Welcome to Best Hotels in Port Aransas guide! Port Aransas is a fun and funky island getaway for beach, sun and family fun! It is located between the dunes of Mustang Island and the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. Its tranquil beaches, gentle breezes and abundant wildlife are the perfect backdrop for your next vacation photos. Spend sun drenched days beach combing for shells, strolling along the shoreline or splashing in the warm gulf waters. Adventure seekers will find activities that meet their speed like kite surfing, jet skiing, parasailing, surfing, kayaking and more.
Fishing is BIG in this small town. The surrounding Gulf waters brim with fresh catches, and fishing tournaments fill our event calendar almost every weekend during the summer months. For the fishing trip of your life, take a deep-sea excursion, fish the bays and channels or cast a line in the surf or from our public piers. There’s plenty for nature lovers to love in ‘Port A.’ More than 300 species of birds visit us annually, making us a popular destination for avid birders. With six birding sites on the Great Texas Birding Trail, there are plenty of opportunities to add to your ‘life list’ or just enjoy the myriad of wildlife. Board the passenger ferry or jetty boat from their marina and discover San José Island, an undisturbed, natural haven for seashell seekers and nature enthusiasts. Visit our great Texas beaches here or on Pinterest.
Weather (Best Time to Go)
Of course peak-summer will be the most expensive time to come but summer regularly provides great beach weather and an excellent tan during this time. The seasons just before and right after “peak season” are dates that are just a little earlier or a little later in the summer. This advantage not only gives you more desirable rates but usually more private and exclusive time in the sand and around the town of Port Aransas and usually with exceptional weather. Spring, fall and even winter, which is known for its exceptional sunsets, are beautiful times of the year to visit Port Aransas and Mustang Island as each one has their own claim to the Port Aransas beauty.
Best Port Aransas Area Beaches
Port Aransas Beach
Port Aransas Beach is located right in front of the area resorts. Warm clear water, open sand, and fresh air are right out your front door. There is some free parking between pier 52 and 58. Otherwise you will need to purchase a $12 yearly permit.
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IB Magee Beach Park
IB Magee Beach ParkIB Magee Beach is easy to access and has many amenities. With 75 campsites, primitive camping allowed on the beach, and freshwater showers, IB Magee Beach Park is a great place to stay for a while. A great beach for families.
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Horace Caldwell Pier
Horace Caldwell PierKnown for fun surfing and fishing, Horace Caldwell Pier stretches 1,200 feet into the Gulf. On sunny days, the Horace Caldwell Pier is full of energy. Located close to the Port Aransas town center, this is one of the most popular places to fish and enjoy the sunset.
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Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State ParkJust south of Port Aransas, lies Mustang Island State Park a five miles preserved shoreline. The pristine sandy beaches of Mustang Island State Park make you feel as though you’ve traveled far away. Easily accessed from Port Aransas, this is a popular destination for Birding, Surfing, and Fishing.
Padre Balli Park
Padre Balli ParkLocated on Padre Island, Padre Balli Park is a great beach for camping, swimming, and fishing. Get away from town and relax in the sun at the Padre Balli Park. This spot provides the right mix of nature and amenities.
Best Port Aransas Restaurants
Irie’s Island Food Under $10
Tacos on handmade flour tortillas, delicious sandwiches on house made buns, Asian and Hawaiian delights, desserts made from scratch. Telephone: 361-749-2310 Web: Irie’s Island Food.
Roosevelt’s $31 – 60
It takes more than exquisite cooking to make a memorable meal. At Roosevelt’s, they believe an intimate atmosphere in the right location, personal and attentive service and great company are what separates a delicious dinner from an unforgettable experience. Telephone: 361-749-1540 Web: Roosevelt’s.
Black Marlin Bar & Grill $11 – 30
If you’re looking for an upscale, yet casual, coastal venue for your next event, let their events team help you create an experience that exceeds your expectations. Whether it is for charity fundraising, corporate events, customer appreciation, networking, or a personal celebration, the Black Marlin Bar & Grill is the perfect venue to treat your guests to on the Texas Coast. Telephone: 361-749-4653 Web: Black Marlin Bar & Grill.
Redfish Willie’s Waterfront Grill $11 – 30
Chef Jeremy Lee has created an array of seafood, pastas, sandwiches, chicken and some downright great Cajun dishes that are enjoyed every day on this waterfront restaurant. Their pet friendly patio offers up some spectacular views of the marina. Stop in and enjoy a Double Willie (their tall drinks), listen to some live music, and see if you can catch some dolphins swimming in the harbor. Telephone: 361-758-9991 Web: Redfish Willie’s Waterfront Grill.
Mustang Island Food Company Under $10
Mustang Island Food Company was designed to serve Gourmet food in a convenient way. They provide Dine In Service, Carry Out or Delivery as well as catering to everyone who visits, lives or works in and around Port Aransas. Telephone: 361-749-6432 Web: Mustang Island Food Company.
Best Port Aransas Beach Bars
The Gaff
They are a family friendly bar and grill famous for pizza, cold beer, live music, chicken bingo and belt sander races. Stop by and try their “World Famous” Gaffer pizza, belt sander races and chicken bingo with “The Amazing Pearl.” If you are looking for great food and good company, stop in at the Gaff. Join them on the patio every weekend for live music from some of the best local musicians. Bring your dogs, family and friends and experience their quirky, pirate themed bar and grill in Port Aransas. Telephone: 361-749-5970 Web: The Gaff.
Giggity’s
Don’t be turned off by the dive bar appearance, and they do allow smoking inside so not a family friendly atmosphere. BUT the drinks are poured very generously, the live music is fantastic, and food is actually delicious. Parking can be a bit of trouble, so if you are going for the live music, get there a little early. Telephone: 361-749-3663 Web: Giggity’s.
Stingrays Taphouse
Why are there 2 perfectly running Corvettes (1970 & 1977) hoisted over the bar? Simply put, the owners were told to sell their Corvettes to make room for the bar by their lovely wives. As you can guess, the guys’ solution was to keep their cars and display them; hence the name Stingrays. They opened our doors on October 3, 2013. Stingrays Tap House and Grill is an industrial-chic elite sports bar that provides the ‘raving fans’ a unique dining and entertaining experience. It is owned and operated by Texans: Shawn and Sandy & Chad and Kimber. Telephone: 261-749-2287 Web: Stingrays Taphouse.
Moby Dicks
Whenever the paths of free thinking, passionate and creative individuals cross, it paves the way for phenomenal events to occur! Such is the case of Moby Dick’s. Be sure to visit their “Leaky Tiki Village” with its wonderful waterfall, and animated Pirates. Enjoy “All Day” Happy Hour Priced Adult Beverages, Music, Live Entertainment, Karaoke, and Fantastic Service! Telephone: 361-749-9447 Web: Moby Dicks.
Roosevelt’s
It takes more than exquisite cooking to make a memorable meal. At Roosevelt’s, they believe an intimate atmosphere in the right location, personal and attentive service and great company are what separates a delicious dinner from an unforgettable experience. Telephone: 361-749-1540 Web: Roosevelt’s.
Best Port Aransas Hotels
Well you successfully made me want to go and hit the beach and find some seafood!
I have spent some time in Corpus Christi and briefly visited Port Aransas a few years ago and enjoyed the location. Lately I have gotten into traveling with a travel trailer to reduce cost on hotel rooms or having to rent a house when I am out of town.
Do you have any recommendations for RV parks in the Mustang Island area, and what I can expect to pay for the RV sites there.
Thanks for your time and great article!
Hi CJ, you can stay right in Mustang Island State park. The camping fees are $10 for primitive camp sites and $20 for campsites with water and electric. You can visit their website at Mustang Island State Park. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi Leahrae,
Wow, another beautiful post. I feel like packing up right now and visiting Port Aransas. So much to see and do and the wonderful beaches.
Thank you so much for feeding the soul with all this beauty.
Glad you enjoyed Jill 🙂 Thanks for visiting the wonderful coastal community of Port Aransas. Please come back again !
Wow!
Mattie this website looks amazing. How long have you been doing this?
I am totally impressed!
The website is well designed, with the categories, recent post, and recent comments section everything is neat and the color is balanced perfectly.
I love the niche.
I see your archive section dating back to March 2016 is that how long you’ve been doing this?
I may need you to have a look at my site and tell me if I or where I may need improvement.
But oh yes your site is beautiful!
Wow, thank you Cedric. I must be doing something right! I am glad you enjoyed visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com. Let me know if you have any questions.
I was born and raised on the gulf coast in the state of Florida. There were many wonderful beaches to visit. However, Port Port Aransas look alike it is an incredible place to take a relaxing vacation. How’s the fishing?
I live on the gulf coast in Florida as well 🙂 Just moved here a year ago from Texas. The fishing is great Sean. You would have a blast! Thanks for visiting Port Aransas Travel.
The top of the page is very eye catching, which makes a visitor want to know more and scroll down the page. There is a lot of information about the destination and how to get there, this makes it a lot easier for a person of interest to get all the information they need. Very well put together.
Thank you Liliana! Yes, everything you need and want to take with you on a great Texas Beach vacation. Port Aransas is really unique and beautiful.
Being from hawaii where our beaches are just gorgeous here, i do take it for granted sometimes because i see it everyday. But when i went to santa monica pier and seen their beaches, which the beach in the pic reminds me of, i appreciated what we have here even more!
That is a good thing and yes you do take the beaches for granted….I do the same thing, and I love the beach. Thanks for visiting!
Oh man, this makes me want to go the the beach right now! It’s been a little while since my last vacation and I’ve never been to Port Aransas before.
Of course I love eating food (maybe a little too much) and Giggity’s looks really good. Actually, I’d probably check all of them out. San Jose Island looks like a pretty fun place to visit as well.
Well Nick, you would love the entire area. The Texas Gulf coast has so much to offer and so many great beaches!
Hi,
Port Aransas looks stunning, what a long strolling beach there is. I live in the UK and never had a holiday in America before. We usually travel to places like Mallorca of Lanzarote for our holidays.
We keep saying let’s cross over the large pond and see destinations in America for a change and Port Aransas in Texas sounds like a great place for a holiday.
Thanks for adding all the things to do and see. I will investigate thanks to your post.
Thanks again,
Simon.
You are very welcome Simon. You will love Port Aransas and the entire area. Texas is beautiful and the Texas gulf coast beaches are something to enjoy for sure! Thank you for visiting Beach Travel Destinations!
Thanks for posting. I had never heard of Port Aransas. I am always looking for places that may be off of the beaten path. Also, thanks for being specific with the yearly weather calendar as I originally thought December might be a good time to check it out but clearly the spring and summer would be best. Has anyone else been to Port Aransas? Any other insider tips? Always down for a good restaurant tip also! Thx.
I have been there, and the places I listed are the best places there 🙂 Port Aransas is going to be a lot more quiet and peaceful than some of the other destinations in Texas, other than Rockport which is similar to Port Aransas.
First of all, looking at your website I can see where I want to get mine too. I live in the Texas Panhandle to your destinations are right up my alley. I like how you gave short synopsis of all that Port Aransas has to offer from weather to things to do to restaurants and bars. I did not see any activities for vacationing with children. I like the way you incorporated links for all the things to do. Your site is very professional and I would refer to it for travel advice.
Thank you so much for visiting to a fellow Texan 🙂 I really like the Port Aransas and Rockport area. Both areas have lots to do for families with small children. I feel they are better than going to Galveston by far.
I really enjoyed your article, The images were breathing. You have provided some great information on Port Aransas and You covered a lot details or how much fun is for families to experience a great place for vacation.
The article answer any question that visitor needs such as Weather, Airport, Car rental and thing to do while they are vacationing in Port Aransas. Thank for a great article.
You are welcome Anthony. I hope that you are ready for your vacation to Port Aransas! It really is a beautiful place to visit.
You certainly did your research on this little gem of a holiday resort, I always think of Florida and Santa Barbara as holiday seaside resorts. There seems a lot to do for a holiday maker. Is it family friendly or is it just for the retired? I would love to come over and explore this side of the world someday.
Great post
You know, you are going to find all sorts in Port Aransas, a good variety of people of all ages visit Port Aransas. Thanks for visiting and I hope you come visit soon!
Great information on Port Aransas travel. This seems like a really nice and sunny place for vacation to help me relax. Traveling to the beaches are also great ways to bond with families. Nice guide on the things to do, places to eat, and hotels in Port Aransas. I really hope to travel to those beaches in the future and enjoy the culture as well as learn about the wildlife.
thank you Felicity! I know that you and your family would really enjoy the Port Aransas beaches and area. Thanks for visiting!
Hi Mattysmom,
Great website easy to read, good use of links and not too long, pretty much capture everything for a holiday destination. Perhaps you can mention a bit about the costs of staying there, being an island I assume it is a bit more expensive. Do you have any links to appartments, etc, anything on AirBNB?
Cheers,
Billy
Hi Billy, I could not find any links for apartments or vacation rentals here, nor could I find B&Bs. But it is not that expensive to go to Port Aransas. I plan on adding costs and packages next 🙂 Thank you for visiting.
Hey Leahrae,
You have covered pretty much everything I needed to know about the place. It sure seems a nice place and I’ve been considering the idea of visiting that place.
And from what I’ve seen, the travel is certain. A few questions though before I make up my mind. Can I make reservations for myself in Port Arkansas Vacation Rentals and get a room in two days?
I want to do it a while from now, and I need this so that I can get my budget planned out.
I’ll be waiting for your response,
Thanks
Yes, I have used Flip Key for making reservations as well. No matter when you make the reservations, they pretty much have the same rates listed. It’s not like going to some places where the rates go way up and down. You will love the Port Aransas area beaches!
This is a very engaging article and makes me want to go there. I have two small children (6 and 3) so are there things for them to do as well? We live in Florida and enjoy our ownd beaches but would like to branch out… Thank you for sharing the wonderful location and lifestyle.
Oh, I bet you do enjoy your beaches 🙂 I actually love Florida beaches. Out of all the beaches in Texas, this area is the best (this and Rockport). Your little ones would have a blast as there are so many shells, and the sand is great for sand castles. Of course there are water sports activities as well.