Texas, sometimes known as the Lone Star State, is the second-largest state in the United States.
Texas beaches are not as famous as beaches in Hawaii or California, but they are equally stunning and attractive, with plenty of exciting activities to offer visitors.
This state’s shorelines are family-oriented, intending to make vacations with your loved ones as convenient and fun as possible.
Fishing, surfing, and snorkeling are just a few activities on Texas’ coasts.
So collect your loved ones and pack your bags because after you discover the best family beaches in Texas, you’ll be rushing to plan your next fantastic family adventure.
South Padre Island Beach — South Padre Island
Padre Island Beach is the world’s longest undeveloped barrier island stretch.
It has roughly 70 miles of shoreline, and various access spots, dunes, and prairies.
South Padre Island Beach is one of the coastlines included in the Padre Island Beaches.
Why We Recommend This Beach
South Padre Island Beach is a family-friendly beach with plenty of activities for your children.
Making sandcastles, getting up close and personal with hundreds of sea turtles, observing rare birds, and wandering along the beach to collect shells are among the activities available.
When looking for a location to stay, South Padre Island Beach is close to The Pearl South Padre, one of Texas’ best family resorts.
Expert Tip
If you’re planning a family vacation to South Padre Island Beach, you should check out Breakaway Cruises. It offers family-friendly activities, including dolphin watching, eco-tours, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and bay fishing.
Stewart Beach — Galveston
This prime beach has a variety of amenities to make your family trip more convenient.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Stewart Beach is one of Texas’ most beautiful family-friendly beaches.
It has sandy volleyball courts for a fun family competition, concessions selling great snacks and drinks, a playground for your kids to play on, and easily accessible restrooms and showers.
This coastline also has relatively shallow water, gentle waves, and observant lifeguards, making it a good choice for a family vacation.
When swimming in the clear water, keep an eye out for passing pods of dolphins that frequent the region.
Expert Tip
On days when the sun is scorching, and the heat is too much, you can rent beach loungers and a beach umbrella for a fee.
This will allow for a more serene day on the beach as you lie under the shade and relax.
Rockport Beach — Rockport
Rockport Beach is Texas’ first Blue Wave Beach, with crystal blue water and magnificent vistas of Aransas Bay.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Because it lacks large waves and strong undertows, Rockport Beach is the safest beach in Texas and one of the top toddler-friendly beaches in the state.
The seas are quiet, clear, and shallow, and the shoreline is well-kept and clean.
Teach your children how to swim in the clear waters of Rockport Beach, build sculptures and castles out of the powdery sand, and watch them have joy at the on-site playground.
Expert Tip
For family gatherings such as weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays, you can book a seaside pavilion with its restroom and seating for up to 85 people.
Mustang Island State Park Beach — Corpus Christi
Mustang Island State Park Beach, located on the Gulf of Mexico’s coast, is a scenic beach with an extensive beachfront.
Why We Recommend This Beach
If you’re searching for a calm and private beach, I highly recommend visiting this beach on your next family vacation.
Mustang Island State Park Beach is the ideal place to escape the busy metropolitan life.
While you relax on the beach and work on your tan, your teenagers can enjoy fun water sports like surfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, paddling, or playing beach volleyball.
Beach amenities include parking places for easy access to and from your car, bathrooms, and showers positioned conveniently, so you can find them quickly when needed. Also, a variety of eateries are only a 10-minute drive away if you don’t feel like making packed meals.
Expert Tip
There are no lifeguards on duty at this beach, so watch your children while they swim.
Wear your children flotation devices as an added precaution.
Boca Chica Beach — Brownsville
Boca Chica Beach, an 8-mile stretch of shoreline, has some of the most magnificent coastal vistas and is ideal for water activity.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Family trips in Texas aren’t complete until you visit Boca Chica Beach and enjoy the endless water activities.
Fishing, surfing, snorkeling, kiteboarding, and surf fishing are popular activities on this beach.
Boca Chica Beach is also a great place to see wildlife since Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the most severely endangered sea turtle, come to nest on the coastlines during the spring and summer.
There will also be many birds to watch, including hawks, falcons, and osprey.
Expert Tip
Pack everything you’ll need for your trip, like food and drinks, swimming gear, and equipment like snorkeling masks and surfboards.
Boca Chica Beach is a beautiful holiday destination having few amenities and services.
Lighthouse Beach — Port Lavaca
This coastline is a popular beach location for both locals and visitors.
It is especially appealing to families with children.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Lighthouse Beach is one of Texas’ best beaches for kids since it has shallow water, calm waves, and few or no pebbles or small rocks that could damage their feet.
The beach also has a playground and splash pads for children entertainment.
You can extend your trip by staying the night and pitching a tent here.
The gorgeous stars overhead will wow you and your loved ones at night.
Expert Tip
If you do not feel like packing a picnic, Lighthouse Beach is close to many eateries serving the best local cuisine, such as the Texas Traditions Grill and Bar.
East Beach — Galveston
East Beach, one of the state’s most popular and iconic beaches, is the top summer destination.
R.A. Apffel Beach is another name for it.
Why We Recommend This Beach
East Beach is an excellent choice for weekend family trips in Texas.
Spend your holiday with your loved ones by strolling down the seaside promenade, lounging on beach chairs under an umbrella, or creating sand sculptures with your children.
East Beach also has friendly lifeguards patrolling the area, a playground for your children if they don’t want to swim in the cold seas, and multiple concession stands selling excellent food, snacks, and drinks that your family will enjoy.
Expert Tip
The best time to visit East Beach is throughout the summer.
During this season, there are live performances at the on-site entertainment stage and the annual Sandcastle Competition, where you can view beautiful sand structures of various kinds and sizes.
Sea Rim State Park Beach — Sabine Pass
The beach at Sea Rim State Park has nearly 5 miles of shoreline and is where the Gulf of Mexico meets the marshes.
Why We Recommend This Beach
You and your loved ones can enjoy many activities at Sea Rim State Park Beach, including renting fishing equipment and sitting by the boat ramp to catch fish, hiring horses for horseback riding along the coastline, or kayaking or canoeing in the waters.
You can also spend the day sitting on the beach, sunbathing, and relaxing while listening to the sounds of nature.
Take a walk with your tribe while looking for unusual shells and keeping an eye for exotic birds flying by.
Expert Tip
Take the time to explore the marsh to experience the fauna fully.
You can opt for a peaceful hike or rent a kayak and paddle along the rivers.
Crystal Beach — Bolivar Peninsula
This peaceful beach has golden sand and stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Spend the day with your tribe at Crystal Beach, Texas, for one of the best family beach vacations.
Bring a ball and play catch on the beach, build lovely sandcastles with your children, decorate them with shells, and swim in the waves.
If you want to get out on the ocean, you can try surfing, kayaking, or boogie boarding.
There are no lifeguards nearby, so make sure that no one in your family goes too far into the sea.
Expert Tip
Be careful to cover your food, and don’t leave it out for too long because Crystal Beach has many seagulls that will cheerfully swoop in and enjoy the free nibbles.
Matagorda Beach — Matagorda
Matagorda Beach is a Texas hidden gem.
Its scenic shorelines are not overrun with tourists, providing visitors with a calm respite from city life.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Life can be stressful at times, so you might want to spend your vacation time with your loved ones at a quiet beach where you won’t be troubled by the commotion of other beachgoers.
Matagorda Beach is the best alternative for you.
Matagorda Beach is one of the best family beaches in Texas, and it’s the ideal place to spend time with your family and make memories as you teach your kids how to fish, go beachcombing, and take tonnes of pictures by the gorgeous pier.
You can also take your family for a drive along the shorelines.
But first, you must obtain a permit.
Expert Tip
Although the pier is beautiful and scenic, it is not a good place to swim.
The currents in this location are substantially strong.
