The One Gulf Coast Town Everyone Should Visit At Least Once
The Gulf Coast is a magical place, blessed with sunny days, warm waters, and sandy beaches. Add in short winters, and it is easy to sneak in a beach day almost any time of year. If you are having a hard time narrowing down all of your warm and sunny options for your next vacation, look no further than the Texas town of Port Aransas.
This small town sits along the shores of Mustang Island, one of the longest barrier islands on the Texas coast. Its fishing scene is remarkable, earning it the title of the state’s fishing capital, while its beaches and nature preserves are equally impressive. An already amazing stay is made even better by its restaurants, where waterfront spots await. Pack your flip flops, swimming suit, and fishing pole, and get ready to explore all that Port Aransas has to offer.
The Fishing Capital of Texas
On May 24, 2025, the Texas Governor officially named Port Aransas as the "Fishing Capital of Texas," a fitting title given the variety of fish and the many ways to cast a line here. The Gulf waters that surround the town are teeming with all kinds of fish, including red snapper, flounder, tarpon, redfish, tuna, and more. You can opt to do your fishing at one of the local piers, such as Horace Caldwell Pier, which has a $3 access fee, or the Pier at Roberts Point Park, which is free, among many other locations.
If you want to get a bit further out on the water, sign up for an excursion with one of the many fishing charters that operate in Port A. Deep Sea Headquarters offers several trip types, including daily bay fishing, offshore tours, state water trips, and even overnight tours that last up to 60 hours. Once you have your catch, you can take it to a local restaurant and have them cook it up for you. FINS Grill and Icehouse is one such restaurant, preparing your fish while you sip on a tropical cocktail and relax on their deck.
Beaches
With more than 18 miles of shoreline, you won’t have a hard time finding a place to swim and sunbathe during your time in Port Aransas. Mustang Island State Park has five miles of sandy beaches to enjoy along Mustang Island’s coastline, offering plenty of spots to fish and bird, along with amenities like showers, restrooms, and electric and primitive campsites. You can also grab your kayak and explore the park’s paddling trail, which passes through some of the best shallow water fishing zones in Texas.
If you’re looking for something further off the beaten path, consider spending a day on San Jose Island. This privately-owned island requires visitors to take a ferry ride from Fisherman’s Wharf to arrive, with vehicles completely prohibited from the shoreline. Twenty-one miles of golden sand await, along with a variety of bird species to keep your eye out for. This beach is also popular for shell hunting, where you may find whelks, sand dollars, shark eyes, and angel wings, while live creatures such as starfish should be left undisturbed.
Nature and Parks
Many people only associate Port Aransas with its beaches, but it also has four nature preserve sites in the area to check out, each offering trails, boardwalks, and areas to observe wildlife. Charlie’s Pasture is one of the most popular places to visit, a 1,217-acre preserve with tidal flats, marshes, uplands, and estuaries that sit on protected and undeveloped land. Visitors can explore this preserve on one of the designated hiking trails or even attend a nature walk that is offered periodically on Saturdays.
Birdwatchers will also definitely want to plan an afternoon at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, which is home to a native pollinator garden and two boardwalks that cross a freshwater wetland. As you stroll along the boardwalk, you can keep your eye out for waterfowl, grebes, egrets, herons, Roseate Spoonbills, cormorants, and shorebirds. You might even spot Boots, a beloved American alligator that lives in the area. Other natural areas you can visit during your time in Port A include Paradise Pond, a two-acre freshwater pond populated by bird species, and Wetland Park, a wheelchair-accessible park that overlooks tidal flats.
Waterfront Dining
Who doesn’t love a hearty meal by the water? In Port Aransas, you can choose between several waterfront restaurants for lunch or dinner. Grumbles Seafood Co. has some of the best views of the harbor, with both an inside seating area and an outdoor porch for guests to choose from. The seafood here is just as good as the views, with the restaurant only serving fish that is caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the dishes you’ll find on the menu include Gulf shrimp, Gulf Coast oysters, crab-stuffed flounder, and a fresh Gulf catch of the day.
Virginia’s on the Bay is just a few buildings down from Grumbles and has been operating in Port Aransas since 1996. This restaurant likewise has seating indoors or an open-air deck to dine on. It is not unusual to see boaters pull up and park right out front before going in for dinner.
The Perfect Vacation Awaits
Whether you are craving a mid-winter getaway or are already thinking about spring break or summer plans, Port Aransas has just the trip you need. Anglers will absolutely love the fishing scene, while hikers have plenty of preserves to choose from. If relaxing on a sunny beach is more of your vibe, you won’t have a problem finding some sandy shores to lounge on, either. It’s looking like your next beach vacation might just be the best one yet.
