Port A Beach — Attraction in Port Aransas

(Keep in mind that this review is based on a beach that is on the Gulf in Texas, where pretty beaches like the ones on the east and west coast are nonexistent)

This beach was very clean and pretty, and is definitely a "hidden" paradise! You have to pay $12 for a parking permit that you can get from the city, or any gas station near by and they're good for the whole year. Definitely can get crowded but there is plenty of beach for everyone! The beach is driveable to pretty much any vehicle whether you're in a car, 2x4 truck, 4x4 or golf cart, and the odds of getting stuck are slim to none as long as you're smart and not trying to drive on the dry sand. There was still trash on the beach but they do clean and rake often; unfortunately you're not going to find a 100% clean beach because people are people, however the city of Port Aransas does keep it clean. They also have several portapotty areas nearby so you don't have to travel too far for a bathroom break. Oh, and to the reviews that say that there are no shells on the beach were obviously not looking hard at all, because...

Beautiful soft white sand beach, but not maintained well. There was trash, tree branches, large sticks, plastics, broken glass, and all kinds of things up and down the beach. There's also oil in the water. We ended up with several oil stains on our skin and on our swim wear. Definitely needed to wear shoes. It's completely open without restrictions. People swimming and fishing and dogs all in the same area. Tons and tons of jelly fish all around. It is very windy. Happy they have life Guards on duty during the day. They do have porta potties all around, but the showers are few and far between. Make sure to buy the beach permit at grocery store or convenient store before driving on the beach (like $12 for rest of the year.) lots of small sea shells if you can find them through all the trash. Overall it was an okay experience. I wish they had rules against. Glass and kept it more clean. Maybe even designated swimming and fishing areas would be nice. I was worried about hooks and glass getting in our feet. Not great for little kids unless you have some tough...

Port A Beach is hands down one of the best beach experiences! The highlight is being able to drive right onto the sand, making it super convenient to set up for the day without hauling gear a long distance. The entry fee is an amazing deal—only $12 for the entire year, and you can pick up your tag easily at the nearby Stripes. It’s such a great value for regular beachgoers!

The beach itself is impressively clean and well-maintained, with visible efforts to keep the area family-friendly and welcoming. Lifeguards are on duty, which added peace of mind, especially with kids in tow. We were impressed by the attention to safety and cleanliness across the entire beach. 💖

We loved how shallow the water stays. Past a short 5-foot area, there’s a little raised sandbar, creating a calm 4-foot swimmable area that’s perfect for families and kids. It’s ideal for relaxing or letting the little ones play safely. Port A Beach really offers a fantastic, family-friendly day by...