Texas isn’t all about Cowboys and country music. The state has almost 400 miles of pristine coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, waiting for you to get your beach on!

Port Aransas is continuously identified as one of the best beach destinations in Texas but this small town has more to offer than just sandy shores.

There’s a reason Port A is one of the top weekend getaways in Texas.

With stellar fishing opportunities and several state parks, preserves, beaches, and parks in Port Aransas area you’ll love every moment here.

Here is a look at the 18 best things to do in Port Aransas.

And if you’re looking for an affordable hotel in Port A with a great location check out the Best Western Port Aransas for easy access to the beach + bars and restaurants.

Best Things to Do in Port Aransas

1. Offshore Fishing

Port Aransas was named the fishing capital of Texas, making offshore fishing one of the top things to do in Port Aransas.

Charter a boat and head out to sea to see what you can find at the end of your line.

New to offshore fishing? Take a half-day fishing charter around the bay and fish for flounder, redfish, and trout.

Looking for a bigger catch? Several Port Aransas deep sea fishing charters get you out to the open sea for a chance to catch mahi mahi, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo.

Expert captains can take you to all the fishing hotspots and know exactly what time of the year you can expect which fish.

LEARN MORE: 15 Best Places to Visit in Texas

2. Port Aransas Beach

Port Aransas is one of the most popular beach towns in Texas. With more than 18 miles of golden beaches, there is no shortage of space for activities like beachcombing and long beach walks.

The main public beach in Port Aransas is over 6 miles long so you’re sure to find a place to enjoy the sand and surf.

Visitors love beachcombing at Port A, taking their time to find pretty seashells and sand dollars. You can even find shark teeth sometimes.

The Port Aransas beach is filled with treasures after stormy weather and has even made headlines for the puzzling appearance of dozens of Portuguese Man O’ War! Don’t worry, Port A beach is usually clean and free of these colorful creatures.

You never know what you might find on this long sandy beach, treasure hunting is one of coolest things to do in Port Aransas.

And of course it’s a great place to watch the sunset in Port A.

When you’re not sure what to do in Port Aransas just head to the beach for that chill coastal vibe and watch the waves roll in.

Beachcombing, parasailing, and fishing are popular activities at Port Aransas beach

3. Padre Island National Seashore

The Gulf of Mexico is separated from Laguna Madre by the untouched barrier island known as Padre Island National Seashore.

This is the longest stretch of undeveloped land of its kind on the planet and is a haven for birds and animals alike.

This is also a breeding ground for the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, the rarest sea turtle in the world.

From mid-June through August you have a chance to witness the release of sea turtle hatchlings at Padre Island seashore.

Most of the sea turtle releases that are open to the public start at 6:45 AM on Malaquite Beach in front of the Visitor Center.

You can call the Sea Turtle Hatchling Hotline 361-949-7163 for more information on public release dates.

At Padre seashore you can also spot over 380 bird species and the lagoon is one of only a handful of hypersaline lagoons in the world.

You can admire the coastline and dunes, prairies, and wind tidal flats in all their untamed splendor.

Padre Island National Seashore is a truly unique experience in Texas.

Take a day trip from Port Aransas to Padre Island National Seashore

4. Rockport Beach

Rockport Beach is only a short drive from Port Aransas to the charming town of Rockport.

The beach has been voted one of the best and cleanest in Texas making it perfect for a fun family day out.

Plus, Rockport Beach is sheltered from strong currents and has delightfully calm waters.

There are also several shops and restaurants on the beach side where you can enjoy the splendid views.

Check out all the best things to do in Rockport now.

READ MORE: 15 Best Small Towns in TEXAS

Rockport Beach Texas

5. Pier Fishing

If the thought of deep sea fishing gets you green around the gills, opt for a relaxing day of fishing on the pier.

This is perfect if you haven’t found your sea legs or if you want to do something fun with the kids.

Horace Caldwell Fishing Pier is a mammoth concrete structure that stretches around 400 yards into the gulf.

It allows you to catch some deep-sea fish right from the pier as you are far from the break.

South Jetty is another popular spot for fishing without a boat in Port Aransas.

Had a good catch? There are several restaurants that will cook your fish for you.

That’s right, take your freshly cleaned catch over to FINS Grill and Icehouse and they will cook your catch for a memorable sea-to-table dining experience in Port A.

Horace Caldwell fishing pier stretches almost 1,200 feet over the Gulf making it a premium fishing spot in Port A

6. Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is one of the most popular beach destinations in Texas and has tons on offer for visitors. Even in downtown Corpus Christi you can enjoy a day by the water at McGee Beach.

Other popular beaches in Corpus Christi include North Beach (which doesn’t allow vehicles) and JP Luby Beach (parking pass required) which is popular for fishing and surfing but there’s also an area sectioned off for swimmers during summer months.

From admiring marine life at the Texas State Aquarium to boarding the USS Lexington naval ship turned museum, there’s something for everyone.

McGee Beach is located in downtown Corpus Christi

7. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center

Birdwatching is one of the best things to do in Aransas as its sits right on the largest migratory path in Texas.

Thousands of birds pass through here and many more call it their permanent home.

Stroll down the 700-foot boardwalk or take a seat at the shaded watch tower to admire the marvelous flocks of birds.

The large marsh is also home to alligators and other critters that you can see up close.

Port Aransas is a birdwatchers paradise and Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is one of the top birding spots

Alligator in water at Port Aransas birding center.

Port A birding center is also home to an alligator or two

8. Port Aransas Nature Preserve and Charlie’s Pasture

The Port Aransas Nature Preserve and Charlie’s Pasture is a stunningly diverse nature preserve and features uplands, sand flats, marshes, and shoreline.

The area is teaming with birds and a variety of plant species and nature lovers simply adore a tranquil stroll along the paved trail at the north side of Charlie’s Pasture.

The pavilion is a popular gathering spot for the community with free nature walks and yoga sessions on offer.

At Charlie’s Pasture South entrance (Hwy 361) you can walk the trail consisting of alternating boardwalk and crushed granite leading to an observation deck for birdwatching. The trail now continues all the way to Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.

Observation tower at Charlie's Pasture Port Aransas.

Walk the trail at Charlie’s Pasture and bring your binoculars for bird viewing

9. Roberts Point Park

The Roberts Point Park is the best place in Aransas for a family picnic or a chillaxing day next to the sea.

Meander along the boardwalk and try and spot some dolphins or sea turtles from the jetty. Or bring your fishing gear and drop a line from the pier.

You can see all the way to Mustang Island and Port Aransas from the park and there are gigantic ships frequenting the gulf that are quite a sight to behold.

Head up to the observation deck for the best views. The tower is two stories high and gives the perfect vantage points for photography or using your binoculars.

Roberts Point Park along the waterfront Port Aransas.

Roberts Point Park Port Aransas

10. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Bird watchers and wildlife overs will adore visiting Aransas Wildlife Refuge as there are over 115,000 acres of land protecting an abundance of animal, bird, and plant species.

Pack binoculars and your best camera to the treetop walkways to see if you can spot some of the rare and endangered species that call the park home.

Is seeing an armadillo in the wild on your bucket list? Then this is your happy place because the armadillos at Aransas Wildlife Refuge are abundant and active. Enjoy!

Be on the lookout for armadillo at Aransas wildlife refuge – they are fun to watch!

11. Port Aransas Museum

To get a better understanding of this quaint village, head to the Port Aransas Museum to see where it all began.

The tiny museum lives in an unassuming two-story house but inside is an abundance of historic treasures.

Watch video footage and interviews from decades past and admire the vast collections of photographs and documents the museum has collected.

There are also a few artifacts and revolving exhibits bringing the town’s history to life.

LEARN MORE: 15 Best Historic Sites in Texas

12. Rent a Kayak or SUP

Renting a watercraft is one of the top things to do in Port Aransas if you are an adventure lover.

In the warmer months, the beaches are dotted with rentals of kayaks and SUPs and you can rent them for a full day or get lessons.

Besides paddling from the beach you can also enjoy the Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail, it’s the first of its kind in the Lone Star State.

There are four trails from 1.25 miles to a mammoth 6.8miles, each winding through scenic mangroves and seagrass flats.

13. Mustang Island State Park

The dunes and wildflowers that border the shoreline of Mustang Island State Park exemplify Texas nature at its best.

Camp in the unspoiled scenes at one of the electric campsites or pitch your tent at one of the primitive beach campsites.

This is also one of the best places to rent a kayak or SUP in Port Aransas as the calm ocean water is the perfect playground for water enthusiasts.

The park also features hiking trails winding through the dunes.

Mustang Island State Park is only 13 miles from Port Aransas

14. Pirate Ship Cruise

You don’t have to go all the way to Tortuga or Penzance to feel like a pirate. Sail on an authentic pirate ship right in Port Aransas thanks to Red Dragon Pirate Cruise.

Actors dressed in pirate garb provide entertainment for kids on board with adventurous storytelling, face painting, and more.

If swashbuckling roleplay isn’t your vibe, you can take a seat at the bar and see if there is some rum on board during the adults-only cruise.

Spot dolphins and rays with the crew during this two-hour ocean adventure.

15. Golfing at Palmilla Beach

Palmilla Beach Golf Club is the perfect golfing location for a spur-of-the-moment round on the greens.

The club does not require memberships, doesn’t have a strict dress code, and offers club rentals if you don’t have your own set.

You also get access to the driving range ahead of your game and each booking comes with a free golf cart.

Tee off with unbeatable views over the Gulf of Mexico and end your day with a drink at their popular 19^th hole, REDS Patio Bar.

16. Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond

Behind the Restaurant San Juan, the Paradise Pond is a freshwater wetland with a pond and marsh area that makes for a perfect birding spot.

Take the boardwalk to the viewing area and watch for warblers, buntings, and other migrating birds at this little outdoor gem in Port A.

17. St Jos Island

You can see this uninhabited island from across the water in Port Aransas.

St Jos Island (also known as San Jose Island) has a long stretch of white sandy beach with excellent beachcombing, especially after stormy weather on the gulf.

For $18 per person ($9 for children ages 6 – 12) Jetty Boat provides roundtrip ferry service to St Jos Island from Fisherman’s Wharf in Port Aransas.

Be sure to bring a day pack with water, snacks, sunscreen, sunhat, and anything else you will need because there are no shops or facilities on the island.

Hop on the very short ferry ride from Port A to St Jos Beach for the best beachcombing

18. The Big Tree at Goose Island State Park

Visit the majestic live oak known simply as “The Big Tree” and marvel at the size of the trunk and the age of the meandering branches.

The big tree is estimated to be around 1,100 years old, but some estimates place it at 2,000 years old.

This is the oldest oak tree in Texas and surely worth a visit to see this coastal giant with a trunk circumference of over 35 feet!

The Big Tree at Goose Island State Park is worthy of an afternoon trip from Port A

Final Thoughts Port A Things to Do

Port Aransas might look like a sleepy town on paper but it’s full of fun activities to do on water and land. Port A is one of the best beach destinations in all of Texas and should be top of your list for your next trip down south.