Texas has 367 miles of coast along the Gulf of Mexico, and the public has access to most of this shoreline. The incredible beaches and temperate climate along the gulf make coastal towns in Texas popular for living, retiring and visiting. As you evaluate where you want to go, consider this list of the best coastal towns in Texas.
1. Corpus Christi
First on the list of the best coastal towns in Texas is Corpus Christi. This community has 40 beaches and 53.83 miles of coastline. In addition, you can swim nearly all year (364 days) and expect an average summer temperature of 86.6 degrees and average winter temperatures in the high 50s to 70s. With a metro population of 422,194, Corpus Christi is one of the largest cities on the Gulf in Texas.
The cost of living is lower than the national average by 10%, making the list of the most affordable beach towns in America for those who want to purchase homes.
This community has all the amenities you could want, including museums, restaurants, shopping, natural environments and family activities like the aquarium. During your visit, you can visit undeveloped Padre Island and Mustang Beach as well as more developed areas such as North Beach and McGee Beach, among others. On the water, you can enjoy fishing, a variety of boat tours and numerous water sports, including kayaking, paddle boarding, water skiing, surfing, kite surfing, windsurfing, canoeing and wakeboarding.
2. Galveston
Second on the list of the best beach towns in Texas is Galveston. This barrier island has 49.18 miles of coastline across 17 beaches. Its annual weather is comparable to Corpus Christi, giving you 364 beach days per year. You will find a beautiful blend of historic and modern architecture with many amenities. In addition to the beaches, you will find Moody Gardens, the Kemah Boardwalk and Schlitterbahn Waterpark. You can also visit the wetlands for some incredible bird watching.
Galveston also has a thriving arts scene, including visual and performing arts. Live music is available throughout the area, and Galveston has a wide variety of restaurants for your inner foodie. With a population of 53,089 as of 2022, Galveston has the conveniences of a city without the crowdedness of other beach towns.
3. Port Aransas
Port Aransas lands on the list of the best beach towns in Texas due to its five beaches and 4.35 miles of coastline. It also has nearly a full year of beach days (364) with average summer temperatures in the 80s and winter temperatures in the 60s. This coastal community is on Mustang Island and is the fishing capital of Texas and one of the top small towns in Texas, with a population of only 3,277.
You will find a vibrant restaurant scene, hiking and watersports. Visit the Lydia Ann Lighthouse or the Leonabull Turbull Birding Center in town in between your days swimming, beachcombing and sunbathing. Port Aransas also has a wide variety of events and festivals, including the Whooping Crane Festival, Beachtober, Restaurant Week, Harvest Moon Regatta and Texas Sandfest.
4. Rockport
Rockport, TX is a slightly larger community than Port Aransas with a population of 10, 713. Although it only has one beach, the climate is perfect for enjoying the beach throughout the year.
In this small coastal community, you will find a family-friendly atmosphere, where you can enjoy beach activities, fishing, birding and watersports. The beach in Rockport is clean and well-managed. During your time in Rockport, you can visit the Rockport Center for the Arts, Fulton Mansion, Texas Maritime Museum and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Rockport also has farmers’ markets you can visit throughout the year and events every month, such as the Whooping Crane Strut in March, Rockport Gospel Music Festival in January and Rockport Art Festival in July.
5. Port Lavaca
Like many others on our list of the best coastal towns in Texas, Port Lavaca is a smaller town with a population of only 11,406. Because you are close to Corpus Christi and San Antonio, you have easy access to any amenities or activities you could desire.
This coastal town is home to Magnolia Beach, the only place on the Gulf Coast with an abundance of natural shells. In addition, you can visit the Lighthouse and Alamo Beaches.
Port Lavaca is popular for saltwater fishing and water sports. In addition, Port Lavaca is a birding paradise, located on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. You can also see unique bird species at the Port Lavaca Bird Sanctuary, Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area and Guadalupe Delta Wildlife Management Area.
6. Freeport
Freeport, TX lands on the list of the best coastal towns in Texas because it is “where the fun happens.” In Freeport, you have access to 15.75 miles of coastline on four beaches. The sub-tropical climate gives you nearly a full year of beach days. The lower population (11,617) results in a smaller community.
From Freeport, you can visit the Flower Gardens National Marine Sanctuary, while in Freeport, you can tour Freeport Wetlands Trail & Bird Observatory as well as the Freeport Historical Museum and Memorial Park when you need a few hours away from the beach. You can also spend days on the water snorkeling or diving the U.S.’s northernmost coral reefs or birding, fishing, swimming, relaxing or camping on natural, undeveloped Bryan Beach.
7. Port Isabel
If you want adventure, Port Isabel, located at the southernmost tip of Texas, may just hide buried pirate treasure, which places it in the list of the best coastal towns in Texas. This small town has 4,470 residents.
Although Port Isabel is a popular fishing destination, and local restaurants will even cook your catch for you. Watch dolphins play in the sea, jet ski in the bay or just enjoy the view from one of Texas’s longest fishing piers or right on the beach. While you are in Port Isabel, you can visit the Treasures of the Gulf Coast Museum, the Port Isabel Lighthouse, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and the Port Isabel Historic Museum.
Visit the Best Coastal Towns in Texas
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