Coasting

Photo illustration by Todd Serpa. Starlight Theater, Terlingua.

Fly-fishing, South Padre.

TXDOT

Texas is blessed with more than 600 miles of uninterrupted beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, and ample opportunities for swimming, surfing, fishing, birding, or even chasing sand crabs–it’s up to you! You’ll find plenty of good food and fun on Galveston’s historic Strand or the Kemah Boardwalk as well as spectacularsunsets at Port Aransas or on Padre Island.

Other Water Adventures

  • Take the free 24-hour ferry from Aransas Pass to Port Aransas—a favorite mode of transportation for both locals and tourists. The back of the ferry is a great place to watch for dolphins playing in the ferry’s wake as you head to a rented vacation house or to spend a day at pristine Mustang Island State Park.
  • Padre Island National Seashore is the longest remaining undeveloped barrier island in the world—and a naturalist’s dream. More than 350 types of birds, including migratory, overwintering, and resident species, can be found here. From early May until late September, you can watch the release of endangered sea turtle hatchlings into the Gulf of Mexico. With 34 miles of sand dunes, clear water, and gorgeous beaches, the area abounds with other water-related activities, like deep-sea fishing, parasailing, snorkeling, sunning, and more.
  • Port Isabel is known for its shallow, clear waters, which are a great hit with anglers who come for fly-fishing in the Laguna Madre. Outfitters will make sure you have all the gear you need, including a kayak, so plan to set out early one morning for a memorable fishing adventure.
  • Visit the floating naval museum U.S.S. Lexington, docked in Corpus Christi Bay. Housed in one of the most decorated aircraft carriers in U.S. naval history, the museum’s extensive exhibits detail the history of one of the nation’s most important warships from World War II.
  • Little-known Goose Island State Park claims 307 wild acres on a peninsula between Aransas and St. Charles bays. This is a great spot for crabbing, netting oysters, and setting up camp. Not to be missed is the spectacular Big Tree of Lamar, a giant live oak thought to be more than 1,000 years old.