Plan a getaway to the Gulf
Wide drive-on beaches, redfish flats, a real aquarium, and the freshest seafood in Texas — all within reach of one breezy long weekend.
Pick your sand
The options run from park-beside-your-towel easy to four-wheel-drive wild. Match the beach to the day you want.
Whitecap Beach
Drive-onThe main North Padre beach off Whitecap Blvd — wide, drive-on sand with restrooms, easy access, and lifeguards in season.
Easy & social
Bob Hall Pier / Whitecap
Drive-onRebuilt after Hurricane Hanna and reopened in February 2026, this Gulf fishing pier anchors the most reliable surf break in town — its new pier-top restaurant is finishing construction and expected to open later in 2026.
Surf & fish
Malaquite Beach
No vehiclesThe vehicle-free heart of Padre Island National Seashore, with a visitor center, boardwalk, and summer turtle releases — no lifeguards, so swim smart.
Wild & protected
South Beach (PINS)
Drive-onSixty miles of remote seashore past Malaquite — regular cars manage the first five miles, then it's 4WD-only. Air down, drive for miles, and have the Gulf to yourself.
Remote & rugged
Mustang Island State Park
No vehiclesFive miles of dune-backed shoreline north of the Island with a paddling trail through the Corpus Christi Bay seagrass.
Outdoorsy
Port Aransas Beach
Drive-onAcross the channel in 'Port A' — a classic golf-cart beach town with a buzzy main drag, charters, and the Horace Caldwell Pier.
Beach-town fun
Beyond the beach
Rainy day, restless kids, or just curious? These are the landmarks worth working into any trip.
Texas State Aquarium
Family · North Beach
The largest aquarium in Texas — Caribbean Journey, a wildlife rescue center, sharks, rescued dolphins, and the new Ocean Odyssey kids' center (2026) on North Beach.
Official siteUSS Lexington Museum
History · North Beach
Tour the flight deck, bridge, and hangar of 'The Blue Ghost,' a WWII aircraft carrier permanently moored in the bay.
Official siteMirador de la Flor
Culture · Downtown Bayfront
The bayfront memorial overlook honoring Selena Quintanilla, the Queen of Tejano and Corpus Christi's beloved hometown star.
Padre Island National Seashore
Nature · South of JFK Causeway
70 miles of protected barrier island — beach driving, camping, windsurfing at Bird Island Basin, and sea turtle releases.
Official siteCorpus Christi Bayfront & Marina
Outdoors · Downtown
A breezy seawall and marina downtown with sailing, the Water Street dining district, and people-watching at sunset.
Mustang Island State Park
Nature · Mustang Island
Dunes, a paddling trail, and quieter sand between the Island and Port Aransas — great for camping and birding.
Official siteLeonabelle Turnbull Birding Center
Wildlife · Port Aransas
A boardwalk over Port Aransas wetlands where alligators, spoonbills, and herons put on a show from the rail.
Official siteSouth Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
Family · Southside
182 acres of gardens, a butterfly house, orchid conservatory, and wetland boardwalks — with resident parrots and reptiles to keep kids busy off the sand.
Official siteWant the full activity rundown — fishing charters, birding, surf, and more? See Things to Do →
Come hungry
The Coastal Bend runs on Gulf seafood and Tex-Mex. Skip the chains and eat like a local.
Gulf Seafood Shacks
Fried shrimp baskets, oysters, and fresh catch with your feet near the water. Casual, salty, and the real reason to visit.
Snoopy's Pier, Scotty's, Doc's, Black Marlin
Tex-Mex & Taquerias
Breakfast tacos are a food group here. Carne guisada, barbacoa on Sundays, and enchiladas the way they're meant to be.
Local taquerias all over town
Bayfront & Water Street
Downtown's dining district pairs oyster bars and patios with marina views — the spot for a nice dinner out.
Water Street Oyster Bar & neighbors
Coffee, Coastal & Sweet
Beach-town coffee roasters, paleta carts, and Whataburger pride — the orange-and-white W was founded right here in Corpus Christi in 1950.
Local roasters + the orange-and-white W
From boat dock to beach tent
Match the lodging to the trip: a kitchen and a golf cart, a walk-to-the-sand hotel, or a tent past the dunes.
Beach houses & rentals
Canal-front and Gulf-view rentals on the Island and in Port A — best for families, groups, and anyone who wants a kitchen and a golf cart.
Resorts & hotels
Beachfront resorts on North Padre, bayfront hotels downtown, and reliable chains along SPID for an easy, walk-to-sand stay.
Camping & RV
Primitive beach camping in the National Seashore, RV parks on Mustang Island, and state-park sites for the full coastal-outdoors experience.
48 sandy hours, mapped out
A flexible template you can stretch to a week. Adjust for tides, weather, and how late you slept.
Arrive & exhale
- Drop bags, then drive straight onto Whitecap Beach for a sunset walk
- Casual seafood basket at a Gulf-side shack
- Stroll the Packery Channel jetties as the lights come on
Wild island day
- Sunrise at Malaquite Beach in the National Seashore
- Windsurf or kayak at Bird Island Basin
- Air down and drive South Beach, or hunt shells after lunch
- Tacos and live music back in town
City & culture
- Texas State Aquarium or the USS Lexington on North Beach
- Pay respects at the Mirador de la Flor (Selena memorial)
- Bayfront brunch on Water Street before heading home
Know before you go
Sun & breeze
It's sunnier and windier than you expect. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a windbreaker go a long way.
Beach permits
Some beaches require a cheap annual parking permit. Pick one up at local stores or the park gate.
4WD on South Beach
Past Malaquite the sand goes soft. Air down your tires, bring water, and don't go out alone.
Fishing license
A Texas saltwater license is required to fish. Charters often cover it — ask when you book.
Still have questions about permits, swimming, or bringing the dog?
Read the visitor FAQ