20 Beautiful and Secluded Texas Beaches Worth a Weekend Road Trip

By San Antonio Current Staff and Alisa Pierce

        
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We all understand the struggle of wanting to travel but not wanting to get stuck in a tourist trap or brave the masses. Thankfully, Texas is full of quiet, lesser-known beaches that are in need of some love. Check out these hidden sandy destinations perfect for more reserved travelers.

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Malaquite Beach
Park Rd 22, Corpus Christi, nps.gov
Raw, hidden beauty can be found on the white shores of Malaquite Beach. Vehicle traffic is prohibited on the shores, so kids are free to run around without worrying their parents. Events such as turtle releases and evening constellation viewings are held throughout the year as well, giving visitors a plethora of activities to choose from.
Photo via Instagram / demornayharper

Jamaica Beach
Galveston Island, ci.jamaicabeach.tx
Despite its name, this tiny town can be found about a half mile south of Galveston. While the beaches of the area manages to avoid the hustle and bustle of the seaside city, its clean sand and quiet atmosphere attract locals and those lucky enough to be in-the-know.
Photo via Instagram / anutbond

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Lower Rio Grande Valley, fws.gov
This National Wildlife Refuge serves as a sanctuary for animals and people. While the wildlife take shelter among the wetland and prairies, humans can enjoy kayaking, nature hikes and fishing.
Photo via Facebook / Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

Surfside Beach
Bluewater Hwy, Surfside Beach, surfsidetx.org
Surfside Beach is a cozy town about sixty miles south of Houston, between the Intercoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico. While the neighboring city of Galveston attracts most of the tourists, Surfside maintains a pretty low-key environment without too many visitors.
Photo via Instagram / twins1708

San Jose Island
San Jose Island, Aransas County, sanjoseislandtexas.org
San Jose is just a short ferry ride away from Port Aransas, providing Texans a quieter alternative to Galveston Island. The island was once a ranch, but is now a wildlife sanctuary and beach-lovers dream.
Photo via Instagram / texashighways

Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island, nps.gov
As the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world, this beautiful stretch of land is a protected nesting ground for the Kemp’s Ridley and home to over 380 bird species. Hike the scenic Grasslands Nature Trail to experience the full beauty of the park.
Photo via Instagram / padreislandnps

High Island
Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston County, houstonaudubon.org
High Island’s beaches stretch from Texas to Louisiana, giving East Texans hundreds of miles of secluded coastline to enjoy. Coarse sand peppered with colorful shells lie undisturbed as spring breakers and summer visitors head to better-known areas. Four nearby bird sanctuaries offer migrating herons a rest while allowing visitors to take a break from the water to view the wildlife.
Photo via Instagram / Johnny.mauldin

McFaddin Beach
Jefferson County, texasbeyondhistory.net
Extending 32-kilometers from High Island to Sea Rim State Park, McFaddin Beach offers visitors a stretch of quiet land to roam in while searching for fossils or artifacts.
Photo via Instagram / blake_mulherin

Magnolia Beach
Waterfront of Lavaca Bay, Calhoun County, facebook.com
On the coast of Lavaca Bay Texans can find a tranquil beach town ready for visitors with picnic tables, playgrounds and volleyball courts.
Photo via Instagram / ig.mybeautifultexas

Matagorda Island
Matagorda Island, Calhoun County, tpwd.texas.gov
Matagorda Island has remained an untouched paradise for decades. The island’s century old lighthouse still stands nearby, shining a ray of light on boaters looking for its untouched shores brimming with sand dollars.
Photo via Instagram / gibsonnotguitar

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Lighthouse Beach
700 Lighthouse Beach Rd, Port Lavaca, traveltexas.com
Near Port Lavaca, Lighthouse Beach gives families a perfect spot to enjoy the summer sun. Kids can look for crabs along the rockwall or enjoy a small playground while parents relax under the shade of palm tree umbrellas. The island is enjoying its first summer after recovering from the impact of Harvey, so vacationers are a breath of fresh air for the area.
Photo via Instagram / annieburkus95

Crystal Beach
Bolivar Peninsula, crystalbeach.com
Crystal Beach is a Southeast Texas getaway known for its campsites and fishing opportunities. Daytrippers can often be found playing volleyball on its sandy shores while fisherman cast their reels in the surf or take advantage of Rollover Fish Pass.
Photo via Instagram / amandakwaltman

Bird Island Basin
Bird Island Basin Rd, Corpus Christi, nps.gov
Bird Island Basin is ranked as one of the best windsurfing spots in the country, but that hasn't ruined its untouched beauty. The basin continues to stay a well-kept secret among Texans while its windy waters entice surfers.
Photo via Instagram / malic.poole

Rockport Beach
210 Seabreeze Dr., Rockport, rockportbeach-texas.com/
As Texas’ first bluewave beach, Rockport’s water quality is monitored by the EPA and administered by the Texas General Land Office. Because of this, Rockport is one of Texas’ cleanest beaches.
Photo via Instagram / karlyy.anne

Galveston Island State Park
Western Galveston Island, tpwd.texas.gov
Galveston Island State Park has both beach and bay areas where coast lovers can enjoy hiking, picnicking, camping and mountain biking. The park’s proximity to the historic city of Galveston gives visitors a chance to delve into local restaurants and sites while avoiding tourists.
Photo via Instagram / jannalovey

Boca Chica
Brownsville, tpwd.texas.gov
Boca Chica is one of the only Texas beaches to completely avoid urban development, a feat that has left its shores clean and nature preserved. The beach’s quiet stretch of coastline allows visitors to snorkel, swim or kiteboard without interruptions.
Photo via Instagram / theactivelistener

Loyola Beach
Near Kingsville, Kleberg County, texasescapes.com
The rock formations of Loyola Beach offer perfect hiding spots for trout, red drum and flounder, but unfortunately for them it also makes the area a great place for fishermen to test out their skills.
Photo via Instagram / zachpearson92

South Packery Channel Beach
14218 S Padre Island Dr., Corpus Christi, visitcorpuschristitx.org
Also known as South Packery Jetty, this serene escape allows visitors to surf, fish and snorkel. The beach serves as a dividing line between Mustang Island and Padre Island, so the area is truly surrounded by beauty.
Photo via Instagram / karen_0314

Sea Rim State Park
Southern Jefferson County, tpwd.texas.gov
The Gulf truly meets the marsh at this state park. 4,000 acres of marshland hug Sea Rim’s miles of Gulf shoreline, giving the area a unique twist on the beach formula.
Photo via Instagram / backroads72

Mustang Island State Park
South of Port Aransas, tpwd.texas.gov
This 5-mile long park’s charm comes from its striking beaches and fantastic fishing spots. Fun fact: the island gets its name from the groups of mustang horses that could once be found roaming the sandy beaches of the island.
Photo via Instagram / texastourism

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