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Once known for its pirates in the 18th century, Port Aransas is a small town on Mustang Island known for its great fishing, its 18 miles of long sandy beach and a large number of Texas beach resorts. It is the only town on Mustang Island, one of the longest Texas coast barrier islands. Its beach is famous for the SandFest, an annual sand castle building competition that turns into a large festival.

This sleepy small town swells to over 60,000 people during the spring break and summer, when the tourists come to swim, snorkel, fish, watch birds, hike the dunes, golf, bodysurf, play volleyball, surf, boogie board, and have a good time. Port Aransas Beach Map

Attend the sand castle building competition on Port Aransas Beach
© Courtesy of E Dan - Fotolia.com

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Discover the beauty of Boca Chica, South Padre Island Attend a festival on Galveston Island East Beach Stroll through the bird sanctuary at Rockport Beach Fish on the Horace Caldwell Pier at IB Magee Beach Take the kids to Magnolia Beach Enjoy great bird watching at Matagorda Bay Nature Park Take a day trip to Mustang Island Tour Padre Island National Seashore Attend the sand castle building competition on Port Aransas Beach Find colorful shells on High Island See the wildlife sanctuary on San Jose Island Relax on South Packery Channel Beach Go for a stroll on Surfside Beach See the large dunes on Whitecap Beach See the attractions near North Beach

Explore more: Texas > Beaches in Texas: Which Ones Are the Best?

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