Texas has several beaches both on the mainland and on barrier islands. Many boast long, pristine shorelines with fine, hard-packed, white sand and scenic views that go on for miles.
There are party beaches like Galveston, with hoards of people all year round, and secluded ones like Boca Chica for those seeking peace and quiet. Below are the 17 best beaches in Texas if you’re looking for the perfect getaway.
1. Boca Chica Beach
Boca Chica Beach is consistently ranked among the top beaches in the state. Entry is free, and the beach stays open all day and all night. If a late-night deep in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters sounds like a dream, Boca Chica is where you need to be.
That aside, Boca Chica Beach is as stunning as it is massive. Its expansive shoreline covers over 1,000 acres, extending from the delta at the Rio Grande to Laguna Madre in the south.
While the beach doesn’t offer many amenities, there are plenty of things to do there, such as swimming and surfing. The fact that it doesn’t get as busy as some other Texas beaches make it perfect for anyone looking for a quiet spot to relax, unwind, and soak up the sun.
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2. Bryan Beach
Stretching about three miles is Bryan Beach in Freeport, Texas. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the state and offers some of the most breathtaking views you’ll ever see. It is one hour from Houston, making it the perfect escape for a quick getaway.
Bryan Beach offers great swimming, surfing, fishing, and sunbathing. There are food vendors nearby if you need to grab a bite. Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay a small fee to access the beach. You can contact the recreation department before your scheduled visit to determine how much you’ll need to pay. The prices change occasionally.
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3. Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach is a hidden gem in the heart of the Texas coastline. Something about its white sandy shores and clear blue waters, against the backdrop of lush green foliage, makes it an instant antidote to stress.
The water here is warm, and the views are stunning. It hardly ever gets busy, even during the summer months. It is the perfect romantic escape for you and your partner if you’re looking for a relatively secluded beach to enjoy each other’s company. You can even go there alone if you’re looking for a nice, quiet place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
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4. East Beach Galveston Island
East Beach on Galveston Island is one of the most popular beaches in Texas. It offers some of the most incredible views of the Gulf Coast and has the most spectacular sunsets and sunrises in the whole state.
One of the great things about East Beach is all the amenities you’ll find. There are dozens of pavilions, restrooms, heated showers, and concession stands where you can rent beach essentials such as chairs and beach umbrellas. There’s a children’s playground nearby where your kids can run around.
If you enjoy your occasional glass of wine or beer, East Beach is one of the few beaches in Texas with no restrictions on the kind of beverages you can bring with you. If a boozy afternoon outdoors while enjoying the refreshing ocean breeze sounds like the perfect way to while away time on the beach, East Beach Galveston Island is the perfect destination for you and your posse.
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5. Isla Blanca Beach
Situated on South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Beach is one of the most family-friendly beaches in Texas. There are so many fun things to do with your kids while you’re there. The Beach Park, in particular, is a hit among the younglings. It has a cool water feature that children can’t get enough of.
Isla Blanca Beach does get pretty busy, especially during the summer months. The best thing to do would be to get there early to pick a nice strategic spot by the ocean before it gets crowded later in the day.
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6. Jamaica Beach
Jamaica Beach is another incredible beach in Galveston County, Texas. It is clean, pristine, and never gets crowded, making it the perfect getaway for anyone looking for a secluded escape by the water.
The beach does not have dedicated lifeguards on duty, so if you plan to go there with children, keep an eye on them anytime they venture into the water. Jamaica Beach hosts events from time to time, particularly in the summer months. They have an online schedule you can use to plan your trip.
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7. Magnolia Beach
The one-and-a-half-mile-long Magnolia Beach has some of the most breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. It is clean and has the most crystal clear blue waters ever. Depending on the time of year you visit, Magnolia Beach does tend to get crowded, especially in August.
It has many great amenities to make your day on the beach comfortable. There are several picnic tables, barbecue grills, heated showers, and restrooms. If you have an RV, plenty of parking spots are available.
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8. Malaquite Beach
If you can’t get enough of the great outdoors and are looking for a beach offering great camping, Malaquite Beach fits the bill. It is one of the best beaches in Texas for camping, which makes it the perfect getaway in the wilderness by the seashore.
The cost of admission is $10 per car, which is quite affordable considering everything you can do there. You can go swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, or snorkeling while you’re there. If you would rather not get into the water, you can sunbathe, build sandcastles with your kids, or hike if you feel up to it.
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9. Matagorda Bay Nature Park
One thing that sets Matagorda Bay Beach apart from all other beaches in Texas is that it is so much more than just a beach. It is a nature park that even has campgrounds you can camp in. Matagorda Bay Nature Park boasts more than a dozen campsites, all stationed at the waterfront right next to the water.
The 1,300-acre park has tons of things to do, especially if you’re traveling with young kids. You can picnic at the shore, swim, bird watch, fish, boat, kayak, and even hit some balls on the nearby 18-hole golf course.
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10. McGee Beach
Located in Corpus Christi is McGee Beach—a stunning paradise on the Texas coastline. It is extremely popular compared to neighboring beaches, owing to its beautiful white sand and crystal clear waters.
McGee Beach is open every single day of the week and is remarkably well-maintained. The water is tranquil, making it ideal for families with young kids.
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11. North Beach
Another of Corpus Christi’s beaches is North Beach. If you’re looking for a beach vacation destination in Texas, this is one of the more popular spots.
There’s so much to do at North Beach. You can swim, surf, jet ski, or lie on the beach and soak up the sun. There are plenty of food vendors on the beach, so you can indulge in a wide range of tasty seafood cuisine.
There’s a Ferris wheel you can go on to catch some epic views of North Beach and its surroundings.
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12. Port Aransas Beach
Port Aransas Beach is located on Mustang Island, which boasts five miles of a stunning white sandy shoreline. Since it is one of the more expansive beaches in Texas, it doesn’t get too crowded even during the busier months of the year.
One of the great things about Port Aransas Beach is that you can drive your car right up to the oceanfront and park on the beach. However, you must get there early to find a good spot.
There’s so much to do at Port Aransas. You can go swimming, surfing, fishing, or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the sun’s warm rays. You can even apply for a permit and camp on the beach for three nights.
Keep in mind that Port Aransas Beach is a popular destination for college kids during spring break. It might not be the best time to go there with young children.
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13. Rockport Beach
Rockport Beach is another fantastic Texas beach. It is the first and only Blue Wave Beach in the state. It offers handicap accessibility, and the beach is 100% litter-free. The beach is cleaned and responsibly managed with a focus on protecting human health and the environment.
Rockport Beach offers several amenities, including restroom facilities, hot showers, a children’s playground, picnic cabanas, and volleyball courts. There’s even a launching area for windsurfers and opportunities for birding.
You can access the beach at no cost if you bike or walk to get there. On the other hand, if you drive there, you’ll need to part with $10 at the gate.
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14. San Jose Island
San Jose Island is located on the Texas Gulf and is privately owned. Visitors can still access the designated public areas of the beach, and it is a great spot for fishing, shell hunting, and bird watching.
San Jose Island comprises more than 20 miles of sandy shoreline, so if you don’t mind the hike, you can find a pretty secluded spot to relax, unwind, and enjoy your day on the beach. It is worth noting that you will need to catch the ferry from Port Aransas to get to the island.
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15. Sea Rim State Park Beach
Until recently, five-mile-long Sea Rim State Park Beach had remained closed for several years due to devastating damage from hurricanes. Nonetheless, it remains one of the best beaches in the state.
Sea Rim Beach is located within a state park, making it the ideal destination for nature lovers. You can swim, fish, surf, boat, and even birdwatch. The park beach is slightly more rugged than most other beaches reviewed in this guide. However, this is what adds to its charm.
It has great amenities, including restrooms, showers, picnic sites, and campgrounds. The views of the ocean are spectacular.
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16. Stewart Beach
Stewart Beach is a family-friendly destination located in Galveston. The beach has several lifeguard towers, so you know your kids will be safe as they splash about in the warm ocean water.
Stewart Beach is chock-full of useful amenities to make your day out enjoyable. There are several picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, concession stands, swanky showers, and restrooms.
The best time to visit is on a weekday when the beach isn’t as busy.
Recommended nearby stay in Galveston: View listing
17. Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is the name of the town and the beach. It is extremely clean and well-maintained, and you can drive your car right to the sandy beach. It is also much less crowded than Galveston and is the perfect getaway for anyone looking for a quiet relaxing day on the beach.
The views of the ocean waves are majestic and ideal for swimming, fishing, and boating. Surfside Beach also offers wonderful opportunities for bird watching and hiking along the Bluewater Highway Trail right next to the water. Stay for the sunset. They are spectacular.
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In the meantime, check out our top picks for the best West Palm Beach beaches.