Why Port Aransas Is the Texas Beach Town Worth Planning a Trip Around

Known as the Fishing Capital of Texas, Port Aransas lies on Mustang Island and is a favorite beach town for both Texans and out-of-state visitors. It’s a spot that puts you right on island time, where priorities shift from deadlines and emails to happy hour and beach memories. Families find plenty of things to do between sandy beach days and area attractions, and those looking to stay active and explore discover surrounding wetlands and nature that are ripe for birdwatching, long walks, kayaking, and fishing excursions. From activities and restaurants to hotels and events, here’s our guide to a vacation in Port Aransas.   

Port A offers lots of sandy beaches that entice travelers. There’s Mustang Island, where 18 miles of coastline offer fishing spots and room to spread out for sandcastle building, plus Mustang Island State Park, which requires an entrance fee but offers showers and restrooms, ranger programs for kids, and the 20+ mile Mustang Island Paddling Trail. Near the South Jetty, I.B. Magee Beach Park sits on 167 acres with numerous campground sites with full hookups. To get away from pretty much anyone and everyone, check out San Jose Island, a private nearby island only accessible by jetty boat from Fisherman’s Wharf. There are no amenities here at all, so bring your own food, water, and anything else you might need, and pack out your trash when you leave.

About a 30-minute drive south along the island is Padre Island National Seashore, where 66 miles of shoreline are protected by the National Park Service. Camping is allowed, but there are no other lodging options within the Seashore boundary. A big draw here are sea turtle hatchling releases, which take place between mid-June through August. Because Texas’ Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are critically endangered, their eggs are taken into an incubation facility at the National Seashore, and then the hatchlings are released at Malaquite Beach, where about 1,300 people watch as they make their way into the surf for the first time. 

Of course you’ll want to fish in the Fishing Capital of Texas. Port Aransas’ location on a barrier island gives anglers access to fishing the bays, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, which all offer different experiences. Inshore, you’ll catch fish such as redfish, flounder, and trout, while deeper, offshore waters bring in marlin, tuna, mahi mahi, and more. You can fish from the shore, jetties, docks, a kayak, or take a chartered boat trip out into the Gulf, depending on what you’re looking to experience. A number of guides are available throughout the area. 

The University of Texas at Austin’s Marine Science Institute is a research hub for learning about our coastal waterways and marine environments. Visitors can check out the Patton Center for Marine Science Education, where eight aquaria offer visitors a look at various marine life from the region. Kids enjoy walking through the interactive exhibits, and the Wetlands Education Center just outside offers walking trails to see local flora and fauna. 

Learn about the history of Port A at the Port Aransas Museum, where thousands of photos and documents tell the story of the city, and permanent exhibits, including films, the Fourth Order Fresnel lens that topped the Lydia Ann Lighthouse from 1878 to 1952, and the bell from the train that brought in the jetty rocks illustrate how Port A came to be.

The museum also leads free, guided tours of the Chapel on the Dunes, a 250-square-foot historical chapel overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Situated on a sand dune, the chapel is the oldest functional consecrated church on the island, and inside, walls painted with Old and New Testament stories in beachy tones offer a whimsical yet grounding experience. The stained glass windows bring in gorgeous lighting, and there are benches inside to sit. The little chapel only holds about 20 people, so it’s an intimate experience and an incredible photo op. 

A part of the Port Aransas Museum, Farley Boat Works is an iconic boat building shop with more than 100 years of history. In 1910, young Barney Farley arrived in Port Aransas from Florida to visit family. He wanted to be a tarpon guide, and while learning guiding skills, told his brother, Fred, who was a master woodworker, about the opportunity to build fishing boats in Port Aransas. Fred moved his family to Port Aransas, and in 1915, the first tarpon boat from Farley Boat Works was launched. Eventually, Barney did become a fishing guide, and Farley Boat Works cemented their legacy as master boat builders. Today, visitors can stop by Farley Boat Works and watch boats being built, and even take boat-building classes.

Extra Tip: Notice the small Farley boat planter boxes in yards across town? They’re a beautification project from the Port Aransas Garden Club and a way to remember Port A’s maritime history. You can still buy them today and paint them as you wish. Spot them at businesses and homes across town. 

Bird enthusiasts will enjoy the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, where a huge variety of migratory and year-round birds are constantly spotted. See belted and green kingfishers, great horned owls, vultures, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and even the endangered whooping crane, the tallest bird species in North America. Two boardwalks guide you over freshwater wetlands, and the site connects to the Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture South Trail, which takes you over marshes and grasslands. On Wednesday mornings, there’s a free birding meetup at the boardwalk, where guides lead birders through the Center while checking bird species off their lists. 

Wander through the Port Aransas Art Center and see paintings, photography, watercolors, textile works, and more from artists who love island life. There’s always an exhibition going, plus monthly shows and events. Workshops and classes in a variety of mediums also occur throughout the year. 

Port Aransas’ calm bays and wetlands offer huge kayaking opportunities, where you can fish straight from a kayak, take a pair of binoculars with you for birding, or simply enjoy paddling through the water. You’ll more than likely spot dolphins, but dozens of bird species are also consistently sighted. Hector Rios with Coastal Bend Kayaking has led tours since 2002, and offers tours along the Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail, sunset and full moon tours, guided fishing tours, and bird migration tours. Paddling with Rios through Aransas Pass, I’ve spotted dolphins, kingfishers, ospreys, snowy egrets, great blue herons, gulls, white ibis, and much more. 

Covering more than 115,000 acres, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is known as the wintering home for the last wild flock of endangered whooping cranes. It takes a bit of effort to get here, but the Refuge is worth it for birders and those looking for a primitive slice of nature. There’s a 16-mile driving tour you can take, or you can pack a picnic and hang out by San Antonio Bay, go fishing from piers, or walk up to the observation towers to see what other birds and wildlife you can spot. 

Golf carts are a way of life in Port A. You’ll see them parked in front of every bar and restaurant in town, as locals and visitors alike love them for their ease in getting to and from the beach with gear in tow. They’re much easier to drive down beaches on than a car, and you can feel the breeze through your hair while bopping about town. Numerous suppliers are found throughout Port A. 

Held each February, the Whooping Crane Festival honors the area’s migratory whooping cranes, which come to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge each winter before heading back to Canada. The whooping crane almost went extinct in the 1940s, due to hunting, habitat loss, and the destruction of nesting grounds, and conservation efforts have saved the species, albeit the crane’s endangered status. The festival includes a multitude of events each day, including birding boat tours through the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, kayak trips, birding lectures, and photography workshops. 

With a patio and bar plus indoor seating, Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill is one of the top spots in Port A. The dinner menu includes faves such as crab cakes and poke tuna, plus Cajun- and Southern-inspired dishes including fried fish and redfish pontchartrain. I recommend the sesame-crusted Thai tuna, which is seared and served with rice and a zippy kale salad. 

Technically a bar, The Gaff is a must stop for its pizza. Order the “World Famous Gaffer,” which is essentially a supreme pizza and a local favorite. The backyard is full of seating, and regular events include live music and the iconic belt sander races, where competitors race belt sanders down a wooden track. Just note that on belt sander race days, the bar is packed with spectators. 

There’s usually a full parking lot and a line out the door for La Playa Mexican Grille. The menu focuses on Mexican and Tex-Mex fare with island flair. Find seafood enchiladas and fish tacos, plus items such as nachos and fajitas. The bar has more than 70 varieties of tequila, so make sure to order a drink and toast to island time. 

Located at Palmilla Beach Resort, the Black Marlin is a calmer, cozier alternative to some of the busier restaurants that are closer to town. Seafood is the main feature on the menu, but you’ll also find steaks and burgers, too. 

At Cinnamon Shore resort, Stout’s at the Shore features New American fare with a rotating, seasonal menu. Find oysters on the half shell, various fish dishes, plus steaks and seafood pastas. 

The Crazy Cajun is a Port A institution. Here, seafood boils are the main draw, as are seasonal crawfish boils, which are dumped straight onto your dining table with potatoes and corn. If you’re not into Cajun boils, the Crazy Cajun also serves ribs, red beans and rice, gumbo, jambalaya, and étoufée with shrimp or crawfish. 

This small coffee shop is great for a quick breakfast on the go or a slow start to the morning with friends. Of course, the coffee selection is large, and breakfast paninis are a quick option for when you need to hit the road. They also serve a selection of pastries, and the gelato is a tasty afternoon pick-me-up.  

A popular spot in the marina, Trout Street Bar and Grill comes with beautiful views from the patio and a large, seafood-heavy menu. They’ll cook your catch after a day on the water, or you can choose from items such as brown butter mahi mahi, the Gulf shrimp platter, seafood pasta, or fried seafood plates. Go for lunch and order a po’ boy while you take in the Gulf breeze.

Since the late ‘70s, Seafood and Spaghetti Works has been serving, you guessed it, seafood dishes plus spaghetti and other Italian fare. The patio is a great spot for a cocktail after a day in the sun, and don’t skip on the pizza, made with from-scratch dough. 

Families love Cinnamon Shore, which is essentially its own community of vacation rentals, restaurants, and amenities. Large homes, townhomes, cottages, and condos are available, and eateries include casual pizzerias to elevated New American spots. There are three pools throughout the resort, and beach access straight from your rental. Golf carts, beach chairs, and umbrellas are available to rent, and the resort also organizes regular events such as yoga at the beach and fireside s’mores. 

Just beyond the sand dunes, Port Royal Ocean Resort and Conference Center includes numerous large pools with ocean views plus activities to keep kids and adults busy. There’s scheduled sandcastle building lessons, movie nights, yoga, water zumba, and more. Walk across the resort’s boardwalk to get onto the beach, and use the beach concierge service for beach chairs and extras. Aside from the cabana bar and poolside food truck, Restaurant 361 gives visitors an on-site dining option after a long day in the sun.

Behind the 200-foot-long porches at the Tarpon Inn lies a rich history. The Inn was built in 1886 to house workers for the Mansfield Jetty, and after jetty work was complete, the Tarpon Inn became a hotel. Visitors enjoy the Inn’s front porch rocking chairs and Key West-style architecture, and the on-site restaurant, Roosevelt’s, is an upscale experience. Tuck into the 1886 Bar after dinner, and lounge by the pool at leisure. 

With more than 175 vacation home rentals, Palmilla Beach is another Port A community perfect for families and couples. Two pools have cabana service and poolside food and beverage service, and the community has beach access with chairs, umbrellas, and food service. The nine-hole golf course was originally designed by Arnold Palmer, and includes a driving range and putting green. There are multiple eateries on site, and an event calendar keeps the whole family entertained.