Port Aransas, TX

Travel Guide
Port Aransas which includes cycling as well as a couple
The coastal Texas resort village of Port Aransas entices visitors with its outdoor activities as well as its interesting history and friendly atmosphere.

Port Aransas is a town on Mustang Island, a barrier island off the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. Because of its location, Port Aransas is a popular destination for outdoor activities, but the city also impresses with galleries and heritage sites.

The first inhabitants of Port Aransas were Karankawa Indians. In the early 1800s the area was frequented by pirates and buccaneers. To see and hear about the local folklore, visit Port Aransas Museum.

Walking or cycling around is easy since the town is flat and compact. Alternatively, travel on the cheap trolley that runs from Roberts Point Park and Marina to RV parks in the south.

Visit the 8-mile (13-kilometer) coastline of Port Aransas to enjoy the town’s beaches and rent equipment from one of the local shops. Beach buggies are a fun way to see the waterfront and you can explore Corpus Christi Bay on a Jet Ski or kayak. Book in for dolphin-spotting or deep-sea fishing trips departing from Fisherman’s Wharf.

View some of the 500 local bird species at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center. To see marine life, including seahorses, visit the University of Texas Marine Science Institute.

If you are traveling with children, be sure to visit Mustang Island State Park. The kids will love rolling down the large sand dunes here. Consider camping on the beach it’s a great way to see local wildlife, such as raccoons, opossums and gophers.

Find work by local artists at coastal galleries. Live music is a big part of the Port Aransas’ entertainment scene as well. Local and national bands perform every Friday and Saturday night at a local bar.

Access to the town is via the free Aransas Pass ferry crossing in the north or the John F. Kennedy Memorial Causeway in the south, connecting Mustang Island with Corpus Christi on the mainland.

Where to stay in Port Aransas

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Cinnamon Shore

Though Cinnamon Shore might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Mustang Island Beach and Palmilla Beach Golf Club.

Cinnamon Shore
Port Aransas featuring art and interior views as well as an individual femail

Old Town Port Aransas

4.5/5(153 area reviews)

While visiting Old Town Port Aransas, you might make a stop by sights like Port Aransas Birding Center and Port Aransas Museum.

Old Town Port Aransas
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Shibui Sands

Though Shibui Sands might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Port Aransas Beach and IB Magee Beach Park.

Shibui Sands
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Sand Point

Sand Point might not have many top sights, but Port Aransas Beach and Holiday Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Sand Point
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Island Moorings

While Island Moorings isn't home to many top sights, Holiday Beach and Palmilla Beach Golf Club are some notable places to visit nearby.

Island Moorings
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Leeward Sands

Though Leeward Sands might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Port Aransas Beach and Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.

Leeward Sands
Island Hotel Port Aransas
Island Hotel Port Aransas
2 out of 5
2607 St Highway 361, Port Aransas, TX
The price is ¥9,837 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
¥9,837
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Port Aransas. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
"Very clean , very helpful, breakfast was great , will definitely be staying here again later this summer"

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

Island Hotel Port Aransas
Seaside Boutique Hotel
Seaside Boutique Hotel
2 out of 5
841 Sandcastle Dr, Port Aransas, TX
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥11,529 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥11,529
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this beach hotel in Port Aransas. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Port Aransas Beach and Holiday Beach are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (159 reviews)
"LOVED IT HERE!!! Nancy and staff were amazing and welcoming!! ❤️❤️ definitely will be back."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Seaside Boutique Hotel
Ocean's Edge Hotel, Port Aransas,TX
Ocean's Edge Hotel, Port Aransas,TX
2 out of 5
300 W Avenue G, Port Aransas, TX
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥10,582 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥10,582
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this motel in Port Aransas. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Good breakfast. Place was really clean and we had no trouble with anyone else."

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2024

Ocean's Edge Hotel, Port Aransas,TX
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Beachgate Condosuites and Oceanfront Resort
Beachgate Condosuites and Oceanfront Resort
3.5 out of 5
2000 On The Beach Drive, Port Aransas, TX
Stay at this 3.5-star condo in Port Aransas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 1 bedroom. Popular attractions Port Aransas Beach and Holiday Beach are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (19 reviews)
"Close to the beach and clean."

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2024

Beachgate Condosuites and Oceanfront Resort
Executive Keys Condominiums on the Beach
Executive Keys Condominiums on the Beach
2 out of 5
820 Beach Access Road 1A, Port Aransas, TX
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Port Aransas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (476 reviews)
"Great place! Will definitely stay again"

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

Executive Keys Condominiums on the Beach
Port A townhome near the beach with pool, balcony & patio - snowbird-friendly
Port A townhome near the beach with pool, balcony & patio - snowbird-friendly
Port Aransas
Stay at this vacation home in Port Aransas. Enjoy a patio, a TV, and cable/satellite TV. Popular attractions Port Aransas Beach and Holiday Beach are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Thanksgiving getaway
"We spent the week of Thanksgiving in this property. Our only issues were minor. The unit is recently renovated, in good repair, and was very clean. As for our “issues”: The directions for the tvs were outdated. There weren’t remotes for all of the TVs, so we carried them room to room as needed. The ..."

Reviewed on Dec 5, 2023

Port A townhome near the beach with pool, balcony & patio - snowbird-friendly
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

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Reviews of Port Aransas

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
344
" "5 - Excellent 66.53771760154739%
4 - Good
157
" "4 - Good 30.36750483558994%
3 - Okay
13
" "3 - Okay 2.514506769825919%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 0.38684719535783363%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.19342359767891681%

5/5 - Excellent

Ryan
Jun 4, 2020

It’s one of the places we love in TX.

4/5 - Good

Andrea
May 29, 2020

Port Aransas is always a chill place to visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 27, 2020

Port A is my happy place

5/5 - Excellent

Amanda
May 21, 2020

Beach was very clean everyone kept their distance we found a lot of star fished washed up on the shore

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 20, 2020

Very nice place to stay for a couple of days!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 16, 2020

So nice to see some many place back up and open after the Hurricane. They have done a fantastic job at cleaning up the entire city.

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