October 5, 2024

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9 Corpus Christi beaches for every type of Texas traveler

9 Corpus Christi beaches for every type of Texas traveler

When it comes to ways to play in Texas, it’s hard to beat a day at a Corpus Christi beach. Why spend a fortune at a tropical resort, when South Texas beaches are closer, more affordable and offer spectacular views. You can even camp right by the water, with sunrises and sunsets bookending your day.

So what’s the best spot along the breeze-cooled Gulf coastline? Do you want solitude or culture? Are you looking to enjoy water sports, a romantic escape or simply sunbathing? With more than 100 miles of sandy coastline to choose from, we’ve put together a guide to help you pick the best Corpus Christi beach to visit during your next South Texas getaway.

North Beach

Just over the Harbor Bridge from downtown Corpus Christi, North Beach will captivate the whole family with its terrific attractions.

9 Corpus Christi beaches for every type of Texas traveler

Flamingos at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi’s North Beach. 

Robin Soslow

Tour the USS Lexington, a WWII-era aircraft carrier that’s home to an F-14 Tomcat you’ll recognize from the movie “Top Gun.” The battleship also offers ghost tours and escape rooms. A short walk away, the Texas State Aquarium houses enormous tanks of sharks and other fish, habitats with otters and flamingos, touch tanks with rays and an underwater deck for watching bottlenose dolphins gliding beneath the waves. North Beach locals’ secrets: you can stroll and bike along the 3-mile paved Beachwalk, and fish on the jetties. Amenities include restrooms and showers.

Find it: 201 Surfside Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78402

McGee Beach

In downtown Corpus Christi on the bay, McGee Beach is close to restaurants, hotels, microbreweries, thrift shops, music and attractions such as the Texas Surf Museum. Swim with the family in calm waters, play volleyball on the sand, visit the playground or picnic on the beautifully designed seawall. There are restrooms, rentals for beach gear, bicycles, scooters and even surrey bicycles and jet skis and free parking along the seawall and in the lots. Driving is not permitted on this beach.

A beautifully designed historic seawall faces the bayfront at McGee Beach, a family-friendly beach in downtown Corpus Christi. 

A beautifully designed historic seawall faces the bayfront at McGee Beach, a family-friendly beach in downtown Corpus Christi. 

Robin Soslow

For a workout, jog or bike along the nearly 9-mile Corpus Christi Bay Trail. And just north of McGee Beach, visit the bayfront memorial honoring Tejano superstar Selena.

Find it: 402 S. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78401


Barrier Island Beaches 

Cross the John F. Kennedy Memorial Causeway from Corpus Christi to the beaches of Mustang Island and Padre Island. Each beach offers cool Texas attractions with free or cheap access, but parking on the sand does require a $12 permit, valid for one year, and available at many gas stations and grocery stores; view locations here. Also check this handy beach parking permit guide before you go.

Mustang Island

Mustang Island State Park (entrance fee $5) beckons with miles of clean sand for sunning, beachcombing, picnicking and watching for dolphins. This locals’ pick for beach camping is convenient to downtown Corpus Christi and Port Aransas. Stay at one of 48 water and electric campsites or 50 drive-up primitive sites starting at $20 a night. Amenities include restrooms and hot showers, plus shaded picnic shelters, rinse showers and portable toilets at the beach.

Mustang Island State Park has miles of sandy beach for beachgoers to enjoy. 

Mustang Island State Park has miles of sandy beach for beachgoers to enjoy. 

Robin Soslow

Join ranger-led outings to watch for birds, or follow the 20-mile Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail, where you’ll discover some of the best fishing in Texas.

Prefer comfort to camping? Outside the state park, choose eco-friendly beachfront lodging. Lively Beach offers fully equipped condos with rooftop observation decks, a large swimming pool and a boardwalk to the beachfront.

Waterfront spots for volleyball, dining, sailing and sunset celebrations are just a few minutes’ drive west on Sunset Island.

Find it: 9394 State Highway 361, Mile Markers 103-195, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

North Packery Beach

Also called J.P. Luby Surf Park, North Packery Beach’s robust offshore winds lure surfers, kiteboarders, wakeboarders and jet skiers. Here, two surf fish-ready jetties separate Mustang Island and Padre Island, and there are designated swim areas for plenty of fun in the water. Tent camp on the beach or pull up to an electric campsite behind the sand dunes. Amenities include picnic tables, grills, bathhouse with restrooms, rental chairs and umbrellas.

A view of the jetty at North Packery Beach in Corpus Christi.

A view of the jetty at North Packery Beach in Corpus Christi.

Robin Soslow

Popular with the party crowd, this beach allows campfires and faces stunning sunsets. Just off the beach are the county park’s boardwalk nature trail, wildlife sanctuary and boat ramp.

Find it: 14813 Highway 361, Mile Markers 195-208, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

South Packery Channel Beach

At South Packery Channel Beach, surfers ride waves churned up by the jetty and fishermen cast off of it. Campfires and camping are permitted, and you can stroll, bicycle and skate along the Padre Island Seawall, which runs south to Whitecap Beach.

Find it: 14802 Windward Drive, Mile Markers 210-213, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

Michael J. Ellis Beach

Midway along the seawall at Michael J. Ellis Beach, watch the sunrise, walk along the shore or seawall, swim, play volleyball, picnic, bicycle and surf. The vibe at this beach is calm since driving isn’t permitted along this beach.

Girl and seagulls on beach in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

Girl and seagulls on beach in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

Cavan Images/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF

Park in the free lot and walk the ramp down to the beach, or drive down beach access road 3A to the water. Conveniences include restrooms, showers, an ADA ramp, beach gear rentals and plenty of hotels. Campfires are also permitted.

Find it: 14926 Windward Dr., Mile Markers 213-219, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

Whitecap Beach

At the south end of the North Padre Island seawall, this pretty Gulf Coast beach allows driving on part of the beach, while the beach in front of the seawall is for pedestrians only.

Horseback riding on Whitecap Beach in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

Horseback riding on Whitecap Beach in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

Courtesy Visit Corpus Christi

The name Whitecap explains why surfers flock here. Go solo or with companions, read or wander or take a horseback riding tour, there’s a little something for everyone here. Campfires and camping are also permitted and visitors have access to restrooms, showers and an ADA ramp.

Find it: 14802 Whitecap Blvd., Mile Markers 221-227, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

Padre Balli Surf Park

At Padre Balli Surf Park, surfers catch waves by iconic Bob Hall Pier, wildlife biologists patrol for sea turtles and locals welcome visitors on this family-oriented beach. Rentals include fishing gear and golf carts for cruising the area.

Bob Hall Pier at Padre Balli Park in  Corpus Christi, Texas.

Bob Hall Pier at Padre Balli Park in  Corpus Christi, Texas.

Jennifer Coulter/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Camping is easy here with 100 paved RV-friendly campsites and 12 hardtop areas for tents with electrical and water hookups. Camping fees include use of the bathhouse and Wi-Fi access. Beach campfires and camping are also permitted and conveniences include picnic tables, cabanas, restrooms, showers, laundromat, ADA accessibility and restaurants.

Find it: 15820 Park Road 22, Mile Markers 230-235, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

Padre Island National Seashore

Welcome to the world’s longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island. Camp by the Gulf and with 4-wheel drive vehicles, cruise 66 miles of pristine shoreline. Enjoy tranquility by the waves, dunes and grasslands, refreshing sea breezes and star-filled dark skies.

Malaquite Beach (where you’ll find the park’s visitor center) is closed to vehicles, making it a relaxing spot to play, sunbathe and swim. Climb up the observation deck for terrific views, grill by a shaded picnic table or borrow beach wheelchairs free from the visitor center. At Malaquite’s campground, semi-primitive RV and tent sites in the dunes face the Gulf. 

A baby seat turtle release at Padre Island National Seashore on Malaquite Beach.

A baby seat turtle release at Padre Island National Seashore on Malaquite Beach.

Courtesy Visit Corpus Christi

Padre Island is a haven for Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and 380 bird species. Birdwatching is best here in the spring and fall; look for the marsh-side bird blind. In the summer months, biologists release sea turtle hatchlings from Malaquite Beach. For details about attending a sea turtle release, call the Hatchling Hotline at 361-949-7163.

Bird Island Basin offers a boat ramp, RV camping and parking. Among America’s most popular places to windsurf, it’s also great for paddling, birdwatching and fishing. On the Grasslands Nature Trail, visitors can even glimpse animals from deer to ghost crabs.

The Padre Island National Seashore is a popular place for camping on the beach, which runs nearly 70 miles along the Gulf of Mexico in South Texas. 

The Padre Island National Seashore is a popular place for camping on the beach, which runs nearly 70 miles along the Gulf of Mexico in South Texas. 

Robin Soslow

The park entrance fee includes free RV and tent camping at the National Seashore’s northern boundary. There are nominal fees for camping at Malaquite Beach and Bird Island Basin.

Find it: 20301 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX 78418