Mustang Island sits on the Texas Gulf Coast with 18 miles of shoreline, a thriving wildlife corridor, and enough on- and off-water activity to fill a long weekend.
Key Takeaways
- Visiting Mustang Island State Park is one of the most popular things to do on Mustang Island, TX, with 3,954 acres of Gulf beach.
- Paddling the Mustang Island Paddling Trail is a favorite among kayakers, covering 20 miles of Corpus Christi Bay in three segments.
- Watching wild dolphins from a cruise out of Port Aransas is one of the most memorable experiences near Mustang Island.
- Birding at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas is a must for wildlife lovers.
Mustang Island is a barrier island just off the coast of Corpus Christi, connected to the mainland by the JFK Causeway and separated from Port Aransas by the ferry crossing. Stretching 18 miles long and formed from sand carried by ancient ocean currents roughly 2,500 years ago, the island sits at the northern end of a chain of barrier islands running along the Texas Gulf Coast.
The island also protects the bay from Gulf storms and supports a surprising variety of coastal wildlife. That all sounds impressive, but is there anything to do on Mustang Island, TX, beyond sitting on the beach?
What Is There To Do on Mustang Island, TX?
Mustang Island offers more than a classic beach day. Here are five of the best things to do on the island.
1. Spend the Day at Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State Park covers 3,954 acres at the southern end of the island and gives visitors access to a long stretch of undeveloped Gulf beach. The park is a strong spot for surf fishing, whether you’re casting from the beach, fishing near the Fish Pass jetties, or wading the bay-side waters for redfish and trout.
From April through July, Kemp’s ridley sea turtles come ashore on the beach to nest. It’s one of the few places in the world where this endangered species does so, and spotting one is a genuinely rare experience.
2. Camp Near the Beach
Spending a night or two on Mustang Island is a different experience from a day trip. The state park offers both electric hookup sites and primitive drive-up sites directly on a 1.5-mile stretch of beach, putting you close enough to fall asleep to the sound of the surf.
For travelers looking for more comfort and amenities while staying close to the island, there are camping options near Mustang Island worth considering before you book a spot on the beach.
3. Kayak the Mustang Island Paddling Trail
The Mustang Island Paddling Trail runs 20 miles along the bay side of the island in three segments:
- The 8.5-mile North Trail
- The 5.24-mile Shamrock Loop
- The 6.8-mile Ashum Trail
The trails follow the western shoreline of Corpus Christi Bay through tidal flats, coastal wetlands, and shallow fishing waters. The Shamrock Loop is the most sheltered route, while the North Trail offers a more open bay experience.
4. Go Birding at Local Nature Preserves
With over 400 bird species recorded on Mustang Island, birding is one of the most rewarding low-effort activities the island offers. The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas sits on the north end of the island. It features a boardwalk over a shallow wetland that attracts roseate spoonbills, herons, egrets, and shorebirds.
Migration season, particularly spring and fall, brings large concentrations of birds pushing along the coast. During weather events that force migrating birds to land, the island can see dramatic fallouts where dozens of species appear at once in the dunes and grasslands.
5. Take a Dolphin-Watching Cruise
Port Aransas, at the northern tip of Mustang Island, is the launching point for several dolphin-watching cruises on the Gulf and bay waters. Many tours also include shrimp trawls, giving passengers a chance to see bottlenose dolphins, crabs, fish, and shrimp.
Because Gulf water temperatures stay mild year-round, dolphins are present in every season, making this a reliable activity regardless of when you visit.
Make Sunset Ridge Your Base for Exploring Mustang Island
Mustang Island rewards visitors who give it more than a single afternoon, and Sunset Ridge RV Resort is built for that kind of stay. The resort’s 158 oversized, fully paved sites offer full hookups with 30/50-amp service and room to park a boat alongside your rig.
After a full day on the water, the heated saltwater pool, hot tub, and catch-and-release fishing ponds give you easy ways to relax without leaving the property.
Book your stay at Sunset Ridge RV Resort, one of the best RV resorts in Corpus Christi, and put Mustang Island right at your doorstep.