Area Guide

Discover Port Aransas.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway, family vacation, fishing trip, or extended stay, Port Aransas offers something for everyone. Explore local dining, beaches, attractions, outdoor adventures, and more during your stay at Aransas Princess.

Beach Information

18 Miles of Pristine Texas Shoreline

Port Aransas and Mustang Island stretch across 18 miles of beach, all open for you to enjoy during your stay. Spend the day with family and friends, take a swim in the Gulf, or just relax and take in the view.

Local Dining

The Best Restaurants in Port Aransas

Port A has no shortage of great local restaurants serving up coastal cuisine. Fresh seafood is the star here, but you’ll find plenty of other options around town to satisfy whatever you’re craving during your stay.

Breakfast & Coffee

  • Barefoot Beans
  • Coach’s Island Grill
  • Island Cafe
  • Irie’s Island Bakery
  • Coffee Waves
  • Cancun Grill & Cantina
  • San Juan’s Taqueria
  • Barefoot Beans
  • The Donut Place

Lunch & Dinner

  • Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill
  • Lelo’s Island Grill
  • La Playa Mexican Grille
  • MacDaddy’s Family Kitchen
  • Black Marlin Bar & Grill
  • Dylan’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
  • The Crazy Cajun
  • Fins Grill & Icehouse
  • The Phoenix
  • Lisabella’s Bistro
  • Kody’s Restaurant & Bar
  • Seafood & Spaghetti Works

Sweets

  • Winton’s Island Candy
  • Desserted Island Ice Cream
  • Coffee Waves
  • Port A Creamery
  • Taiyaki Ice Cream & Froyo
  • Island Scoop
Night Life

The Best Bars in Port Aransas

There’s no shortage of fun for adults in Port Aransas. Whether you’re craving live music, a great glass of wine in a fun atmosphere, or low-key pizza and beer, there’s a nightlife option for everyone.

  • Busted Bicycle
  • 361 Bar
  • Bernie’s Beach House
  • The Gaff Pizza & Beer
  • 1886 Bar Lounge
  • Red’s Porch
  • Port A Beer Hut
  • Treasure Island
  • The Sip Yard
  • Shorty’s Place
Fishing

Reel in Adventure in the Fishing Capital of Texas

Whether you’re an experienced angler or dropping your first line, Port Aransas has fishing for every skill level. These waters are home to redfish, speckled trout, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, and more, making it one of the best spots on the Texas coast to cast a line.

Pier Fishing

Port Aransas’ well-lit piers stretch hundreds of feet out over the water and are free to use if you bring your own gear. Keepers Pier and the Port Aransas Fishing Pier are two of the best spots, known for sharks, tarpon, kingfish, and more.

Shallow Water: Kayak & Surf

Kayak anglers will find the local jetties full of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. Prefer to stay on the sand? Surf fishing brings in pompano, whiting, and the occasional black drum.

  • Natuicool Adventures
  • Coastal Bend Kayak

Deep Sea Charter Fishing

Warm and cold currents meet here, creating a marine ecosystem rich in game fish. Both charters below provide bait, fuel, and water, so all you need to bring are your personal essentials.

  • Dolphins Docks – Multi-day Big Game
  • Captain Kelly’s Deep Sea Headquarters
  • Captain Adam Graham
  • Coastal Charters
  • Fisherman’s Wharf

Guided Fishing

The Best Time to Fish

Redfish and speckled trout run year-round, with big bull reds peaking in summer. Early fall brings mahi-mahi, tuna, and marlin offshore. Come January and February, inshore anglers are rewarded with sheepshead and pompano.

Attractions

Popular Landmarks & Exciting Spots

Port Aransas is home to a great mix of attractions and wilderness areas. Explore natural spaces full of local wildlife, family-friendly museums, and unique excursions that add some thrills to your vacation.

Parks & Wilderness Areas

  • Mustang Island State Park
  • San José Island
  • Port Aransas Nature Preserve
  • Padre Island National Seashore
  • Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center

Family-Friendly Activities

  • Red Dragon Pirate Cruises
  • Scarlet Lady Dolphin Cruises
  • Fire It! Ceramics
  • Fly It! Port A Kite Shop
  • Robert’s Point Park
  • The Patton Center Aquarium at UTMSI
  • Sandcastle Lessons (361-290-0414)
  • Port Aransas Community Park & Pool
Land Activities

Things To Do On Land in Port Aransas

The beaches and waters around Port Aransas are the main draw, but there’s plenty to do on land too. Explore nature, play a few sports, or visit the local art and cultural spaces.

Play the Pamilla Beach Golf Links Course

Take a swing at Texas’ only true links course, originally designed by Arnold Palmer. It includes a 9-hole regulation course, a 3-hole short course, and a class-A driving range. No membership or dress code required, and every booking includes a complimentary golf cart.

Play Tennis at Aransas Princess

Whether you’re looking for a friendly match or just want to stay active during your beach getaway, our two on-site hard-surface tennis courts are available exclusively for guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Racquets and balls are available for checkout at the Front Desk, so you can step onto the court and play in minutes.

Go On A Nature Walk at Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Preserve

Take a nature walk at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, a free boardwalk through the Port Aransas Nature Preserve’s freshwater wetlands. Alligators, roseate spoonbills, and hundreds of other resident and migratory bird species call this stretch of the Great Texas Birding Trail home.

Water Sports

Splash Into Great Times on the Water

From paddling the scenic waters around Mustang Island State Park to boating or parasailing across the open sea, there’s no shortage of thrills to be had on the water in Port Aransas.

  • Kayaking
  • Paddleboarding
  • Surfing
  • Boat Tours
  • Jet Skiing
  • Parasailing
  • Chute Em Up Parasail
  • Nauticool Adventures
  • Coastal Bend Kayak
  • BoardHouse Surf & Skate
  • Kayak Adventures in Port Aransas
  • Texas Surf Camps
  • Gettin Salty Watersports
  • Island Surf Rentals
Your Coastal Escape

Ready to Explore Port Aransas?

From local favorites and waterfront dining to outdoor adventures and family attractions, Port Aransas offers endless opportunities to create unforgettable memories.