We put together a list of the 15 best beaches in Texas for families worth visiting.
If you’re planning a vacation to Texas don’t miss out on checking these beaches.
You’ll find plenty of activities and amenities for the whole family to enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for a beach with plenty of activities or one that’s more laid-back, Texas has something for you.
- Stewart Beach
- Rockport Beach
- Galveston East Island Beach
- McGee Beach
- Porretto Beach
- Seawolf Park in Galveston’s Pelican Island
- Whitecap Beach
- South Padre Island
- Padre Island National Seashore
- Sylvan Beach Park
- Malaquite Beach
- Port Aransas Beach
- Magnolia Beach
- Surfside Beach
- North Beach
Top 15 Best Beaches in Texas for Families
These are our top 15 best beaches in Texas for families worth visiting.
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1. Stewart Beach
If you’re making a beeline for Galveston, make sure to add Stewart Beach to your timetable.
One reason this seaside has a decisive advantage over others nearby: You can carry your four-footed sidekick alongside you.
During the whole season, supported occasions like volleyball competitions up the fervor factor.
Seat and umbrella rentals mean you don’t need to carry your own to your beloved spot, while on-location showers mean you will not be sitting in your sand heap while you head home in your vehicle.
Lifeguards are likewise on observation every day to assist with keeping your family protected in the water.
Home to fun occasions like sandcastle building classes and contests, Stewart Beach includes a jungle gym, sand volleyball courts, and a covered structure.
Summer confirmation is $12 per vehicle for passage Monday-Friday and $15 on the ends of the week and on occasions and during unique events.
NEARBY HOTELS
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Galveston Beach
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Galveston
- Best Western Plus Seawall Inn and Suites by the Beach
- La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Galveston East Beach
2. Rockport Beach
Rockport Beach is Texas’ first Blue Wave Beach, ensured by the Clean Beaches Coalition.
The sublime long sickle of fine sand and quiet shallows has 65 attractive cookout regions with barbecues.
In addition, there are outdoor tables, volleyball courts, a few children’s jungle gyms with swings, and a lovely ¾-mile-long strolling way along the Little Bay shores.
The ocean side is an assigned bird safe-haven, so attempt to detect some bright birds while strolling.
Fishing is allowed wherever besides at the saltwater pool and the boat moor.
The best fishing is at the 800-foot-long wharf toward the finish of the ocean side.
The ocean side is famous for water skiers and stream skiers in the mid-year.
No vehicles are permitted around the ocean.
In case you are searching for the cleanest ocean side in Texas, this is a great spot.
Likewise, the guidelines are no canines, no flames, and no short-term setting up camp.
The waters of Rockport Beach are tried twice day by day for microscopic organisms, making it one of the most secure stretches of waterfront water in Texas.
Notwithstanding clean waters and sans litter sand, Rockport Beach likewise has:
- 65 individual cookout locales outfitted with BBQ pits
- Cabanas and umbrellas
- Clean bathrooms and showers
- A saltwater pool
- A fish cleaning station
- A boat slope
- Several jungle gyms and swingset destinations
- Volleyball nets
- A bird seeing the stage
- An 800-foot fishing dock at the North finish of the ocean side
- Multiple strolling and trekking trails
- A passerby amicable midtown with shops and cafés
- A flourishing nearby expressions scene
Rockport Beach additionally has a few celebrations and shows consistently.
Fourth of July celebration, the Rockport-Fulton Annual Seafair, and numerous fishing competitions to name a few.
With such a huge amount to do, Rockport Beach is a definitive family ocean side objective.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rockport – Bay View, an IHG Hotel
- Blue Wave Inn
- Days Inn by Wyndham Rockport Texas
3. Galveston Island East Beach
Island East Beach is Galveston’s generally colossal, prettiest, and most well-known ocean side.
The best gatherings are held and shows, celebrations, and occasions of assorted types going overall summer.
There is a well-known sandcastle building rivalry consistently, and like not many seashores on Galveston Island, alcohol is permitted as long as it isn’t in a glass holder.
Island East Beach is ideal for long strolls, incredible fishing, and bird watching when it is generally abandoned during the tranquil season.
Grounded today, the ocean side is an accidental result of Galveston’s harbor and port structure in the nineteenth century.
The endeavors to develop the harbor brought about a change in the current and the collection of sand in a progression of piers that were subsequently topped off to frame an ocean side.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Scottish Inns
- Best Western Plus Seawall Inn and Suites by the Beach
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Galveston
4. McGee Beach
At McGee Beach, you’ll observe manicured sand normally liberated from kelp and flotsam and jetsam with quiet waters that are ideal for youngsters to swim in.
Free road stopping close to McGee Beach and no extra charge implies you can play the entire day free of charge and spend your cash on the yummy neighborhood food simply venturing from the ocean side.
There are public bathrooms on location, and the ocean side is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, the entire year!
Jungle gyms are found right across the road from the ocean side if your children need a break from the sand and water.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Emerald Beach Hotel Corpus Christi, TX
- Residence Inn by Marriott Corpus Christi Downtown
- Best Western Corpus Christi
- Omni Corpus Christi Hotel
5. Porretto Beach
Porretto Beach is the only beach found in Texas that is privately owned.
The Porretto family opened the beach to the public in 1978, and it has been a favorite spot for swimming and sunbathing ever since.
The best part about Porretto Beach?
It is free to visit! However, expect to pay for parking, $7 per vehicle.
Porretto Beach is also a great place to fish.
The waters are teeming with redfish, catfish, and bass.
Porretto Beach is open to the public from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend, except for intermittent special events.
Porretto Beach is often open on weather-permitting weekends in April and May.
Umbrella and chair rentals are available from 8 am to 5 pm, while our parking lot is open from 8 am to 8 pm.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Hotel Galvez and Spa
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Galveston
- Best Western Plus Seawall Inn and Suites by the Beach
6. Seawolf Park in Galveston’s Pelican Island
The Seawolf Park makes our list of best beaches in Texas for families worth visiting for its history.
Seawolf Park is dedicated to USS Seawolf (SS-197), a United States Navy Sargo-class submarine erroneously sunk by U.S. Naval force powers in 1944.
It is situated on Pelican Island, only north of Galveston, Texas, in the United States.
Seawolf Park is novel in that it has a submarine, the remaining parts of a shipper transport, and a destroyer escort.
It is the home of two safeguarded U.S. Naval force sends, the USS Cavalla and the Edsall-class destroyer escort USS Stewart (DE-238).
The remaining parts of the World War I big hauler SS Selma, the biggest substantial boat built, can be seen northwest of the recreation center’s fishing dock.
The recreation center has an outing region, and fishing is permitted on the pier for a bit of charge.
The park is best known for its nature trail and fishing pier.
The nature trail winds through a mangrove forest and offers stunning views of Galveston Bay.
Fishermen will love the 850 -foot fishing pier that is best known for its bountiful catches of redfish and speckled trout.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Best Western Plus Seawall Inn and Suites by the Beach
- Country Inn and Suites by Radisson, Galveston Beach, TX
- Scottish Inns Galveston
- Best Western Plus Seawall Inn and Suites by the Beach
7. WhiteCap Beach
Whitecap Beach is a free little seaside on the coast.
This is one of the best beaches in Texas for families worth visiting for its beauty.
At simply 1.5 miles long, it’s an extraordinary spot to move away for only a bit of touch!
A most loved spot for surfers, there are normally acceptable waves.
The ocean side at Whitecap on a late-spring day!
The ocean side is open all day, every day, and every year!
Short-term setting up camp is permitted on the oceanfront, as are ocean side flames (in an opening in the sand, if it’s not too much trouble, make sure to fill when completed, and barbecues, except if expressed in any case.
Stopping is permitted near the ocean with an ocean-side license.
You can buy either a day pass or a yearly pass.
They are accessible around the sea as well as from regional stores.
If you would rather not drive your vehicle on the sand, Windward has a free parking area with bathrooms and showers.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites Corpus Christi-N Padre Island, an Ihg Hotel
- Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham Corpus Christi Padre Is
- La Quinta by Wyndham Corpus Christi-N Padre Isl
- OYO Hotel Padre Island Corpus Christi
8. South Padre Island
It’s a problem area — and not on account of the wealth of the sun.
This is one of the best beaches in Texas for families worth visiting for its nature.
A favorite among sightseers searching for natural life and those hoping to notice untamed life.
Some come here to investigate the rowdy bar scene, while others can’t take their eyes off the satiny dolphins speaking the surf and grand ocean turtles leaving in the sand.
Aside from Spring Break, the island offers exercises for the whole family all year.
Fishers, nature darlings, water sports addicts, and everybody in the middle can track down something to suit their requirements at South Padre Island.
The island’s Gulf of Mexico vistas, reasonable facilities, and wide, sandy shores draw explorers a pretty long time after year.
The absolute most desired sands can be found in Isla Blanca Park, which sits on the southern edge of the island and highlights structures with food choices, sailing offices, fishing spots, and then some.
Other fun attractions accessible on South Padre Island incorporate Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Sea Turtle, Inc., a restoration community for ocean turtles.
There are various ocean-side passageways in South Padre Island, highlighting delicate fine sand that is the whitest you’ll find in Texas.
However, Isla Blanca Park highlights oceanside access, thus substantially more.
A public boat incline, ocean-side passageways for swimming, showers, bathrooms, and two oceanfront structures with food choices on location.
You can rent umbrellas and seats here.
The island is a famous get-away objective in Texas since it has something for each kind of explorer and beachgoer.
For the thrillseekers:
Take part in on-the-water adrenaline exercises, similar to Jet Skiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and swimming.
On the shore, take a stab at cycling, parasailing, or windsurfing.
You can even track down fun on stormy days at Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
For the explorer see dolphins or partake in bird watching:
If you have without exception needed to see a dolphin or catch uncommon cases right at home, South Padre Island is overflowing with touring openings.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Comfort Suites South Padre Island
- Ramada by Wyndham & Suites South Padre Island
- Wanna Wanna Inn
- Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront
- Best Western Beachside Inn and Suites
- La Quinta Inn and Suites South Padre Island
- Peninsula Island Resort and Spa
9. Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore makes our list of best beaches in Texas for families due to its breathtaking majestic water views and wildlife.
This delightful spot of land isolates the Laguna Madre, one of the saltiest world’s tidal ponds, from the Gulf of Mexico.
This 70-mile of glorious shore, gigantic hills, grasslands, and salt marshes.
It is a secured settling ground for the Kemp’s Ridley ocean turtle and an asylum for over 380 bird species.
Take the cleared grand Grasslands Nature Trail to see the untainted nature, and how it looked many years prior.
Take your rough terrain vehicle along the ocean side, or visit the island with one of the recreation center officers and find out regards to its set of experiences and climate.
There’s a great deal to take in here: 130,000 sections of land, to be careful.
This is an awesome ensured National Park, a position of bountiful seashores, hills, and meadows that, together, structure the world’s most substantial lacking hindrance.
Here you can create and seek after interests of practically every sort:
- Beachcombing.
- Traversing beautiful Grasslands Nature Trails.
- Off-roading near the ocean.
- Watching child ocean turtles walk around the sea.
- Enjoying a birding visit.
- Listening in on a recreation center officer talk.
Regardless of whether you experience Padre Island National Seashore first thing in the morning, at nightfall, or sometime in the middle, it has neither rhyme nor reason with magnificence.
NEARBY HOTELS
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Corpus Christi-N Padre Island
- Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham Corpus Christi Padre Island
- Best Western Padre Island
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Corpus Christi-N Padre Island, an IHG Hotel
10. Sylvan Beach Park
Sylvan Beach Park makes our list of best beaches in Texas for families because of its miles of pristine, white sand.
This beach is very popular with families because there are plenty of amenities available on-site including picnic areas and a playground.
The best part about Sylvan Beach Park?
No matter where you choose to sit down along the shoreline, you will have a gorgeous view of Corpus Christi Bay.
Try not to pass up their Annual Sylvan Beach Festival Crawfish Jam, generally planned for the last weekend of April.
The Annual Sylvan Beach Festival Crawfish Jam features live music, arts and crafts booths, a children’s area, and of course, crawfish!
NEARBY HOTELS
- Home2 Suites by Hilton La Porte
- Hampton Inn and Suites La Porte, TX
- WoodSpring Suites Houston La Porte
- Candlewood Suites La Porte, an IHG Hotel
11. Malaquite Beach
Malaquite Beach is situated on Padre Island, directly close to the guest community for Padre Island National Seashore.
It’s around a 40-minute drive from Corpus Christi with no traffic and is great!
It’s one of the most mind-blowing ‘wild’ seashores nearby with delicate sand and clear water.
Additionally, the middle completes instructive illustrations and the turtle discharge program, a momentous occasion for nature darlings and inquisitive guests (actually take a look at their web-based timetable ahead of time).
Malaquite Beach makes one of top best beaches in Texas for families due to its calm waters.
It offers an outstanding spot for setting up camp along the ocean.
There aren’t an excessive number of guests, and a considerable lot of them are families with young children.
The ocean side is canine agreeable, so you’re free to accept your pet too and live it up altogether in an unwinding and beautiful standard setting.
Setting up camp on the shore is likewise conceivable – with picnics in the natural air and resting to the sound of waves.
A superb spot for families!
Access and Parking
The ocean side is not difficult to reach; by the by, it might take you one hour to drive here from Corpus Christi, contingent upon the traffic force.
The extra charge is $10 per vehicle; they additionally acknowledge National Park passes.
The guest community offers a decent and extensive parking area situated inside a short stroll from the coastline.
You might drive straightforwardly to the ocean side to track down a proper detached spot close to the water if you have an RV.
Forgoing on the sand, a 4WD vehicle is suggested.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Home2 Suites by Hilton La Porte
- Hampton Inn and Suites La Porte, TX
- WoodSpring Suites Houston La Porte
- Candlewood Suites La Porte, an IHG Hotel
12. Port Aransas Beach
Port Aransas is best known for its miles of beautiful beaches and a laid-back island atmosphere.
This makes our list of best beaches in Texas for families for its many different amenities.
Lifeguards are stationed at surf rescue towers at Marker E, F, 0, 6, and 9.
Surf rescue maintains watch daily during spring break and between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Port Aransas has public restrooms, showers, and even food vendors.
As a family, you can go whale watching, or take your kids to Park under the Red Dragon Pirate Cruise.
The cruise offers a two-hour narrated tour of the Port Aransas Harbor, the JFK Causeway Bridge, and Mustang Island.
Another activity you will notice and find is many people parasailing.
Parasail as a family around Port Aransas Harbor to get a bird’s eye view of this beautiful island.
The Texas State Aquarium:
The Texas State Aquarium features the ocean life found in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
Your family will adore seeing the distinctive fish species, including sharks, jellyfish, dolphins, stingrays, and crabs. You can likewise see land creatures like otters, owls, and falcons.
The aquarium has unique displays, learning programs, exhibitions, shows, and creature experience choices.
I. B. Magee Beach Park:
This is a campground found in Port Aransas, Texas.
This campground contains 75 campsites as well as a playground, restroom, and shower facilities.
Check the latest prices on the Homepage of I.B. Magee Beach Park for reservations.
You will find BBQ pits, a playground, restrooms, showers, and picnic tables.
Have a picnic here with the family as you watch the sunset together.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Days Inn Port Aransas Beach
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Aransas/Beach Area, an IHG Hotel
- Best Western Port Aransas
- The Place Hotel
13. Magnolia Beach
Magnolia Beach is a humble community on the shore of Lavaca Bay, southeast of Alamo Beach.
This beach makes our list of best beaches in Texas for families due to its lack of crowds and its serene setting.
The town’s ocean side is an 8-mile-significant length of fine sand, a lot more modest than numerous Texan seashores, however tranquil and ideal for a family day under the sun.
A few covered outing covers with seats and barbecues, a children’s jungle gym, and a volleyball court.
A few pieces of the ocean side are open via vehicle, generally loaded up with enthusiastic fishers participating in a surf fishing spot.
There are betting boats a short drive from Magnolia Beach for the individuals who need to zest things up.
The entire region is incredible for shelling, bird watching, and crabbing.
There is a tiny fishing dock and a public boat dispatch, and the close by marina sells traps, offers remote ocean fishing sanctions, and serves an incredible lunch.
At Magnolia Beach, fun in the sun converts into family time, which means dialing back and getting to know each other.
You will not track down any inexpensive food outlets here.
Also, vacationers, indeed, there aren’t too many — they’re most likely all hanging out at the touristy spots where individuals feel the need consistently to be moving, accomplishing something, and looking for the following extraordinary thing.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Best Western Port Lavaca
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Port Lavaca
- Hilton Garden Inn Victoria
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Lavaca
14. Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is a little ocean-side town around 60 miles from Houston, between the Intracoastal Waterway and Mexico.
The town has multiple miles of seashores well known for horseback riding and strolling.
There are not many administrations near the ocean, and there are signs about the water quality, so check before swimming.
The passerby ocean side between Welk St. also, Thunder St. has free leaving at the two edges, yet the remainder of the ocean side grants vehicles.
There are a couple of outdoor tables and barbecues at Stahlman Park and the pier.
This region is ideal for the entire family as it offers first-class water exercises, waterfront restaurants, and one-of-a-kind housing.
The ocean side usually is not exceptionally swarmed and not a spot with vivacious groups, making it a fun and safe spot to visit in Texas for the children.
Why it’s famous:
It’s spotless, clean, and clean.
What else makes for a perfect oceanside day here:
You can drive around the ocean (no strolling and dragging those clumsy ocean side seats and awkward coolers)
You can make massive fires (seashores and huge fires are an ideal match), and there’s free stopping (no over-the-top expenses to slow down your good times).
NEARBY HOTELS
- Holiday Inn Oceanfront at Surfside Beach, an IHG Hotel
- Grand Beach Hotel Surfside
- Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel
15. North Beach
North Beach makes our best beaches in Texas for families because of its spotless and practically secluded stop on the Texas Gulf Coast.
The ocean side is best for swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, fishing, and bird watching.
The downfall is that there are no concessions or facilities close to the ocean side.
There are showers and bathrooms located at 201 Surfside Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78402.
Which is an 8-minute walk from North Beach.
It is additionally near some of Corpus Christi’s top family-accommodating attractions, including:
The USS Lexington:
The USS Lexington was dispatched in 1943 to serve the United States as a plane carrying a warship.
It set a more significant number of standards during its activity time and served longer than some other plane-carrying warship in maritime history.
Since it was decommissioned in 1991, it has been a vacationer location for history buffs, marine, and airplane lovers, and families looking for an instructive encounter.
The USS Lexington offers voyages through its shows, a 3D theater, and break room difficulties.
The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History:
The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History highlights displays about the local South Texas Karankawa clan.
In addition, learn about the Kennedy exhibition, different noteworthy wrecks, and the wildlife found here.
Fishing piers and boat dispatches:
North Beach has two fishing breakwaters for you to project from, just as a couple of boat dispatches, assuming you need to invest some energy in the water.
NEARBY HOTELS
- Radisson Hotel Corpus Christi Beach
- Omni Corpus Christi Hotel
- Best Western Corpus Christi
- Hampton Inn & Suites Corpus Christi
F.A.Q.s
What is the prettiest beach in Texas?
If we’re discussing best, then South Padre Island falls on our list for the prettiest beach in Texas.
The reason being is for its breathtaking sunsets, white sand beaches, and crystal clear waters.
South Padre Island is also home to some of the best shops in Texas.
Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA is the main street that offers unique shops, boutiques, and eateries.
You will find unique souvenirs such as crafted seashells.
If you’re feeling hungry then you’re in for a treat.
You can’t go wrong with some of the well-known famous eateries here.
For instance, Cap’n Roy’s Seafood has a reputation for having some of the best shrimp tacos in town.
What is the most kid-friendly beach in Texas?
There are so many kid-friendly beaches in Texas!
If you’re searching for one of the best, but not too crowded places to take your kids on vacation then consider Port Aransas.
Port Aransas is known as the best family beach resort in America.
It was also voted the best island by Coastal Living MagPort Aransas is known as the best family beach resort in America.
It was also voted the best island by Coastal Living Magazine which makes our list of best beaches in Texas for families.
Does Texas have white sand beaches?
Yes!
Some of the best white sand beaches in Texas are Galveston, Mustang Island, and South Padre Island.
Galveston beach offers some of the best white sand beaches in Texas.
Mustang Island is another one you will not want to miss out on!
It’s known for its soft and powdery white sands which make it perfect for families with small children.
South Padre Island also has some of the best white sand beaches in Texas but as we said, South Padre Island is best known for its world-famous sunsets.
If you’re looking for a place to have some fun in the sun, then definitely check out these three beaches!
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you in deciding which beaches to see while in Texas.
These were the 15 best beaches in Texas for families worth visiting.
Each offers its own unique qualities and experiences that are perfect for families.
If you’re not visiting Texas for vacation and heading to Florida or California instead we got you covered as well!
We put together a list of the 21 Best Beaches in California for Families as well as the Best Beach Vacations for Families in Florida worth visiting.
Let us know in the comments below what are some of your favorite best beaches in Texas you enjoy visiting as a family below.
Until next time,
Safe travels.
Jess and Jeanette are two sisters who created Unseen Beaches. This beach travel site was inspired by their family beach vacations while growing up. Helping you discover the best U.S. beach destinations worth visiting, staying, and eating at.
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