Port Aransas Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Bureau
Photo provided by Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Bureau
Photo provided by Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Bureau
Photo provided by Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Bureau
Photo provided by Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Bureau

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-kilometre) 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 Centre. To see marine life, including seahorses, visit the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. If you are travelling 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

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

Cinnamon Shore
Port Aransas which includes art and interior views as well as an individual female

Old Town Port Aransas

5/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Old Town Port Aransas, Port Aransas Birding Center and Port Aransas Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Old Town Port Aransas
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Shibui Sands

Though Shibui Sands may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like IB Magee Beach Park and Horace Caldwell Pier.

Shibui Sands
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Sand Point

Though Sand Point may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Holiday Beach and Horace Caldwell Pier.

Sand Point
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Harbor District

If you're spending some time in Harbor District, Roberts Point Park and Fisherman's Wharf are top sights worth seeing.

Harbor District
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Island Moorings

Island Moorings might not have many top sights, but Palmilla Beach Golf Club and Holiday Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Island Moorings
Hotel Lydia

Hotel Lydia

2.5 out of 5
445 W Cotter Avenue, Port Aransas, TX
The price is ฿1,894 per night from 26 Nov to 27 Nov
฿1,894
฿2,140 total
26 Nov - 27 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Port Aransas. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,010 reviews)
Usually an excellent stay, this time….kinda
Have stayed here for years and this was the first time we were not as happy. The hallways and the carpet just did not look very clean. Our rooms were clean, but it smelled. The minute you walked in the lobby it smelled musty. And then when you walk into your room, it smelled even more musty. When ...

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2025

Hotel Lydia
Ocean's Edge Hotel, Port Aransas,TX

Ocean's Edge Hotel, Port Aransas,TX

3 out of 5
300 W Avenue G, Port Aransas, TX
The price is ฿2,163 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
฿2,163
฿2,444 total
3 Nov - 4 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star motel in Port Aransas. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,210 reviews)
Clean room, friendly staff. Right down the road from the beach and walking distance from great food and shops.

Reviewed on 23 Oct 2025

Ocean's Edge Hotel, Port Aransas,TX
Seaside Boutique Hotel

Seaside Boutique Hotel

2 out of 5
841 Sandcastle Dr, Port Aransas, TX
Stay at this beach hotel in Port Aransas. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (983 reviews)
Good place to stay 1 minute walk to beach

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2025

Seaside Boutique Hotel
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.
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (518 reviews)
View was perfect

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

Executive Keys Condominiums on the Beach
Port Royal Ocean Resort & Conference Center

Port Royal Ocean Resort & Conference Center

3.5 out of 5
6317 State Hwy 361, Port Aransas, TX
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Port Aransas. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Mustang Island Beach and Palmilla ...
7.8/10 Good! (270 reviews)
The pools were nice but our room was not very clean. There were roaches and other bugs. We were told they would come spray for bugs and never did. The property was also under construction and there was a lot of construction noises. I did not realize this when I booked and was only informed when it ...

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

Port Royal Ocean Resort & Conference Center
Sunrise Villas Condos

Sunrise Villas Condos

4 out of 5
892 Banyan Beach Drive, Port Aransas, TX
Stay at this 4-star golf condo in Port Aransas. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and patios. Popular attractions Port Aransas Beach and Holiday Beach are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (22 reviews)
It was very spacious , clean, short walk to the beach! Loved it! Will be back

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Sunrise Villas Condos
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

Things to do

Reviews of Port Aransas

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Top destination
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