Port Aransas
Texas's island beach town — relaxed, salty, and perfectly uncomplicated
Quick Facts
Late March through June for best weather before summer crowds.
About Port Aransas
Port Aransas occupies the northern tip of Mustang Island on the Texas Gulf Coast, accessible by ferry from Aransas Pass or by causeway from Corpus Christi. The town is what a Texas beach town should be: unpretentious, family-friendly, heavy on fishing, and genuinely beautiful in the golden light of a Gulf Coast evening. The UT Marine Science Institute maintains a research presence here, and birding in the dunes and wetlands is excellent.
Things to Do
Beach Time
Port A's beaches are wide, clean, and accessible by car — Texas still allows driving on the beach in many places. The water is warm from May through October, the waves are gentle by Atlantic standards but real enough to body-surf, and the sunsets over the Gulf are consistently excellent.
Deep Sea Fishing
Port Aransas is one of the premier fishing ports on the Texas Gulf Coast. Half-day and full-day fishing charters depart from the harbor targeting red drum, flounder, speckled trout, kingfish, and during offshore trips, marlin and sailfish.
Mustang Island State Park
3,703 acres of barrier island habitat — beach, coastal prairie, and tidal flats. The camping here (on the beach) is excellent. The birding during migration is outstanding.
Ferry Ride
The free ferry crossing from Aransas Pass to Port Aransas is one of the most enjoyable free experiences in Texas — 10 minutes on the Aransas Pass Ship Channel with views of shrimp boats, pelicans, and the occasional dolphin.
Where to Eat
Trout Street Bar & Grill
Gulf shrimp, fresh flounder, cold beer, and a deck overlooking the marina. The quintessential Port Aransas meal.
Crazy Cajun
Steamed Gulf seafood by the pound, served on newspaper, eaten with your hands. The crab legs and the spicy shrimp are the move.
🗺️ Getting There
Ferry from Aransas Pass (free, 24/7) or TX-361 from Corpus Christi over the JFK Causeway.
📅 Best Time to Visit
Late March through June for best weather before summer crowds. Fall (September–November) is magical — crowds gone, water still warm, birding at its peak.
🤠 Did You Know?
“The UT Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas operates the R/V Lone Star, a research vessel that has contributed to Gulf of Mexico ecology research for decades. The institute also offers a small free aquarium open to the public.”