Best 25 Things to Do in Port Aransas, Texas
Port Aransas has been my family’s favorite Texas beach getaway since I was a child. Just a few hours from San Antonio, this coastal town on Mustang Island offers sandy beaches, fishing, wildlife watching and plenty of ways to enjoy a weekend by the Gulf.
Whether you’re planning a family beach vacation, a couples’ getaway or a quick escape from San Antonio, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Port Aransas beyond spending the day on the beach.
I’ve gathered 25 activities to help you plan your visit, including free attractions, outdoor adventures and a few experiences worth adding to your budget.
From watching dolphins near the harbor to exploring the island’s nature trails, here’s how to make the most of your time in Port Aransas.
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Port Aransas at a Glance
Port Aransas makes an easy Texas beach getaway, whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or a full week.
- Best time to visit: Spring and fall offer opportunities for beach days, outdoor activities and wildlife watching. Expect larger crowds during spring break and summer.
- How long to stay: Plan two to three days to enjoy the beach, explore the island and try a few local activities.
- Getting there: Port Aransas is about a two-hour drive from San Antonio, depending on traffic and your route.
- Getting around: A car is helpful for exploring the area. Golf carts are popular for shorter trips around town and designated areas.
- Top three highlights: Spend time on Port Aransas Beach, take a dolphin-watching cruise and explore the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.
- Where to stay: Choose from beachfront resorts, condos, hotels and vacation homes, depending on your budget and group size.
- Budget tip: Balance paid excursions with free beach time, nature walks and other low-cost activities.
#1. Beaches
Port Aransas is relatively small, with a little over 3,000 full-time residents. However, thousands of people flock to this small community in spring and summer for its miles of beautiful beaches and resort-like atmosphere.
Unsurprisingly, the best activity in Port Aransas is enjoying a day at its picturesque beaches.
The simple pleasures of sunbathing, building sandcastles, or getting lost in a great book under an umbrella make for the perfect beach day.
Common activities include walking along the shoreline to collect seashells, playing volleyball, and flying a kite.
With over eighteen miles of beaches, you can find your own slice of paradise, whether it’s a secluded spot or a bustling stretch.
Unlike many coastal destinations, Port Aransas offers the unique perk of driving directly onto the beach. This convenience enhances the beach-going experience, making it accessible for families, groups, and solo adventurers alike.
Before driving down the beach, purchase an annual beach parking pass at one of the town’s convenience stores for $12.
Display the pass in your passenger side window. The pass allows you to park on the beautiful Port Aransas beaches.
Imagine not having to haul your beach toys and supplies through a parking lot, but instead keeping everything in your car within reach. It’s so convenient.
#2. Build a Sandcastle
Building sandcastles is a favorite Port Aransas beach activity because the sand’s moisture level is perfect for creating a sand masterpiece.
In fact, one of Port Aransas’s most popular events is SandFest, which happens each April.
Competitors from all over gather at Port A for the nation’s largest sand sculpture competition. The festival includes the sand sculpture competition, shopping, live music, food, and a fun-filled beach weekend.
#3. Go Fishing
Port Aransas is known as the “Fishing Capital of Texas.” There are a variety of ways to enjoy fishing in Port Aransas. You can fish from the beach, charter a tour, or fish from the piers or jetties.
#4. Dolphin Watch Nature Tour or Sunset Cruise
Dolphin watching is one of our favorite things to do in Port Aransas. The best way to do this is to book a dolphin watching cruise or sunset cruise.
Cruises leave from the Port Aransas Harbor area near the ferry.
The dolphin watch nature tours last 1 ½ hours and leave several times throughout the day, and prices vary based on the time of year.
Sunset cruises leave starting at 6:30 PM.
For a large family, consider booking a private dolphin and sunset cruise.
#5. Go Bird Watching
Port Aransas is a bird watcher’s paradise. With wetlands and miles of beach, the area offers a refuge for many bird species.
In fact, the Port Aransas Nature Preserve has four spots dedicated to protecting the area’s habitats.
If you have time to go to one, I recommend the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center. It is free and open from sunrise to sunset, but the morning is the best time to go.
A small cement pathway surrounded by beautiful plants and butterflies leads you into the area, where you will find a well-built boardwalk and viewing tower for your use.
The birding center fills with some serious bird watchers. Don’t feel silly with your iPhone as they carry their mega lenses. You can still enjoy the experience with informational plaques.
If you have wildlife binoculars, you should bring them.
I don’t know much about the birds I was looking at, but you might see herons, pelicans, and ducks.
If you are lucky, you might even see the alligator that lives there, as we did.
Beware, the wastewater treatment plant is located next door. It gave off a not-so-pleasant smell that lingered our way, but it wasn’t enough to ruin the experience.
A birding expert guides groups through the boardwalk each Wednesday at 9:00 AM on a free walk called Birding on the Boardwalk. All levels of birdwatchers can come; they even have binoculars you can use for the walk.
#6. Visit Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
If a trip to the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center has piqued your interest in bird watching, then you must plan a visit to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in the nearby beach town of Rockport, Texas.
The wildlife refuge protects the breeding grounds of the endangered whooping crane.
Visitors can enjoy the new visitors center, a 16-mile auto tour, observation towers, walking trails, and picnic spots.
#7. Visit the Port Aransas Museum
Learn about the history of this small fishing town by visiting the Port Aransas Museum. Also visit Farley Boat Works to see a working boat museum.
You might recognize the Farley Boat name from the boats you see at various businesses around town. Farley Boat Works sponsors the annual Wooden Boat Festival held over three days in October each year.
#8. Go Souvenir Shopping
One of my favorite things to do in Port Aransas after a morning spent in the sun is visiting the Port Aransas souvenir shops.
Souvenir shops are easy to find in town. Look for the giant beach-themed displays, such as the open-mouthed giant shark or the black-and-white lighthouse.
Many souvenir shops sell T-shirts, beach towels, beach toys, flip-flops, and beachy souvenirs like shark tooth necklaces.
You won’t find chain retailers in Port Aransas, but you will find adorable, locally owned businesses like BoJon’s, Roam Home, and Stephanie’s Stuff, all selling beach-related decor, clothing, and toys.
These boutique shops are located throughout town and offer unique items to take home and remember your fun time on the island.
#9. Enjoy Waterfront Dining
Indulge in the ultimate waterfront dining experience at Port Aransas’ many bayfront and marina restaurants.
With a casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere, many of these kid- and pet-friendly spots offer delectable seafood delights amidst stunning views.
Savor Gulf flavors while soaking up the laid-back vibes of this coastal paradise.
#10. Play a Round of Golf
For a small beach town, Port Aransas has a fantastic golf course.
The Palmilla Beach Golf Course welcomes golfers to tee off on its “links” style golf course. This course is similar to those you might find in Scotland in that three of its holes run parallel to the beach and have coastal dunes.
Originally designed by Arnold Palmer, the course has nine holes with a par three loop. Golfers can play 9, 12, or 18 holes.
Palmilla is a casual golf club with no membership fee or dress code. The course embraces island living, and players are encouraged to come and play a round with friends.
Your tee time fee includes a golf cart and an hour on the driving range.
When your round is over, visit REDS Grill at the Palmilla Clubhouse for drinks, snacks, and music.
#11. Find the Wooden Art Displays
The entire family, whether you’re traveling with kids or young-at-heart companions, loves finding the whimsical painted wooden art displays around Port Aransas.
The wooden displays make for great photo opportunities.
My family members modeled for you. Don’t they look great?
#12. Explore The University of Texas Marine Science Institute’s Patton Center
The newly opened Patton Center, run by the UT Marine Science Institute, offers hands-on opportunities to learn about Port Aransas’s local marine life.
The Patton Center, located at 855 East Cotter Ave., is free to visit and is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday.
Visiting the Patton Center is a free and fun way to spend time with the family.
#13. Go Parasailing
For an adventure over the water, check out Chute ‘Em Up Parasailing, located in Port A Outfitters. You can fly high above the Lydia Ann Channel for around $90 per person. Chute ‘Em Up has rave reviews on Facebook, especially from first-timers.
They take up anyone from age seven and up and can even take up to three people at a time. So, pick your best friends and have the time of your life.
#14. Kayak at Night
Want a water adventure that doesn’t include flying? One of the most unique things to do in Port Aransas is kayaking at night! Glow Row light-up kayak tours offer two trips on Thursday nights, leaving at 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM.
The mile-long trip takes over an hour.
Clear-bottom kayaks fitted with colorful lights will be your vessel as you cross the boating channel and then into the shallows of Lighthouse Lakes.
Beginners are welcome!
#15. Learn How to Surf
Texas may not be known for surfing; however, the owner of Texas Surf Camps is changing that thought. His passion for surfing was the force behind creating Texas Surf Camps.
The company offers daily and weekly camps, which meet at the Horace Caldwell Pier in I.B. Magee Beach Park.
Anyone age six and up with basic swimming skills can sign up for a camp or class.
If surfing isn’t your thing, try stand-up paddleboarding. Texas Surf Camps offers private and group lessons.
Paddleboarding is a surprisingly peaceful activity once you find your balance. It’s worth checking out.
#16. Act Like a Pirate on a Pirate Cruise
That’s right! Port Aransas has its very own pirate ship.
The Red Dragon Pirate Cruise takes visitors out into the Lydia Ann Channel in Port Aransas for a two-hour trip two times daily.
The interactive boat ride is a super fun thing to do in Port Aransas.
The boat tour includes “pirates” entertaining you with stories, engaging you in a water gun and sword fight, blasting a cannon, and providing an overall fun adventure. Passengers even spot dolphins on the trips.
The Red Dragon Pirate Cruises depart from Capt. Kitty’s, near the ferry landing in Port Aransas.
Trip costs vary by season. To ride on a pirate ship, advance reservations are required.
#17. Cruise the Island in a Golf Cart
Golf cart rentals in Port Aransas have become increasingly popular. Rental companies have popped up all over town, making golf carts easy to rent.
Port Aransas is extremely walkable if you stay in town, but the most popular mode of transportation around town and at the beach is golf carts. You will see golf carts of different sizes zipping around, intermingling with the regular traffic.
Many visitors cruise the small town in their carts, looking for fun things to do in Port Aransas.
Beachfront condos and home rental communities have boardwalks that let you drive your carts onto the beach, making it much more convenient.
Because of their popularity, golf carts are allowed on town streets and along most of the beach. For safety reasons, you cannot drive golf carts on the highway.
Some Port Aransas vacation rental properties now include golf carts in the rental price. When looking for a Port Aransas vacation condo or house, consider renting one that includes a golf cart.
Golf cart rental prices range from $150 to $225 per day, so having the cost included in the accommodation rental can save you money.
Golf cart rentals in Port Aransas
- Bron’s Backyard & Beach Rentals—In addition to golf carts, Bron’s rents chairs, umbrellas, and other beach items.
- Trout Street Golf Cart Rentals
- Sage Beach Carts – provider for Cinnamon Shores guests
- Ocean Carts
- Jackfish Golf Cart Rentals – Rents golf carts, surfboards, fishing gear, and boogie boards
#18. Take a Yoga Class
The Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture is over 1,000 acres of undeveloped land preserved in Port Aransas as a haven for wildlife.
As the city’s development happens, the conservation of the land maintains the coastal environment for birds and waterfowl.
The Preserve offers free yoga classes on Tuesdays at 12:30 PM. You have to pre-register for the class, which you can do here.
#19. Watch Turtles Released Into the Ocean
This next activity isn’t in Port Aransas but near the Padre Island National Seashore.
If you visit Port Aransas in the summer, check the schedule for sea turtle hatchling releases at Padre Island National Seashore on Malaquite Beach, at the Malaquite Visitor Center.
Each year, Kemp sea turtles, the smallest and most endangered sea turtle species, come to Texas beaches and lay their eggs. After they lay their eggs, they return to the sea and never come back.
Volunteers search the beaches for the nests, then rescue and care for the eggs until they hatch.
Visitors can watch the hatchlings being released onto the National Seashore beach. Their journey to the water can take up to forty-five minutes.
Because the hatching timeline is an estimate, there is no set release schedule.
For up-to-date details, check the Hatchling Hotline (361-949-7163) or the Padre Island National Seashore Facebook page.
#20. Visit San Jose Island
For even more secluded beach time, take a short ferry ride to San Jose Island, also known as St. Jo’s Island.
On the deserted island, you will find twenty-one miles of undisturbed beaches, including some of the best for shelling unique shells.
The ferry leaves from Fisherman’s Wharf in town on a set schedule. The island has no amenities, so bring anything you might need for your visit.
#21. Visit the Texas State Aquarium
The Texas State Aquarium is located a short drive away in Corpus Christi. The aquarium educates visitors about the Gulf of Mexico and its sea animals.
Visitors learn about dolphins, turtles, sharks, and rays through interactive presentations.
There’s also a splash park for kids, a 4-D theater, and plenty of dining options.
#22. Rent a Beach Tiki Hut
Imagine relaxing on the beach in your beach chair, under the perfectly placed umbrella for the right amount of shade, listening to music while you sip a margarita. Now imagine enjoying all of this without any of the effort.
That’s exactly what you’ll get when renting a Love Shack Tiki Hut for the beach. The tiki hut and everything you need for a fantastic beach day are delivered and set up.
Let them do all the work while you sit back, relax, and party the day away.
#23. Paint Your Own Ceramics
When you have had just a bit too much beach time and are looking a bit like a lobster, take a break at Fire It! Ceramics.
This paint-your-own ceramic studio is one of the largest ceramic studios in Texas.
Thousands of pieces are available to paint, including mugs, platters, and kid-friendly pieces.
If you’re in a hurry, you can use acrylic paints and take your masterpiece home on the same day. Alternatively, you can have your piece fired in the kiln, which will take 1-3 days before it’s ready to take home.
Not to worry, if you prefer to have your items shipped, they can make arrangements for you.
You don’t even need a reservation. Just walk on in!
#24. Play Putt-Putt Golf
If you are looking for a family-friendly adventure near Port Aransas, you must check out Treasure Island Golf & Games. It offers two putt-putt courses: the Adventure Course and the Challenge Course.
The courses offer just enough challenge to make for a fun afternoon or evening for the whole family.
#25. Indulge in a Tipsy Sno Cone
After a full day in the sun, relax on the patio at Bron’s Shaved Ice & To Go Bar as you sway in a hammock, listen to live music, and sip a delicious cocktail or non-alcoholic slushy.
It’s the perfect way to cool down and soak in the island life.
Best Time to Visit Port Aransas
While there’s no bad time to visit Port Aransas, a few things to consider can help you choose when to go.
Spring brings families and college students to the beach for spring break and spring vacations. Crowds can be large, especially during the second and third weeks of March, when Texas schools are on spring break.
In the fall and winter, you will find mild weather, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation prices.
SandFest is an annual three-day festival in April that celebrates the art of sand sculpting and attracts artists and spectators worldwide.
Held on the beaches of Mustang Island, this festival showcases impressive sand creations, ranging from intricate sculptures to larger-than-life designs, creating a festive atmosphere by the Gulf of Mexico.
Summer draws the biggest crowds, and condominiums and home rentals cost more. Therefore, book your Port Aransas accommodations well in advance for a summer trip.
How to Get to Port Aransas
Located about 180 miles south of San Antonio, Port Aransas is the only town on Mustang Island, a long, narrow island south of Corpus Christi.
In 2022, Tripadvisor ranked Port Aransas No. 20 among the Top 25 beach resorts in the United States, and Southern Living readers ranked it among the Top 15 Beach Towns in the South.
There are two ways to get to the island: by bridge or ferry.
The JFK Causeway bridge connects to Corpus Christi and delivers visitors onto the south end of Mustang Island by Mustang Island State Park.
A free three-minute car ferry connects to the island through the city of Aransas Pass and drops visitors in the heart of Port Aransas.
To ride the ferry, simply join the car line. No reservations are needed, and the ferry operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
During the busy summer months, the ferry wait can be long. No convenient stores or bathrooms are available once you get in line, so come prepared.
Check the Port Aransas ferry schedule for updates and wait times.
RELATED POST: Driving to Port Aransas? Check out my post: The Best Buc-ee’s Snacks for your Next Road Trip.
Where to Stay in Port Aransas
Port Aransas has many great vacation rentals. I compiled a list of some of the best places to stay on the island, including the best house rentals with private pools.
Begin Planning Your Next Port Aransas Trip
Port Aransas is a Texas coastal gem that offers a charming seaside ambiance and plenty of activities for visitors, whether they are visiting for the first time or are seasoned pros.
The town is perfect for those seeking relaxation or excitement, with plenty of things to do, from beachcombing to water sports. The tranquil waters and pristine sands make for an unforgettable retreat, and San Antonio is just a short drive away, adding to Port Aransas’ allure.
You will fall in love with Port Aransas’ coastal charm and, hopefully, will create lasting memories that will keep you returning year after year.
Who knows? Maybe I will see you there.
RELATED POST: If you want to learn about another Tripadvisor top-ranked United States beach, you can read about Ogunquit, Maine, in my post from a New England road trip.
