Things to do in Mustang Island, Texas Gulf Coast: The Best Nature & Parks

March 14, 2022 Vivienne Hutton

Discover the best top things to do in Mustang Island, United States including Port Aransas Beach, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, Glenn's Fish Camp, Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture, Roberts Point Park, Mustang Island State Park, Lighthouse Lakes Trail, San Jose Island, Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond.
Restaurants in Mustang Island

1. Port Aransas Beach

Port Aransas, TX 78373
Excellent
56%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,064 reviews

Port Aransas Beach

Public beach on Port Aransas that is clean, has a lifeguard and has car-free locations.

Reviewed By MichelleGarcia84

No vehicle traffic sucks when it comes to bringing stuff to set up at the beach, but nothing a wagon can’t fix, the trade off has been no vehicle traffic, and no cars all over the beach! This is so nice and I wish Port A would keep this rule even after Covid, maybe year down a condo and build a parking lot lol Anyway, clean beach, warm water, bathrooms and rinse stations, trash cans available, watch out for jelly fish and sting rays, plenty of sea shells, various crabs to look for if you enjoy that sort of thing. Sand is perfect for sand castles! Pretty sunsets too!

2. The University of Texas Marine Science Institute

750 Channelview Dr, Port Aransas, TX 78373-5015 +1 361-749-6729 http://www.utmsi.utexas.edu/
Excellent
48%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 196 reviews

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute

Free admission to see tanks displaying sea horses, eels, oysters, fish and other marine life.

Reviewed By beachboywantabe - Corpus Christi, United States

We did not go inside because it was not open when we were there. But the main reason for our stop was to see Kent Ullberg’s sculpture “Interdependency”. At first glance you just see a tarpon, impressive enough. The tarpon is the symbol for the town of Port Arkansas. But look closer and you will see within the body of the tarpon a variety of different marine life. There are several other fish, several birds, a sand dollar and a crab. The habitats of all are interdependent, and the life of one species depends upon the other. Thus the sculpture is named “Interdependency.” If you go to the Corpus Christi bayfront you can find several of Ullberg’s sculptures, as well as In Rockport

3. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center

Ross Avenue, Port Aransas, TX 78373-4128 +1 361-749-4111 http://www.cityofportaransas.org/Leonabelle_Turnbull_Birding_Center.cfm
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 492 reviews

Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center

Reviewed By rnprofessr - Harper, United States

So much better than last year Ramos boardwalks and gazebo are all rebuilt and just wonderful enjoyed every minute out thee and saw do baby birds Here during the whooping crane festival and all was great saw whoopers roseate spoonbills egrets and lots of herons and many more

4. Glenn's Fish Camp

Jc Barr Boulevard Port Aransas City Boat Harbour, Port Aransas, TX +1 361-500-3906 http://www.glennsfishcamp.com
Excellent
75%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
6%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16 reviews

Glenn's Fish Camp

Reviewed By CristopherJT - Austin, United States

Fun, friendly and DOG friendly! Captain Brian took us to the fish and in 2.5 hours we had all the reds. Made sure to move when we needed to but knew when to stay put. We all had a great time, even Rocket. Some in our group were experienced and a few first-timers too. He made it fun for us all.

5. Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture

710 W Avenue a, Port Aransas, TX 78373-4128 +1 361-749-4158 http://www.cityofportaransas.org/Nature_Preserve.cfm
Excellent
51%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 171 reviews

Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture

Reviewed By pamperedpnp

Must stop place for bird watching on the island. Went several times during our stay. Perfect for families too. Beginners to advanced birders

6. Roberts Point Park

301 Jc Barr Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373-4006 +1 361-749-5429 http://www.cityofportaransas.org/Roberts_Point_Park.cfm
Excellent
68%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 98 reviews

Roberts Point Park

Reviewed By Gail_Mac58_12 - Austin, United States

Great place to fish, watch the dolphins, sea turtles and pelicans and watch the big ships come through the channel

7. Mustang Island State Park

17047 Tx-361, Port Aransas, TX 78373 +1 361-749-5246 http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mustang-island
Excellent
44%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 531 reviews

Mustang Island State Park

State Park on Mustang Island that offers the best camping in the area.

Reviewed By DannyWasserman - Virginia Beach, United States

Nice place to visit and take in the beautiful beach at Mustang Island !! The beaches are clean and the boardwalk area is clean. We didn't stay there, but we were close by and it was an easy ride from Corpus Christi.

8. Lighthouse Lakes Trail

Port Aransas, TX +1 800-633-3028 [email protected]
Excellent
38%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 16 reviews

Lighthouse Lakes Trail

This sea kayak trail is marked with GPS coordinates and trail signs and goes through a beautiful estuary region.

9. San Jose Island

Port Aransas, TX http://sanjoseislandtexas.com
Excellent
56%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 135 reviews

San Jose Island

Reviewed By darbjustic - Albuquerque, United States

We took the 5-minute ferry from Fisherman's Warf. A little spendy, but worth it. The island itself has no one. Tons and tons and tons of seashells. There is also debris that washes ashore, but still awesome. We took a nice long walk out onto the jetty. It is .75 miles in length. There were great views of the dolphins in the bay and ocean along the way. Totally awesome. We'd recommend it and do it again.

10. Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond

Located Along Cut-Off Rd. Behind Shark Reef Resort, Port Aransas, TX 78373 +1 361-749-4158 http://www.cityofportaransas.org/Paradise_Pond.cfm
Excellent
28%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
11%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 18 reviews

Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond

Reviewed By joycetwin2 - Exeter, United States

This is a small area that is behind a Mexican restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised by the feeling of seclusion in the center of housing and businesses. Sadly, you can still see the hurricane damage and it appears they lost most of the trees around the pond. The boardwalk and fences have been repaired so it is still a safe place for young and old. Saw warblers, ducks, doves, kinglets and more during our short visit during not so nice weather. Don't skip this one!!

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