Attractions

Enjoy Texas – Island Style!

Port Aransas is located on the northern tip of Mustang Island on the Texas Gulf Coast. Escape to a relaxing retreat on the Texas Gulf Coast where world-class fishing & boating, white sand beaches, spectacular bird watching, fascinating marine education opportunities, plus a full calendar of events, a thriving arts & culture scene, excellent shopping & restaurants, and more combine to create the ultimate getaway on the Gulf of Mexico coast!

The Islands & Area Beaches

Mustang Island

Image courtesy of tpwd.texas.gov

Mustang Island State Park is located on the south end of the island and offers five miles of beach along 3954 acres of natural beauty. Enjoy fishing, kayaking, swimming, hiking and mountain biking on 5 miles of open beach, sunbathing, surfing and excellent birding, especially during spring and fall migrations.

San Jose Island

video courtesy of Click2Houston.com

San Jose Island is privately owned. Historically a ranch, today the island is managed principally for wildlife. Access is permitted only on public land, meaning that you must stay on the beach below the mean high tide line. But that is exactly where a wealth of birding, shelling, fishing and beach combing can be found.

Padre Island National Seashore

Image courtesy of NPS.gov

Padre Island National Seashore separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Laguna Madre, one of a few hypersaline lagoons in the world. The park protects 66 miles of coastline, dunes, prairies, and wind tidal flats teeming with life.
It is a safe nesting ground for the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle and a haven for over 380 bird species. It also has a rich history, including the Spanish shipwrecks of 1554.

Annual Festivals

Port Aransas Live Music Festival

Image courtesy of Portaransas.org

Experience Port A’s live music scene at a whole new level when you attend the annual Port A Live Music Fest. All weekend long, you can enjoy bands that span genres and generations as they perform at one-of-a-kind venues throughout town. Bring your best dancing flip-flops and singing voices, because there is something for everyone at Port A Live Music Fest!

Texas SandFest

Image courtesy of Texassandfest.org

What began as a small local competition in 1997 has grown into one of the largest master sand sculpting contests in the United States hits the beach in Port Aransas for this annual event.
This three-day family event that draws renowned sand sculptors and tens of thousands of visitors from around the world each year to Port Aransas.

Texas Legends Billfish Tournament

Image courtesy of txlegends.com

In 2006, the tournament was moved to Port Aransas, Texas and John and Bobby changed the name to the Texas Legends Billfish Tournament. They made this decision to not only honor Bob Byrd Sr., but to dedicate the tournament to all Texas Fishermen, past and present, who have made a difference in Big Game Fishing.
The tournament not only pioneered the concept of video release, but also allowed tournament contestants to leave from any Texas port, something that no other tournaments allowed at that time. In addition, the tournament permitted boats to leave the dock anytime after 5 pm on Thursday

Whooping Crane Festival

Image courtesy of Texassandfest.org

Each year since 1996, the Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas, Texas has celebrated the annual return of the cranes to their wintering habitat at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. In 2022, the festival is back and ready to celebrate it’s 25th anniversary!

The four-day event will feature renowned speakers, birding trips, boating trips, nature tours, photography workshops, a trade show, and much more.

Fishing & Boating

Port Aransas fishing is widely considered the best on the Texas Gulf Coast. Whether you charter a boat, dock your own at one of the marinas, or just cast a line from a dock or the shore, you’ll enjoy unparalleled fishing adventures on the jetties, bays, channels, and the Gulf of Mexico itself. Species include black drum, flounder, king mackerel, kingfish, marlin, red drum/redfish, sailfish, sheep head, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, tarpon, tuna, and more.

Restaurants and Local Food Favorites

Whatever your taste buds crave, there’s a restaurant to satisfy all within a mile radius! Fast food, major chains, and specialty cuisine can all be found just around the corner.

Not a fan of going out? Have it delivered by any major food delivery service! Check out all the Port Aransas, Texas Restaurants close by Island RV Resort!

Chapel

Chapel on the Dunes

Image courtesy of chapelonthedunes.org

High on a sand dune overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in Port Aransas, there is a little white Chapel, the oldest functional consecrated church on the Island. Known locally as the Chapel on the Dunes, it was built between 1937 and 1938 by Aline B. Carter. This historical church is one of the Eight Wonders of Port Aransas and is the site for many small weddings, memorial services, and baptisms.

Nature & Wildlife

Birdwatching

Port Aransas, known as the “Nest of Texas,” offers an abundance of both birds (one of the highest on the Texas Gulf Coast) and birding sites, which include Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond, the Leona Belle Turnbull Birding Center, the Port Aransas Jetty, the Port Aransas Wetlands Park, the UTMSI Wetlands Education Center, and many more. Enjoy an intimate view of hundreds of permanent and migrating species in their native and wintering habitats.

Shopping & Activities

Shopping & Activities!

Here on Mustang Island casual attire is a must, so, with the space you save packing for your RV trip, you’ll have plenty of room to put all those goodies and items you pick up while shopping! View our local event calendar for year-round activities for you and your family!

Aransas Pass Aquatic Center

Bring the family to our 50,000 gallon freshwater Aransas Pass Aquatic Center! Thrilling water slides, diving boards, jungle net and three pools for all ages! The Aquatic Center hosts swim lessons, aqua aerobics, fitness swim, lap swim, family swim and is only a short drive from our RV park.

Port Aransas Marine Education Services

The University of Texas at Austin Marine Research Institute promotes interest in marine science through educational programs for the general public. The Visitors Center offers educational movies, self guided tours, seven aquaria displaying typical Texas coast habitats, and more.

Corpus Christi, Texas

Located across the bay on the Texas coast mainland is Corpus Christi, which is home to a variety of world class attractions, activities and entertainment. Recreation abounds with all of the fishing, golfing, horseback riding, sailing, cruises and tennis opportunities. Enjoy a thriving dining & nightlife scene. Be entertained by the full calendar of events. Experience the “Texas Tropical Culture” of Corpus Christi’s performing arts & theatre. The variety of shopping caters to all tastes.