port Isabel Lighthouse, the only lighthouse on the Texas coast open to the public. The small beach area on the Laguna Madre offers protected waters ideal for young children. The area combines beach access with historical significance, including a museum and visitors center […]
San Luis Pass Beach sits at the southwestern tip of Galveston Island where a pass connects the Gulf of Mexico to West Bay. The beach is renowned for exceptional fishing, particularly for speckled trout and redfish around the pass. Strong currents and sudden drop-offs make swimming dangerous and officially prohibited, but the area remains popular […]
High Island Beach sits at the northeastern end of the Bolivar Peninsula, offering a less developed beach experience with unique geological features. The name comes from the salt dome that raises the community 38 feet above sea level—unusual elevation for the Texas coast. The beach is bordered by the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, creating excellent […]
Surfside Jetty Park centers around a long stone jetty extending into the Gulf of Mexico at the entrance to Freeport Harbor. The jetty provides exceptional fishing opportunities without a boat, attracting anglers targeting redfish, speckled trout, and shark. The park includes a children’s playground, pavilions with picnic tables, and clean restroom facilities. Walking the jetty […]
Andy Bowie Park is a 28-acre county park on South Padre Island featuring excellent Gulf beach access with comprehensive amenities. The park offers more than 500 feet of beachfront with clean facilities including restrooms, showers, and changing areas. Beach umbrella and chair rentals are available seasonally. The adjacent South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center […]