South Padre Island

“This beachfront island is a small town nestled around a lively variety of offerings for family vacations, spring break, honeymoons, and everything in between,” says Wendy Knight, CEO at Sea Turtle, Inc., an organization on South Padre Island. If you want to avoid the larger, livelier spring break crowds, avoid the month of March, but otherwise, this is a peaceful, pedestrian-friendly town and one of the few places in the world where critically endangered sea turtles nest. Knight says you can be “in a beach chair with your vacation beverage of choice when a sea turtle crawls out of the ocean and lays more than 100 eggs right next to you.”

Gaido also recommends South Padre Island, noting that travelers should “take the opportunity to take a sandcastle lesson, ride horses on the beach, book a fishing trip, explore [with] The Original Dolphin Watch, or spend the day at the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary.”

Galveston

According to Gaido, you get a little bit of everything in Galveston, making it the ideal destination for travelers of all ages and groups with varying interests. “The vast array of historical museums, culture, and arts provides something for all visitors, not necessarily only beachgoers,” she says. She suggests visitors “take advantage of the island’s incredible on and offshore fishing opportunities, birding locations, and year-round festivals, including the Galveston Island Shrimp Fest, ARToberFEST, and AIA Sandcastle Competition.” If you’re hoping for plenty of beach time, though, you won’t be disappointed. Galveston Island (the barrier island where the city of Galveston is located) boasts 32 miles of sandy shoreline.

Port Aransas

If you’re the type of traveler who likes to stay busy while on vacation, Port Aransas, the only town on Mustang Island, might just be the spot for you. According to Garcia, “Port Aransas has something for everyone… There are plenty of opportunities for beach combing, dolphin watching, and skydiving, [and] there are also great parks, public pools, and the historic Chapel on the Dunes.” While there, Gaido notes that visitors should check out the Nature Preserve, Mustang Island State Park, and the University of Texas Marine Science Institute — or, she says, you can also use Port Aransas as a base camp “while you venture out to visit neighboring Corpus Christi and Rockport.”

North Padre Island

Garcia shares that travelers who want to “enjoy the beach without the crowds” should journey to North Padre Island. “North Padre Island, specifically the national seashore, is an impressive run of beach that goes on for miles and miles — with fishing, beach combing, and lots of beachfront activities with minimal people,” he says. Plus, it’s under a 40-minute drive away from both Corpus Christi and Port Aransas, making it the perfect day trip if you’re exploring either of those locations.

Jamaica Beach

To get acquainted with the 0.8-square-mile Jamaica Beach, you’ll need to make your way to Galveston Island. Here, you’ll be able to embrace the true meaning of “island time.” Park yourself on the pristine shoreline — preferably armed with water, sunscreen, and a good book — and soak up all the relaxation you can find. Rentals are the recommended accommodation on Jamaica Beach, and a number of them are located on the beach town’s canals, which are public thoroughfares that can be used for boating, fishing, or swimming. Come dinnertime, seafood is most certainly on the menu at Shrimp ‘N Stuff Food Truck, and a cold drink at Spoony & Billy’s Daiquiris to Go will cool you off after a long day in the sun.

Rockport

Garcia describes Rockport as a beach destination that’s “laid-back” and “a little slower than its neighboring towns.” He suggests putting fishing, shopping, and art galleries on your itinerary, but you may also want to save room in your schedule for the Texas Maritime Museum, the Fulton Mansion, and, of course, Rockport Beach. The mile-long sandy beach is family- and pet-friendly, and it earned the title of Texas’ first Blue Wave Beach, which identifies it as a place that’s “litter-free, managed responsibly, and handicap-accessible.”

Port Isabel

 “Port Isabel, nestled on the South Texas shoreline, provides views of the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre all in one historical small town,” says Knight. You can’t miss the Port Isabel Lighthouse, which, she says, “sits grandly in the center of town amid vintage shops, distilleries, and cafés.” Downtown Port Isabel is also where you’ll find world-class pier fishing, fishing charters, dolphin watches, museums, and an impressive number of restaurants. South Padre Island is just a short drive away, and Knight shares that you can get the “best of both worlds” — a walkable small town and beautiful beaches — if you manage to tackle both during your vacation.

Surfside Beach

As its name suggests, Surfside Beach — or just “Surfside” — is a surfer’s dream come true, as it’s known to have decent, fairly consistent waves. Travelers who aren’t totally ready to hop on a board will still have plenty to do in this beach town. Bring your bait and string to the Surfside Crabbing Pier, kayak along the Intracoastal Waterway, go shell hunting on the beach, or charter a boat for off-shore fishing. The options are endless when you’re in Surfside, and there’s a very high chance you’ll want to extend your vacation — or at least come back several more times.

Boca Chica Beach

It may not technically be a town, but Boca Chica Beach (located in Boca Chica State Park) is one of Knight’s favorite South Texas oceanfront destinations — and for good reason. “Boca Chica Beach provides an isolated adventure with amazing views of the SpaceX rocket in the background,” she says. Spread out over 1,055 acres, this is a place where you can get in all the swimming, camping, birding, surfing, and fishing you want. And if you’re craving a bit more fun? Knight suggests a trip into historic downtown Brownsville for shopping and nightlife.