Overview
Port Aransas is a town in Texas on the northern tip of Mustang Island on the Gulf of Mexico about 30 minutes drive north from Corpus Christi.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Port Aransas
University of Texas Marine Science Institute Visitor Center
Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
Located at the south end of Ross Avenue behind the Trolley Stop. Includes a long boardwalk extending out over shallow brackish water. The birding is fantastic and includes pelicans, egrets, herons, gulls, terns, cormoran…
Whooping Crane Festival
Normally held in February, this festival brings together guest speakers and includes events meant to celebrate the endangered bird that is found locally.
Deep Sea Roundup
"The Granddaddy of all Texas Tournaments."
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 95°F; winter lows dip to about 48°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Sep and Jun. (climate data from nearby Corpus Christi)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CRP Corpus Christi International Airport, Corpus Christi — 27 mi away. Directions
- VCT Victoria Regional Airport, Victoria — 71 mi away. Directions
- SAT San Antonio International Airport, San Antonio — 145 mi away (major hub). Directions
The closest major airport is Corpus Christi International Airport.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $89–$270 a night (typical $149), from 10 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$220, comfortable ~$440.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning University of Texas Marine Science Institute Visitor Center, Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
- Lunch Dairy Queen
- Afternoon Whooping Crane Festival, Deep Sea Roundup
- Dinner Crazy Cajun
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
- Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce/Tourist Bureau 403 W. Cotter. +1 361 749-5919 or +1-800-45-COAST. Stop by and peruse the visitor's info.
You can drive on the beach on Mustang Island. The sand is mostly packed but sometimes the winds builds loose drifts and it is easy to get stuck. If you do get stuck, don't panic. Stand outside your car looking dumbfounded by the situation and usually a few burly, macho, half-drunk guys will show up in a few minutes to help push you out. Be sure to shake their hands, thank them and offer them a beer if you've got it.
To park on the beach requires a beach parking permit available at the Chamber of Commerce and most stores around town. The police patrol the beach looking for problems and for cars without parking permits.
Get in
By plane
The closest major airport is Corpus Christi International Airport.
By car
Port Aransas is accessible from the north by a free ferry that runs across the ship channel 24 hours a day (Dec 2019). Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day the wait for the ferry can be up to 2 hours from Friday evening through Sunday evening to get on or off the island. During the week during the summer months the wait can still be 45 minutes to an hour during the day. After Labor Day, the waits are usually less than 30 minutes.
There is a causeway across the ship channel from Corpus Christi to Padre Island that makes getting to Port Aransas easier from the south, especially during the summer. The causeway is part of Park Road 22. The major highway to get there is IH-37 from San Antonio. US Hwy 77, which runs from the Mexico border to Waco (where it joins IH-35) intersects IH-37 just west of Corpus Christi.
By boat
The state of Texas operates a ferry service across Aransas Pass, connecting Port Aransas to Mustang Island. If you are in Port Aransas, you can use the ferry to reach Mustang Island State Park, Padre Island National Seashore, or Corpus Christi. Ferry information is on the Port Aransas web site.
Get around
Port Aransas is very accessible by car, although the main street through town can get very congested on summer weekends. Businesses provide ample free parking for customers and it is possible to park and walk to most shops and restaurants although the heat in the summer can be uncomfortable if you are not used to it.
Port Aransas provides a trolley that runs the length of town from the marina to the outlying RV parks for just 25 cents.
See
See Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
Located at the south end of Ross Avenue behind the Trolley Stop. Includes a long boardwalk extending out over shallow brackish water. The birding is fantastic and includes pelicans, egrets, herons, gulls, terns, cormorants, and many more. Turtles abound. And occasionally you can spot the resident alligator.
Do
Eat
Eat Dairy Queen
Burgers, tacos, shakes, and ice cream. A Texas favorite.
Eat Crazy Cajun
Cajun style seafood, gumbo, red beans and rice, dirty rice, shrimp, stone crab claws, crawfish and baby-back ribs served on butcher paper family style. Live entertainment on weekends. Enjoy a drink outside in the beer garden before dinner. Unusual place to eat as the food is dumped on the butcher paper tablecloth. Over the years, the prices have gone up and the portions have gotten smaller.
Eat Tortugas Saltwater Grill
A high-end seafood restaurant.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Stay The Commons at Seashell Townhomes (Commons)
Fully furnished 3-bedroom, 2½-bath townhouses a short walk from the beach. Each townhome has a fully stocked full-size kitchen with dishwasher, stove, oven, full-size fridge, and microwave. Near the front door is the common area with pool, cabanas, picnic tables, grills, and hammocks. Free Wi-Fi is available and most units are pet-friendly.
Stay The Courtyard Condominiums (Courtyard Condos)
Fully furnished apartments within walking distance of the beach. The "courtyard" includes a swimming pool, picnic tables, and barbeque grills. Outside the courtyard are a basketball court, a fish-cleaning house, outdoor showers, and lots of parking for cars and/or boats. Each apartment has a full-size kitchen with full-size appliances (stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator) and are fully stocked with dishes, cookware, and utensils. Wireless internet is included in the price but it can be sporadic. The office is open daily - in other words, it's not open 24/7. Keep that in mind if you think you will be checking in later in the evening. It's a great place for families (except the family pet) especially since you can prepare your own meals right in the unit.
Stay Pioneer Beach Resort
Fun RV park with 361 full hook-up sites including cable TV and free wireless Internet. The roads and sites are all concrete and level. There are also a half dozen or so rental cottages. Amenities include a convenience store, recreation hall with coin operated pool tables and video games, 2 swimming pools, hot tub, coin laundry and a boardwalk to the beach. On peak holidays weekends, the park organizes horseshoe tournaments and other activities, a free dance with live music, door prizes, complimentary sodas and beer and hot dogs or chopped beef sandwiches. A great family place.
Splurge
Stay Port Royal Ocean Resort and Conference Center
One of the nicest and most expensive condominiums on Mustang Island, located about eight miles from the towns center. It has the largest pool in Texas, actually several pools interconnected by waterfalls. There is also a water slide to the pool. Other amenities include hot tubs, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and a boardwalk to the beach. Two and three bedroom condos are available. Restaurant on-site.
Stay safe
Port Aransas is a tourist town and fairly safe from violent crime. Thevsheriff patrol constantly, especially on the beach. One of the main problems is public intoxication, mainly on the beach.
Go next
Nearby
Ingleside
City / town · 6 listings · 10 mi away
Rockport
City / town · 10 listings · 13 mi away
Mustang Island State Park
Park · 14 mi away
Fulton
City / town · 9 listings · 16 mi away
Corpus Christi
City / town · 56 listings · 22 mi away
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Park · 33 mi away
Refugio
City / town · 35 mi away
Kingsville
City / town · 6 listings · 53 mi away
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