Continue reading to learn about The Best of Rockport Texas! Rockport is a small coastal community surrounded by Aransas and Copano Bays on three sides. Don’t come here expecting to find a lot of spring breakers, as this area is more quiet and peaceful than many of the waterfront towns on the Texas Coast. The Rockport-Fulton area is well-known for the beautiful windswept Oaks that dot the landscape. Some of the other major attractions of Rockport are its thriving artist’s community, its great fishing, an award winning beach and one of the best birding areas in North America. Come visit Rockport Beach Texas! Visit Rockport beach on our Texas Beaches page or on Pinterest.
Rockport Weather – Best Time to Visit
Visiting Rockport during the month of May when temperatures are still hot but hotels are more affordable is the best month. Temperatures hover in the low 80s, just a bit cooler than the average 85°F you would experience during high season. Most visit Rockport in the summer and this is the busiest season. You should also try avoiding the Memorial Day week (May 25th – 29th) and the July 4th Holiday week (June 29th to July 9th), as accommodations can be expensive during these dates. There are an average of 14 days with precipitation each month between August and October, so expect some rain if you go to Rockport during this season.
Best Rockport Area Beaches
Rockport Beach
Rockport BeachTake advantage of Rockport Beach’s facilities and have a BBQ, go for a swim and walk along the pristine waterfront. Rockport Beach is renowned for being exceptionally clean and locals are proud of the waterfront here.
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Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National SeashoreWildlife lovers must visit Padre Island. The barrier island is large, undeveloped and it hosts sea turtles, hundreds of bird species, dolphins, marine life and plenty of elbow room. Over 70 miles of coastline is available with more than 30 miles of beaches to explore.
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Crystal Beach
Crystal BeachCrystal Beach is popular during peak season, and is laid back and fun. It is far less crowded than many of the area beaches. The sunsets are epic and the ability to park right at the beach without taking a ferry is a huge bonus. Crystal Beach is 4 miles long of beautiful coastline.
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Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State ParkMustang Island State Park is a favorite for hikers and bikers, but the beaches are amazing! Beach combing is a popular activity and you can walk for miles along the tranquil shorelines. If you really want an adventure, take advantage of the camping options and stay for a few days. You can camp in the park or just outside of the park.
San Jose Island
San Jose IslandSan Jose Island is accessible by ferry, and runs on an hourly basis. Fisherman love the habitat here and casting a line off the beach or rocks might bring back a sea trout, red fish or one of the many species swimming through the waters here.
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Best Rockport Restaurants
Paradise Key Dockside Bar & Grill $11 – 30
Enjoy breathtaking views of nature at its finest…and while you’re there, enjoy the finest cuisine the Coastal Bend has to offer. They specialize in freshly prepared seafood and unique “Marina Munchies”, plus steaks, Rockport’s best burgers, and delicious tropical drinks. Whether by car or boat, see spectacular views of the bay and wildlife preserve from their panoramic indoor dining room or dockside bar and dining area. They are open 7 days a week and feature live music, Thursday through Sunday. Take along family, friends, or groups to enjoy great food, drinks, music, and views in our friendly, beach-casual atmosphere. Telephone: 361-729-6000 Web: Paradise Key Dockside Bar & Grill.
The Groove $11 – 30
At The Groove they love to surprise their guests with an interesting dining experience with flavors with which they may or may not be familiar with. Many of their herbs, fruit and vegetables that they use are grown right out back in The Groove Gardens. Their Prime Meats and Prime Fish are never frozen and all of their ingredients are as fresh as possible to your plate. Telephone: 361-729-3663 Web: The Groove.
Steerburger Grill & Grub Under $10
Specialty burgers made with 100% FRESH ground Chuck, their special blend of seasoning, and char grilled over mesquite briquets. They also serve grilled chicken dishes and daily specials. Telephone: 361-450-6740 Web: them on Facebook.
Redfish Willie’s Waterfront Grill $11 – 30
Whether you enjoy the casual laid back lifestyle or an evening of fine dining, Redfish Willie’s is definitely your place to be. Chef Jeremy Lee has created an array of seafood, pastas, sandwiches, chicken and some downright great Cajun dishes that are enjoyed every day in the casual Redfish Willie’s setting. Telephone: 361-758-9991 Web: Redfish Willie’s Waterfront Grill.
Cheryl’s $11 – 30
Unique offerings with an emphasis on flavor. Steaks, curry, pasta, chicken, grilled pork and legumes. Fresh flounder, bay oysters and shrimp when in season. Mornings in the A.O. Cuzco Coutyard – Sidewalk Cafe: New Orleans style beignets and cafe au lait. Croque Monsieur sandwich – bagels with smoked salmon – Italian cream sodas, Vietnamese style iced coffee. Telephone: call 361-790-9626 Web: Cheryl’s.
Best Rockport Beach Bars
Moondog Seaside Eatery
Moondog Seaside Eatery is located right on the water in Fulton, Texas with great food, views, fresh seafood and a full bar. They serve the coldest beer in town and mouthwatering seafood. Their brisket nachos, crab cakes, fish tacos, and sweet potato fries are just a few items on their menu that are among our customer’s favorites. They have a full bar with 12 beers on tap and Happy Hour specials. Telephone: 361-729-6200 Web: Moondog Seaside Eatery
Fulton Beach Bar & Grill
If you are looking for a fun, laid back atmosphere, where locals go to drink and dance. This is the place! They have great food, drinks, pools tables and a DJ. Telephone: 361-727-0333 Web: Fulton Beach Bar & Grill
Poor Man’s Country Club
Relax with an ice cold beer or a drink from their full bar on one of their 2 decks overlooking the ski basin and Little Bay. Enjoy a salad, fish taco, fried shrimp basket or cheeseburger from their grill. With two outdoor decks, Poor Man’s Country Club is the perfect place to catch cool breezes and enjoy views of jet skis and kayakers in Little Bay. The spacious cedar interior with roll up doors invites you to sit back and catch up with your favorite team on one of the many TV screens. Telephone: 361-729-7667 Web: Poor Man’s Country Club.
Latitude 2802
Provides a contemporary dining experience in charming Rockport, Texas. Specializing in fresh, local seafood, Latitude 28°02′ has come to be known as a culinary gem and favorite watering hole among the locals. Telephone: 361-727-9009 Web: Latitude 2802.
Glow Seafood Kitchen
From their tiny rustic boathouse, Glow offers simply cooked meals along with cocktails, wine and beer in a relaxed setting. Glow is a tiny rustic bistro occupying a former sailboat repair shop. Chef/Owners Karey and David Swartwout offer simple seasonal coastal cooking, featuring local seafood as well as Texas game. Guests can enjoy a relaxing meal in the bright airy dining room, cozy bar and covered porch and garden overlooking Little Bay. Telephone: 361-727-2644 Web: Glow Seafood Kitchen.
Best Rockport Beach Hotels
I’ve never been to Texas, other than a layover. I should travel down there and check it out. I heard that everything is bigger in Texas, so maybe the beaches are as well!
Everything is bigger in Texas! I will agree with that statement. I just moved to Florida from Texas, and I MISS Texas. Didn’t think I would, but Texas is just welcoming, with great hospitality. Anyway, Rockport is a great beach town to visit. Thanks for reading!
Amazing pictures that really capture the beauty of this place. Very informative on all aspects. I have visited Rockport before, but this makes me want to go again. There is a lot that I realized that I have missed! Thank you so much for the information!
You are welcome Cristy, and Rockport is a Texas gem I think. I love the place 🙂 Thanks for reading Rockport Beach Texas.
Wow ! What a cute little tucked away beach town! I like how its not that populated and crowded ( I hate crowds) and that there is alot of outdoor bird watching to do. I am curious to check out the Fulton mansion. Is it haunted? What is the nightlife like here too?
Yes, it is a great little beach town. No, Fulton Mansion is not haunted. Some have tried to create ghost stories, but there are none. There are several good spots for nightlife ( listed in the post 🙂 and you will find dancing as well. Actually a great little town with everything to offer. Thanks for visiting my Rockport Beach Texas post!
Well I believe this is one of the best set out blogs I have seen it has everything in place video etc. Great information!
Thank you Joseph and for taking the time to leave me comments 🙂
Wow. I’m going to put this on my leap list. I can’t wait to try out the spots that you’ve highlighted in this article. Since I’m really into trying out different food, I will definitely check those bars and grills that you’ve mentioned here. It’s handy too that you’ve put some hotel selections because that really takes away the frustration of looking for different places to stay.
Anyway, thanks for this!
Dredd
I have everything for you 🙂 Just book and come visit us in Texas! Rockport Beach will be here waiting.
Hi there,
This place looks wonderful. I’m glad you shared Rockport Beach with me and I’ll will be surely visiting in the future. I’ve had a lot of luck with CheapFights so I’ll probably book with them. Also Car rental 8 I’ve heard were great. Thanks for these money saving tips. 🙂
One for sure spot I’ll be visiting is Redneck Outdoors and Guide. I love to fish, and it sounds like John will show me a great time. I would love hearing those screaming drags.
You would enjoy Jonathan. I think you will find that Texas beaches, anything along the Gulf is going to be very reasonable. Look forward to seeing you here in Texas soon!
Thanks for the specific details! I feel very informed about Rockport Beach Texas. I must say, after reading this post, I want to visit that area one day. I have been to San Antonio and Houston, but oh man this sure looks like a nice quiet and “secret” spot to just relax.
This is a more quiet and peaceful spot, than going to San Antonio and Houston, plus you get the ocean and beach with it. You can’t miss!
Hi Leahrae,
I immediately was attracted to your beautiful site. Anything to do with beach + travel destinations, and I am there!
Who knew this gem even existed in Texas? I like the thought of visiting a thriving art community and the restaurants look amazing!
You had mentioned there were not a lot of “spring breakers” there which is also fine by me. What type of visitor does this area usually draw to the area? Families, retired couples, honeymooners?
I really appreciate all the information you’ve provided (very detailed!) and will definitely put Rockport Beach on my list of beach locations to visit.
Thank you,
Margy
You, know you get a little bit of everybody coming to Rockport, but the college crowd heads for South Padre and Galveston. I am glad you enjoyed reading Margy! Thanks for visiting Rockport Beach Texas!
I would love to visit Texas next year. I think your blog has highlighted the beach and I can’t to visit there.
Is it possible to do paragliding and jet skiing around there?
By the way I’m a vegetarian, would it be inconvenient for me to dine around this area?
Thanks for visiting Rockport beach Ian. Yes, there are water sports activities and you could definitely go jet skiing and paragliding. You will not have a problem locating restaurant, foods for vegans 🙂 This whole area is beautiful and you can see a lot of beautiful beaches and places all in fairly close proximity.
Wow, another great beach write up from the state of TX. Who knew? Clearly it’s just me. I would like to go some place more for the winter holidays so thanks for including the map. But with family down that way, it’s always good to have options for things to do because you never know when you might find yourself looking for a beach in Texas. Anybody have any personal experiences with the food in Rockport Beach? Yes, good food can make or break my trip! Thanks!
Yes, Judith good food can. All the restaurants I listed are the favorites of the locals and visitors. Stick with them 🙂 Rockport is awesome! The beach is great as well ..
Wow, never knew you can find such a beautiful beach in Texas! Thank you for including the airport information, or else I would have gone on google search and google maps in attempt to find the best airport. Looks there is much to do there as well. This location will go on my list of spots to travel when I’m in that area again. Thanks for sharing!
~Jo
You are most welcome Jo! The locations of airports is a good thing to know, so you can guage the trip distance to your final vacation spot 🙂 Rockport Beach is a great place where most Texans love to go! Thanks for visiting!
Rockport Beach! Sounds great. I have never been to that part of Texas and the lack of spring breakers would suit me fine! You really have set out plenty of things to do. Do you actually visit all the spots? What a great job that is! The bird watching trip sounds great. (how can you tell a bird watching boat? It lists!) haha I used to run a bird boat in the DRy Tortugas on the east side of the gulf! Good job, I wanna go visit!
Great Dennis! When you are ready, just let me know 🙂 I will help plan your trip to Rockport Beach Texas!
That looks like an awesome beach. I am planning a trip to the USA next year and I certainly want to visit Texas at some point in my life.
The only two beaches that I have been to in America are Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach. VA Beach was great, but at Myrtle Beach, it just rained the whole time.
How would you say that Rockport Beach compares to these two East coast destinations?
I would say that you would have a fantastic time. Rockport is one of those places that everybody in Texas loves. The beach is probably the best in the state in my opinion. I would definitely prefer them over any others. I would also visit Galveston Island beach too though, fun place!
I have just been hearing a lot about Rockport and this beach! I did not realize what a good beach destination this is. I thought it would be a lot hotter there, but the weather is great. A lot of information, Thank you!
cheers
Jose
Thanks for visiting!
You have done such a great review on Rockport Beach in Texas. I have been looking at a beach destination for my next holiday destination with good fishing, nice hotel and food. Do you know who I could contact any local companies for holiday package deals or is it best to do it yourself?
It is probably best to do it yourself (cheaper) or I can put something together for you as well 🙂 I stand nothing to gain, and could find you the best prices. Let me know your dates of travel Keldyn. Thanks for visiting!
Although summer is ending and fall is soon to set in, your BeachTravelDestination is just what the long distant traveler would be looking for. Everyone loves a spectacular family getaway! There’s so many beautiful places to go, a person would have a hard time making up their mind.
When an individual explore your travel site, they have the option of selecting some of the most beautiful beaches around the world. Anytime of the year, the weather will always be next to perfect!
With so many other sites along the same line as this, I feel BeachTravelDestination stands out among the rest with the most variety of cool beach selections from around the world.
Thank you Ronald, that is exactly what I am trying to do 🙂 Thanks for visiting Rockport Beach Texas!