4 Texas beaches that are totally worth the trip
(and 3 you should skip altogether!)
Find out the most amazing Texas beaches within a reasonable driving distance from Dallas.
I was told several times I should not waste my time with Texas beaches. That I should head to Florida or hop on a plane instead. I’m glad I was stubborn enough to ignore those (so) untrue statements!
Life is short to wait for the next long vacation. And better on the beach. So, after doing some extensive research, I embarked on a personal mission to discover the best Texas beach within a reasonable driving distance from Dallas. One that could be reached in a long weekend, when I got beach sick and felt like burying my feet in the sand.
And I’m happy to announce that I succeeded!
On my quest for the perfect Texas beach, I spent a long weekend exploring the Port Aransas – Corpus Christi coast, around 6 hours away from Dallas. There I discovered not only one but 4 amazing summer spots. And a surprisingly gorgeous beach that took the game to a whole new level!
Here I share with you the bumps and humps of my adventure, so you can avoid tourist traps and enjoy the best beaches around. And my soulmate Texas beach, a hidden gem you must include in your bucket list now!
Keep reading and find out the best way to explore the area and have the time of your life. Fast your flip flops and enjoy!
For another trip ideas closer to Dallas, check our top weekend getaways. Tons of surprising destinations within 4 hours driving from DFW.
4 Must-Visit Texas Beaches Ranked
Those 4 Texas beaches are truly special, for different reasons, and worth the trip. They are all within a reasonable driving distance from each other and can be covered in a single visit to the Corpus Christi or Port Aransas areas.
I’ve ranked them (in descending order) according to my personal taste and experience but go check and decide by yourself which is your favorite!
Rockport Beach
Rockport is Texas only Blue Wave Beach. Meaning you can expect a super clean beach with all amenities – including handicap access – and swimmable waters.
Rockport was one of the most instagrammable of all beaches visited during the trip. The palapas, smooth sand and blue waters make the perfect background for snapshots, giving the impression you are in the Caribbean!
Rockport is a bay beach, so there are no waves. The water is shallow and warm during summer. There are play areas and a pavilion with picnic tables and showers. So, it is a perfect family destination and it was the favorite beach of all for the little ones that joined me in this adventure.
I liked it. And would be back. I think that it is worth visiting and for some people it can even become their favorite beach spot in Texas.
But Rockport beach was not my favorite beach among all visited because I prefer more untouched places and I missed that “beachy” vibe. It felt more like a man-made beach to me.
Padre Island National Seashore's North Beach
North Beach is at the northernmost section of the Padre Island National Seashore, right before Malaquite Beach. It is a 5-mile beach stretch opened to driving (no 4×4 required, watch weather and beach conditions and use caution though).
Expect dunes, white and soft sand and clear blue waters. The visual is amazing.
This is your beach if you want the visual of Malaquite Beach (see bellow) but prefers or needs to park on the beach. And if free camping sounds good to you.
The downside is that there are no amenities – you must drive to Malaquite’s Beach Visitor Center for restrooms and showers.
IMPORTANT: This is the North Beach inside the Padre Island National Seashore. Don’t mistake it by the North Beach in Corpus Christi! Use this GPS coordinates: 27.4774, -97.2742
Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State Park is beautiful. It has over 5 miles of shoreline, meaning that even in the most crowd days you can find your secluded spot under the sun (the pic above was taken during Labor weekend!). The sand is soft, the water is clear, and you are surrounded by dunes, with no signs of civilization other than a trash can here and there.
Mustang Island State Park’s beach is divided into two sections. One for the pedestrians, to the left, usually crowded and not very nice. And one for cars, to the right, crowded in the beginning – where the camping areas are – but very desert and pleasant if you keep driving for one or two miles. Go for the second option and you won’t regret. A 4-wheel drive is recommended, but we used a regular SUV and did just fine (weigh the risks before jumping in though).
Park access fee is USD 5.00 per person (children 12 and under are free). At the entrance of the park you will find amenities such as restrooms and showers. There is no concession inside, so bring drinks and snacks.
This was the second beach I visited in this trip and it wowed me. I wasn’t expecting to find such a nice beach in Texas because of what I’d heard about Texas beaches and due to my own personal experience (Galveston…).
It could have become my favorite Texas beach if I hadn’t found in the following days one that took the game to a whole new level.
I’ll definitively be back (actually I already did lol, we liked it so much that we stopped by next day to watch the sunset).
Malaquite Beach
Wow. Wow wow wow wow wow wow.
This beach made me wonder if someone had put something in my breakfast. Ridiculously white and soft sand. Dunes. Crystal clear turquoise blue ocean. Spotting a sea turtle in the water while swimming. Stumbling upon a huge band of birds with hundreds of Pelicans and Seagulls during a beach walk. Feeling basically alone at the beach right in the middle of Labor Weekend.
I didn’t expect to find such an amazing beach in Texas, not even in my wildest dreams.
Malaquite Beach is so far my favorite Texas beach. And for good my top one considering the beaches within a reasonable driving distance from Dallas – 6h 30 m, doable for a long weekend.
It is at the Padre Island National Seashore, the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, with 70 miles of seashore (don’t mistake it by South Padre Island, much further from Dallas). Entrance fee is USD 10.00 per car.
Malaquite Beach is the only stretch of the Padre Island National Seashore closed to driving and with amenities such as showers, restrooms and a visitors’ center. The other sections are a 60 mile stretch after Malaquite Beach that requires a 4-wheel drive and a 5 mile stretch before Malaquite Beach suitable for regular cars (see North Beach above in this post)
When you get to the beach, walk to the left from the Visitors Center to beat the crowds. I visited Malaquite Beach during Labor weekend and the stretch of beach right in front of the parking lot access was not nice and too crowded, but I walked less than 5 minutes to the left and it was paradise!
3 Texas Beaches to Skip
(but that worth a stop for other reasons)
Those beaches didn’t wow me. Actually, I even disliked them.
But they all offer something special beyond the beach itself, so I would recommend you including them in your itinerary if you have extra time or if the experiences mentioned bellow speak to you.
And staying in Port Aransas to explore the area, despite of the beach there not being the best.
Port Aransas Beach
The beach right at Port Aransas is not bad. But with so many nicer beaches within a driving distance – the four I mentioned above – I wouldn’t waste my time there. Port Aransas beach is not as clean as the other ones. The water not as clear and the sand not as white, so…
But still, I highly recommend you using Port Aransas as your base to explore the area.
Port Aransas is a charming seaside town with good restaurants, nightlife and entertainment options. It is within a short driving distance from the best beaches in the Gulf Coast: Malaquite Beach, Padre Island Seashore’s North Beach, Mustang Island State Park and Rockport.
Port Aransas has that laid-back beach vibe you are probably looking for when heading to the beach, with still tons of things to do. Much better than staying in Corpus Christi (a big city), in my opinion.
While in town, try one of the following restaurant options: Crazy Cajun, Venetian Hot Plate or La Playa. All recommended by a local foodie. Make reservations in advance, especially during summer and holidays. I tried the Crazy Cajun and loved it. It is a unique experience, with seafood served directly on the table to be eaten with your bare hands. Cool and tasty!
For a treat, make sure to stop by the Desserted Island Ice Cream, if only for the ambiance. I loved the vibe and decor. And their famous warm brownie sundae, of course!
Bob Hall Pier Beach
On the day of my visit the beach by Bob Hall Pier was way too crowded and it turned me off.
It is true that it was Labor Weekend. And that crowds should be expected. But with amazing and much more tranquil beaches such as Padre Island’s North Beach, Malaquite Beach and Mustang Island State Park only a few miles from there, I wouldn’t spend the day on this beach.
I would still recommend you stop by Bob Hall Pier though, on your way back from Malaquite Beach or North Beach. You can actually drive to Bob Hall Pier from North Beach on the sand.
The views from the pier are gorgeous. You can walk the pier to watch the sunset (USD 3.00 fee per person), fish or just take in the views. And even have a meal or a drink at the waterfront Mikel May’s restaurant.
North Beach in Corpus Christi
North Beach is a big city beach. So, you can imagine what to expect. The sand is not soft, the water not really clean and the surroundings very urban. Not my favorite type of beach.
But Corpus Christi’s North Beach hides a Texas gem and that is worth the trip.
North Beach is home to the USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier, used by the American Navy during the Second World War. It is a massive and impressive ship, currently a museum. You can visit it or admire it from Pier 99 restaurant outdoor patio, overlooking the USS Lexington.
I would recommend a stop for a late lunch at Pier 99 before heading back to Dallas. It is a laid-back beach style restaurant with a beautiful scenery. Not the best meal I’ve ever had, but food was tasteful, prices reasonable and I loved the vibe and the views.
Summing Up
There are amazing beaches within a driving distance from Dallas. Bam!
No, you don’t need to leave the state or drive 10 hours to South Padre Island to find a decent beach. Instead, drive about 6 hours to Port Aransas and explore 4 beautiful beaches in the Texas Gulf Coast: Malaquite Beach and North Beach at the Padre Island National Seashore, Mustang Island State Park and Rockport Beach.
It is not a short drive. I know. But it is one totally doable in a long weekend.
It took me 3 days to explore the 7 beaches mentioned here. Not all the beaches were worth the stop, so you can read this post and focus solely on the best ones. And take advantage of the tips above to enjoy your visits to the fullest. So, make your plans and spend the very next holiday unwinding on an amazing Texas beach!
If you happen to know of a superb Texas beach less than 6 hours away from Dallas not mentioned in this post, PLEASE let me know. I’ll be more than happy to check on that.
And after visiting the beaches I mention here, please let me know your impressions and findings! Did you like Malaquite Beach as much as I did? Did you prefer the pedestrian beaches or the ones you could reach driving? Have you found any hidden gems worth sharing?
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We just came back from a week visiting your beach recommendations and cannot believe how beautiful they all were, as you say, especially Malaquite. Thank you so much for your great recommendations. I am from Australia and spoiled with beautiful beaches, I never thought I could have so much fun at Texan beaches.
I’m so happy to hear you’re using the Dallas Wanderer content to explore Texas and make the most of your experience here! That’s what it’s all about ❤️
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You’re welcome! I hope it’s helpful