Texas may be the land of deserts and cattle ranches, but it is also home to some of the best beaches in America. The Texas Gulf region is a tourist destination in its own right, with beaches and islands that offer a variety of waterfront recreational activities including surfing, family play, fishing and boating.
Isla Blanca Park, located on the southern tip of South Padre Island on the Gulf of Mexico, is considered the jewel among all of the beaches in the Cameron County Parks and Recreation District. The park consists of 1 mile of sandy beaches with plenty of waterfront recreational activities, from surfing to shelling and jetty fishing. The beach has over 600 RV sites, which can be reserved for overnight camping. The park also includes two pavilions, picnic and playground areas, a marina and a 1,000 foot sea walk. There are also a number of clubs and restaurants nearby.
Isla Blanca Park
100 South Padre Island TX 78597
956-761-5494
co.cameron.tx.us
Stewart Beach in Galveston, Texas is one of the premier family beaches in the state. This alcohol-free beach features pavilions, picnic areas, volleyball courts, bumper boats, water slides, concession areas and a bath house. The beach is available for weddings, family reunions, company parties and other special events by reservation. March through May the beach is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and until 6 p.m. on weekends. June through September hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, and until 7 p.m. on weekends. Stewart Beach has limited hours for the first two weekends in October and is closed from November through February.
Stewart Beach
6th St. and Seawall Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77550
409-765-5023
galvestonislandbeachpatrol.com
Located about 60 miles from Houston, Surfside Beach is a coastal community with miles of sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Surfside earned its name for its deep water and long jetties that produce some of the best and most consistent surf conditions along the upper coast of Texas. Bay and offshore fishing are also excellent at Surfside Beach. The deep water attracts red snapper, bonita and kingfish. Activities on and near the beach include horseback riding, bicycling, jet skiing, bungee jumping, water slides and more.
Village of Surfside Beach
1304 Monument Dr.
Surfside Beach, TX 77541
979-233-1531
surfsidebeachtx.org
Mustang Island is an 18-mile long barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Texas 5 miles of sandy beaches, ample waterfront recreation activities and more for an active and relaxing beach vacation. The island park offers hiking, kayaking, surfing, swimming, mountain biking and picnicking. There are 48 guest sites with electricity and water, and 300 primitive camping sites available on the beach. The State Park takes up the entire southern third of the island, which connects to South Padre Island by roadway. Eco-tourism is becoming very popular on the island because of the efforts to preserve the ecosystem and keep the landscape as natural as possible.
Mustang Island State Park
17047 State Hwy 361
P O Box 326
Port Aransas TX 78373
361-749-5246
tpwd.state.tx.us
