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 […]
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 […]
Sea Rim State Park protects 4,141 acres where the Gulf of Mexico meets marshland, creating diverse ecosystems within one park. The park features 5 miles of beach and 10 miles of paddling trails through wetlands. Unique amenities include primitive camping directly on the beach and floating platforms for overnight kayak trips in the marsh. The […]
Galveston Island State Park offers 2,000 acres of protected coastal environment with both beach and bay sides accessible to visitors. Following a major renovation completed in 2022, the park features new facilities including a beach information station, expanded hiking trails, and improved beach access points. The park preserves natural dune systems and coastal prairie, providing […]
Jamaica Beach is a small, peaceful coastal community on the west end of Galveston Island that offers a quieter beach experience away from the more touristy areas. This residential beach town has public beach access points with less crowded shores than those near the Seawall. The beach features soft sand and moderate waves, ideal for […]
Malaquite Beach is the centerpiece of Padre Island National Seashore, offering a vehicle-free stretch of pristine shoreline managed by the National Park Service. The beach features a visitor center with educational exhibits about the barrier island ecosystem. The gentle slope into the Gulf makes it ideal for swimming, while the absence of vehicles creates a […]