Port Aransas area guide
What to do, when to go, a little history and how to get to Port Aransas and Mustang Island.
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Overview
Port Aransas is a resort and fishing town on Mustang Island, about 24 miles northeast of Corpus Christi. It sits at the north end of the island. Mustang Island is an 18-mile-long barrier island between Corpus Christi and the Gulf of Mexico.
Barrier islands like this one protect the bays and the mainland from the waves, wind, tides and storms of the Gulf. TPWD says sand dunes along the Gulf can rise 30 feet or more, and that walking or driving on them can damage them.
Mustang Island State Park is on the lower end of the island. TPWD says more than 400 bird species have been seen there, and it lists swimming, surfing, camping, fishing, kayaking and bird watching as things to do.
What to do
Beaches
The City of Port Aransas says parking a car on Port Aransas Beach takes an annual sticker. Mustang Island State Park has more than five miles of coastline, and you can swim, surf, picnic, camp and fish there.
- I. B. Magee Beach Park
A county beach park at the north end of Port Aransas with a jetty walk, an observation tower over the ship channel, camping, and beach access.
- Mustang Island State Park
Five miles of undeveloped Gulf beach with fishing jetties and a clean bathhouse with hot showers.
- Port Aransas Beach
Wide, hard-packed Gulf beach you can drive and park on, with real surf, good boogie boarding, and dolphins visible from shore.
On the Water
- Big Shell Bikes
Self-service beach cruiser rental via QR code and app, around $25 for six hours, with pickup points around town including at some hotels.
- Chute 'Em Up Parasailing/ Port A Parasail
Parasailing rides out of the Port A harbor, flying singles up to triples over the water.
- Coastal Cactus Cart Rentals
Husband-and-wife golf cart rental operation, walking distance from several hotels and rentals in town.
- Fishermans Wharf Pier
Pier at the Port A harbor wharf, good for watching the boats come in with the day's catch.
- Full Stringer Fishing Charters
Port A charter working the bays with the goal the name promises.
- Gettin' Salty Watersports Inc
Port A rentals for jet skis and water toys, the fast way to get the group on the water.
Boat Tours & Cruises
- Jetty Boat to San Jose Island
A short passenger ferry from Fisherman's Wharf to San Jose Island, a private, uninhabited barrier island with a long beach, gentle surf, and the north jetty.
- Pirates of the Lydia Ann
Pirate-themed boat cruise on the Lydia Ann Channel out of Port A, cannons, costumes, and delighted kids.
- Port Aransas Tiki Boat Tours
Private charters on a tiki-style boat.
- Red Dragon Pirate Cruises
Costumed pirate ship sailing out of Port A with water-cannon battles and treasure bits for the kids, calmer sunset sails for the adults.
- Salt Devil Cruises
Port A cruise outfit running small-boat trips on the bay and channel.
- Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures
Dolphin and sunset cruises out to the lighthouse on a comfortable mid-size boat with a bar on board and a drink package.
Fishing & Birding
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) says anglers on Mustang Island can surf fish in the Gulf of Mexico, cast from the Fish Pass jetties, or wade or kayak fish in Corpus Christi Bay.
- Blue Water Excursions
Private offshore charters with Captain Chad on a fast catamaran, plus dolphin and sunset tours.
- Come And Take It Sport Fishing
Private offshore charters on a 45-foot Cabo with air conditioning and couches below deck, plus bay trips.
- Deep Sea Headquarters
The main party-boat operator on the island, running 4, 5, 8 and 12-hour offshore trips plus a 3.5-hour bay trip.
- Dolphin Dock Inc.
Party-boat deep sea trips of varying lengths with an air-conditioned store on site.
- Island Tackle
Port A tackle shop with gear and rigging for the jetties and surf.
- Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond
Tiny freshwater pond and boardwalk in Port A that pulls in migrating songbirds.
Parks & Trails
- Charlie's Pasture South Trail
The southern section of the preserve, running through salt flats and coastal grassland to a viewing platform over an inlet.
- Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture
Over 1,200 acres of coastal wetland with an elevated boardwalk, viewing towers, and packed gravel paths wide enough for bikes.
Golf & Sports
- Palmilla Beach Golf Club
A links-style course running near the dunes at Cinnamon Shore, with genuinely excellent greens and a cart service.
- Port Aransas Disc Golf Course
Free disc golf course in Port A with island wind as the built-in handicap.
- Port Aransas skatepark
Skate park at Port Aransas Community Park, a city park that also has a playground, dog park, and basketball court.
Indoor Fun
- The Patton Center
The University of Texas Marine Science Institute's education center in Port Aransas, with eight large aquaria and interactive exhibits on local marine life and research.
Arts & History
- DC Sandman
Port A sand artist doing sculpting demos and beach lessons.
- Farley Boat Works
A working boat shop rather than a museum, where volunteers build wooden boats using the traditional Farley methods.
- Fire It! Ceramics
Paint-your-own pottery studio in Port A, a dependable rescue on a rainy or sunburned day.
- Lydia Ann Lighthouse
Historic 1857 lighthouse on the Lydia Ann Channel, still standing on private land.
- Port Aransas Art Center
Community art center in Port A with rotating local exhibits, classes, and a gift gallery of coastal work.
- Port Aransas Museum
Two rooms and a gift shop in a small house, covering the island's founding families, lighthouse history, and the story behind the wooden Farley boats.
Shopping
- Bay Quest
Port A shop with souvenirs and beach goods along the main drag.
- BeachMart
A large, well-organised beach shop with clothing, toys, umbrella holders and beach gear, plus proper fitting rooms.
- Bo Jon's Surf & Gifts
Beach clothing and gifts with a large selection of iron-on transfers for custom shirts.
- Boutique Bella Bella
Port A boutique with beachy clothing and gifts.
- Connoisseur Gifts & Novelty
Sterling silver jewellery, wall art, coastal decor, and natural body care, at noticeably better quality than the strip souvenir shops.
- Destination Beach & Surf
A large beach supply store: chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, snorkel gear, sand toys, water shoes, coolers, towels, sunscreen, and custom shirts.
Food & Drink
- BierHaus Port Aransas
German-leaning Port A spot with brats, schnitzel, and a long beer list.
- Cancun Grill & Cantina
Open from early morning until late, with homemade tortillas, chilaquiles, chimichanga with gravy, fajitas, and a full plate of guacamole when you ask for a side.
- Castaway's Seafood & Grill
An easygoing coastal restaurant doing crab boils in mild or spicy, gulf oysters on the half shell, ceviche, and a well-regarded gumbo.
- FINS Grill & Icehouse
A big marina-side patio looking out over the fishing fleet and the pirate ship.
- Grumbles Seafood Co.
Counter-service seafood at Fisherman's Wharf with a patio over the water.
- Jeremiah's Boat Dock Grill
A small newer gastropub on the boat docks.
Desserts & Coffee
- Barefoot Beans
A coffee bar and boutique in one, with an outdoor seating area and a play space, opening very early.
- Bron's Shaved Ice and To Go Bar
Port A stand pairing shaved ice with to-go drinks.
- Coffee Waves
The best coffee on the island, with gelato, croissant sandwiches, cakes, local art on the walls, and the Sea Shelves bookstore inside the same building.
- Desserted Island Ice Cream
The island landmark, open from late morning until late at night.
- Espresso Gelato
Port A shop pulling espresso and scooping gelato under one roof.
- Island Bakery
Port A bakery with fresh-baked goods a short hop from the beach.
Nights Out
- 361 Bar
Casual Port A bar off the main drag with cheap drinks and a local crowd.
- Beach Bums
Port A bar with cold drinks and a beach-crowd attitude, lively in season.
- Bernie's Beach House
A local dive with a happy hour worth showing up for, where you order food at the kitchen window and get a buzzer.
- Kody's
Port A's late-crowd bar and dance floor, packed in summer.
- Salty Dog Saloon
Port A bar with a salty crowd, cold beer, and live music some nights.
- Shorty's Place
The oldest bar on the island and the best dive bar in the region.
When to visit
The Deep Sea Roundup is a fishing tournament held in Port Aransas in July. Its own site calls it the oldest fishing tournament on the Texas coast. Dates change every year, so check with the organizer first.
TPWD says spring and summer are the busy season at Mustang Island State Park, and that visiting in cooler months gives a quieter beach. It lists bird watching as an activity, especially during spring and fall migrations.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to NOAA. Storms sometimes form outside those dates. Check the forecast from the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi and follow local officials.
History
The settlement began as a sheep and cattle grazing station. Robert A. Mercer set it up in 1850, and he built a cabin on Mustang Island in 1855. The first post office opened in 1888 under the name Ropesville. In 1896 the name changed to Tarpon, to celebrate the local fishing. On April 1, 1911, the town took the name Port Aransas.
The island was named for the wild horses that roamed it for hundreds of years. TPWD says the Karankawa were the earliest known people on Mustang Island. The Handbook of Texas says Port Aransas has grown quickly as a resort since World War II, because of the miles of public beach and the chances to fish, swim, surf and camp.
TPWD bought 3,954 acres on the island from private owners in 1972, and the state park opened in 1979.
Getting around
Port Aransas is connected to the mainland by the State Highway 361 causeway and by a state-operated ferry. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says its Port Aransas ferry crosses the Corpus Christi Channel on SH 361, between Aransas Pass on the mainland and Port Aransas on Mustang Island.
On the beach, the City of Port Aransas says the stretch between the sand dunes and the wooden post markers is a two-lane Texas roadway, and all traffic laws apply. Parking a car on the beach requires an annual sticker. You can buy one at City Hall or from other sellers the city lists, and it works in both Port Aransas and Corpus Christi. Fees and rules change, so check the city's beach page before you go.
Getting here
These drive times come from the OSRM routing service, which uses OpenStreetMap data. Each one starts at the center of the city and ends in Port Aransas. The route includes the Port Aransas ferry crossing, which TxDOT describes above. Drive times vary with traffic, so allow extra time on busy days.
- From Houston: about 210 miles and about 4 hours 15 minutes. The route uses I-69, US 59 and US 77.
- From Austin: about 195 miles and about 4 hours. The route uses US 183 and US 77 Alt.
- From San Antonio: about 165 miles and about 3 hours 15 minutes. The route uses I-37, US 281, TX 188 and US 181.
Where to stay
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Plan your tripSources
- Handbook of Texas: Port Aransas, TX (TSHA)
- Handbook of Texas: Mustang Island (TSHA)
- Mustang Island State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)
- Mustang Island State Park nature (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)
- Mustang Island State Park history (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)
- Ferry boat schedules, Corpus Christi-Port Aransas (Texas Department of Transportation)
- Port Aransas Beach (City of Port Aransas)
- Deep Sea Roundup (the tournament's own site)
- Tropical cyclone climatology (NOAA National Hurricane Center)
- National Weather Service Corpus Christi
- OpenStreetMap contributors (map and route data)