10 Fun Things To Do In Port, Aransas Texas

TEXAS BEACHES

Port Aransas, Texas is one of the top 25 small beaches in the U.S. Nestled on Mustang Island, accessible from most Texas cities by car, a day trip usually or you can fly into Corpus Christi International Airport which is only 27 miles away. If you live in Texas, and want a fun beach for family or adult fun, Port A has you covered.

1. Beach Day

You can cruise onto Port Aransas Beach, set up some games, maybe grill and have a beach day. If you flew in, drive the beach in a local rental beach buggy or golf cart. This is a really fun way to get around the beach area, and is perfect for busier times. if you do drive on the beach, you will need a Beach Parking Sticker, find those at IGA, Ace Hardware, or Islander.

To pinpoint an excellent stretch of beach, Mustang Island State Park is the spot. There are restrooms with showers, and it is pet friendly. Campsites are also available, for tent camping and with electric hook-ups. Book a campsite here.

2. Fishing At The Horace Caldwell Pier

A 1200 foot pier where you can fish day or night located in the IB Magee Beach Park. You can fish for the famous Texas Redfish, trout, and pompano. Admission to the pier is 3$ per person with a discounted rate of 1$ for Seniors and Military Personnel. If you didn't travel with fishing gear, no worries. You can rent one for 4$ (Max 3 Poles Per Person) Or try your hand with a full rod for 20$ and a valid I.D.

3. Sunset Paddleboarding

Grab a friend or the family and take a sunset paddleboarding trip. The water in Port Aransas is mostly calm during the summer months and offers a great wide open track for paddleboarding. It's pretty easy to get the hang of once you get the balance part down, and even if you don't you can ride it like a big Texas surfboard right on your tummy. Depending on where you stay, you can have beach rentals brought right to your condo or beach.

4. Do a Self-Guided Dolphin Watching Tour at Roberts Point Park

Near the ferry landing in Port Aransas is Roberts Point Park. A large observation tower at the park overlooks the ship channel, from there you can watch the dolphins or just walk out onto the jetty to see if there is a pod at play. Be sure to look out for large ships carrying cargo through the ship channel. The dolphins like to play in their wakes. The species that is most often seen in Port Aransas is the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, you will know one if it is grey with a touch of purple on the underbelly. The best time to see them is early in the morning when the water is still. They can be seen year round but the dolphins most active season is warmer water months, think May-September.

5. Take a Free Wetlands Education Tour At The Marine Science Institute

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 9am at the UT Austin Marine Science Institute. The tour meets in front of the WEC at the beginning of the trailhead. This tour site is ADA-compliant and offers a walk of the 3.6 acre wetland trail. If you can't make the 9am start time, that's ok, you may do your own self-guided tour of the site.

6. Rent Bikes and Cruise The Strand

A nice way to take in the sites of Port Aransas at a little slower pace is riding bikes. You can rent beach cruisers, kids bikes, and three wheelers here from Big Shell Bikes . If you would like to ride a route (or a portion of) that is about 11 miles, this one begins on Corpus Christi Beach Road and offers stunning views of the coastal waters of Port A. For a pit stop take Folly Walk S. Street into town and enjoy a beverage or snack at one of the many spots in "town."

7. Kayak Lighthouse Lakes Trail

Yes, it is a trail for kayaks right here in Texas. You can access this trail easily from Lighthouse Lakes Trail Park. Located off of highway 361. There are multiple routes to choose from ranging from 1.25 to 6.8 miles, most of the trails being a 45 min to 3hr paddle. Many of the routes at Lighthouse Lakes Trail wind through sloughs and black mangroves. A fun fact, the original Civil-War Era lighthouse on the property once lost it's lens and is buried somewhere there in the marsh. You may also encounter some neat wildlife, like horned lizards and many sea birds. Here are the kayak safety tips for the Lighthouse Lakes Trail.

8. Visit The Port Aransas Museum

Whether you want a history lesson, or like to see some films of Port Aransas in the 1920s the Port A museum is the spot. They also showcase the bell from the original train that brought the rocks to build the jetty. Many exhibits are rotating. The museum will be open Thurs-Sun from 1-5 with kind volunteers giving the tours. Admission here is free, but donations are accepted.

10. Take a Pirate Cruise

The Red Dragon Pirate Ship is a replica of a Spanish Galleon Ship. Its a pretty big boat, at 75 ft. long. With your cruise, you will get a real pirate show complete with duels, canon fire, and dolphin watching. There are modern restrooms on board, and a full bar with drinks and snacks. The boat cruises gently with a top speed of 12 knots, and keeps an even keel.

9. Do The Port Aransas Prowl Scavenger Hunt

This scavenger hunt is fun for those of all ages, and once you check in and receive your itinerary, you set off at your own pace, no large groups or waiting between stops. The hunt usually takes 2 hours, but can be done in a car or golf cart. While you aren't directly competing with anyone, the stats for each group are held on a leaderboard and the hunt is best enjoyed using Whatsapp. It begins at Coffee Waves and can be booked here.