If you like to fish, play on the beach, enjoy lively nightlife, or just need a new place to explore for a weekend, than pack up the bags, we’re going to Port Aransas – also known as Port A. Round up your family or some friends and load up the poles, the beach chairs, your kite, and bikes for a fun weekend.
If you like to fish, play on the beach, enjoy lively nightlife, or just need a new place to explore for a weekend, than pack up the bags, we’re going to Port Aransas – also known as Port A. Round up your family or some friends and load up the poles, the beach chairs, your kite, and bikes for a fun weekend.
There are plenty of choices on places to stay, here are a couple recommendations:
- if you want to camp you can camp on the beach (make sure you get a permit) near the jetty or at an inexpensive County Park (water and electric hook ups) at the end of town; or stay at one of several RV parks in town – check this Port Aransas campground map to help you find a place to camp and read our review if we have stayed there
- for hotels or motels click on this Port Aransas lodging link or check out the Tarpon Inn which is right on the main drag and has been there since 1886
If you came in from the north, from the minute you board the car ferry to head across the bay to Port A, you feel that you are in for a unique experience. Keep your eyes out for the dolphin typically swimming of the bows of some of the ferries or ships chugging up and down the channel. Once off the ferry you are in Port A and you won’t have any trouble finding your way around town – it’s small and compact and the main street leads to the beach, the park and ferry, or farther done Mustang Island toward the bridge to Corpus. Check out this Port Aransas map to find things to see and do in Port Aransas. We like to stay in town and park the car and bike everywhere. The town is small and it’s easy to bike everywhere. Here are some things to see and do when you’re in town:
Bike Around Port A – start the day by biking down to the park and marina. This is a great place to watch the boats come in and out, be the first to spot the surfing dolphins which occasionally come right up to the seawall, or have a picnic, or a pick up game of volley ball. If you came across the ferry at night or came in from Corpus, then ride the ferry across the bay and back – it’s free and the kids will love it. Bike to one of the many restaurants and have lunch on the outside deck. Then bike along the seawall heading west or bike on over to the beach – the sand is hard packed so you have miles for beach biking.
Picnic & Play In The Park – Roberts Point Park is next to the ferry landing and is perfect for fishing from the jetty; hosting or attending a special event in the pavilion; playing shuffleboard, bocce ball, horseshoes, basketball, or volleyball; sitting on a park bench and dolphin watching as they lead the ships in and out of the channel; or pick up some chicken or sandwiches and have a picnic.
Go Fishing – you have lots of choices for fishing – bay, flats, surf, jetty, or deep sea. You’ll find most of the charter boats and fishing guides along the marina or nearby. To find a guide, we can personally recommend Mike O’ Dell and Fishing Fantasy – great guy and he knows where to go to land your limit. At the beach you can surf fish or fish on the long jetty that is the entrance to the bay as well as along a long portion of the channel.
Get Some Beach Time – at the end of town you’ll find a beach that you can drive and bike on. Set up the lawn chairs, enjoy the warm Gulf water, boogie board or surf, fly kites, and play some beach games (darts, bocce ball, frisbee, football, or volleyball). If you are adventurous, take a kite surfing lesson – what a thrill if the wind is blowing! Or better yet, camp on the beach.
Enjoy the Restaurants – for such a small town, Port A has a number of good restaurants some of which include: Trout Street (good fish, great deck on the water, a little pricier, and a little touristy), Hooks Bar & Grill is a small laid back restaurant with good food and an outside deck with live music, Fins has a deck overlooking the marina and good seafood at reasonable prices, Virginias is a fancier and pricier seafood restaurant on the water, and Seafood & Spaghetti Works has a unique atmosphere and good pasta and fish.
Party Hearty – for such a small town, there are an over abundance of fun and lively bars. If you stay in town, park the car and ride the bikes to one of several places to hang out, meet some fun locals, play some pool, and listen to some great music. Some of our favorites include: Sharkeys for the younger crowd and more rock type music; Bernies for a lively crowd; and Shorty’s to hang with the locals.
Play Golf – Newport Dunes Golf Club is just outside of town and is one of the best courses in Texas. It offers golfers scenic beauty as it traverses the Gulf of Mexico, excellent conditions, lots of variety, and some fun and very challenging holes. Read our review of Newport Dunes Golf Club. Use this Port Aransas Golf Map to find other nearby courses.
If you can, plan on spending more than just a weekend – you’ll have a great time and get to see more. Enjoy!
Author: Mike Sharp
I have a passion for travel and outdoor activities, and now I'm enjoying retired life. I will continue my traveling, golfing, boating, and enjoying life all across the great state of Texas.