ith its beautiful beaches, Corpus is ideal for the ultimate beach vacation. There are dozens of beaches to choose from during your stay, ranging from calm and peaceful waters to some of the best surfing beaches around the coast. There is something for everyone in Corpus with its 100 miles of sandy shores.
Corpus Christi's beautiful beaches are the heart and soul of the Gulf Coast Capital
Corpus Christi, Texas, a South Texas gem on the Gulf of Mexico, is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, unique attractions, bird watching, museums, and South Texas hospitality. Tucked into a bay with beaches sheltered by Padre Island and Mustang Island, Corpus has grown in popularity throughout the years and now is a top tourist destination in Texas. Tourists travel to Corpus Christi’s shores for its beautiful coastal setting and miles of beaches. The city offers popular attractions, numerous fine hotels and resorts, shopping, exciting adventures, cultural venues, and excellent dining.
Of all the beaches I’ve visited in Corpus Christi, here are the top five on my list. I’ve been to each one, and each has something unique to offer.
Each beach has something unique to offer
1. Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore, a barrier island in the Coastal Bend area of southern Texas, is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world and separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Laguna Madre. It protects seventy miles of coastline, dunes, prairies, and wind tidal flats filled with life and is an important habitat for many rare, threatened, and endangered species. The island is the nation’s prime nesting beaches for critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and is globally important for migrating birds, a haven for over 380 bird species. Padre Island National Seashore is an undeveloped wilderness preserved in its natural state with a rich history, including the Spanish shipwrecks of 1554.
There are fees to visit Padre Island National Seashore. Find more about them here.
Directions: The National Seashore is about 25 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas. Visitors to the area should head east through Corpus Christi on Highway 358. After crossing the JFK Causeway onto Padre Island, Highway 358 changes to Park Road 22. Continue about 10 miles south on Park Road 22 to reach the park entrance. The physical address for the Malaquite Visitor Center is: 20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX 78418. Please note that GPS technology can be unreliable when using the physical address.
2. Padre Balli Park
On the north end of Padre Island, Padre Balli Park is almost 400 acres, open year-round, and has no beach park entrance fee. Known for its fishing, Bob Hall Pier, and surfing, this beach is one I never miss when I am in Corpus. Amenities include picnic tables, cabanas, a bathhouse, equipment rentals, and Bob Hall Pier and Mikel May’s Beachside Bar and Grill. It offers a space for primitive campsites on the beach, as well as hardtop campsites, and paved campsites with water and electrical hookups. At night, it’s a popular beach for bonfire building. You will need to bring your own wood, which cannot include any construction materials. Be sure to douse and cover your fires before leaving the beach.
Good to Know
- Campfires Permitted
- Tent Camping
- Parking Permit Required
- Beach Parking Permit Stickers are $12 and available year-round
- Paved Parking Available
- Restrooms
- RV Parking
- Showers
- A first-aid station is located at the park office
- Drive on the beach with a beach parking permit
DIRECTIONS
15820 Park Rd 22, Corpus Christi, TX 78418. Take Texas 358 from Corpus Christi across the JFK Causeway. Keep going straight until the road ends at Park Road 22. Drive down Park Road 22 until you see the pier.
3. Whitecap Beach
It’s one of the prettiest beaches in Corpus and a more relaxing beach where you will discover peace and quiet. The untouched white sands of this beach make for the ideal place to unwind. It’s a magnificent spot to get away from the busier beaches of Corpus Christi, and it is also one entrance to the Padre Island Seawall. This serene hideaway stretches for 1.5 miles and it’s a wonderful place for a picnic lunch, and since it is the least crowded of the beaches, you can grab that book and sit in the warm sun or just relax. Other activities include beach combing, sunbathing, fishing, surfing, sandcastle building, or just enjoying the views. If you need some time to recharge, I recommend Whitecap Beach. It’s the perfect place to decompress and enjoy the sounds of the crashing waves while soaking in the beauty of the nearby scenic sand dunes. The secluded shores allow for a peaceful environment. You will enjoy this paradise of sand and sun. There are no entrance fees, and the beach is open year-round. There are no public restrooms, but convenience stores are within walking distance, and lifeguards are on duty only during the summer. You can find Whitecap Beach sandwiched between Michael J. Ellis Beach & Seawall and Padre Balli Park, and the beach has a variety of rental vendors, restaurants, and beachfront hotels in close proximity.
Good to Know
- Parking Permit Required
- Beach Parking Permit Stickers are $12 and available year-round
- Port-O-Potties on Site
- Free Trash Bag Stations
- Camping Allowed
- Dogs Allowed
- Perfect Sand for Sandcastles
- Beach Play Perfection
- Easy Access to Other Beaches
- Lifeguards on Duty During Summer Season
- Whitecap Beach claims Mile Marker 224 to Mile Marker 222.
Campfires and/or Camping General Rules
- No larger than 3’ x 3’ x 3’ with no residue left
- Campfires must be fully extinguished and any holes must be filled
- Camping is prohibited in front of condos and hotels
- Camping is allowed for 3 days & nights consecutively, but no more than 6 days within a month
- No pallets or building material allowed. Wood pallets and building material used in construction are often coated in toxic chemicals that are not meant to be burned in campfires. They also may contain hardware such as nails or screws which could become dangerous to others or wildlife.
- Be sure to check for any burn bans in effect.
Nearby Eateries
- Padre Island Burger Company
- Doc’s Seafood & Steaks
- Snoopy’s Pier
- Island Joe’s Coffee & Gallery
Nearby Accommodations
- Lively Beach
- Hawthorn Suites
- Island House
- Gulfstream Condos
- Holiday Inn Express
DIRECTIONS
14802 Whitecap Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78418. Whitecap Beach is at the end of Whitecap Boulevard. Travel on Texas 358 toward Upper Padre Island. Take a left on Whitecap Boulevard until you reach the beach. Be sure to purchase a parking permit before your arrival to ensure you can park on the beach.
4. North Beach
If you are looking for a beach that offers not only waves, but a variety of attractions, shopping, and fabulous seafood restaurants near its sandy shore, North Beach is the ideal location. Located just across Harbor Bridge and close to town, North Beach is home to two iconic attractions in Corpus, the Texas State Aquarium and the U.S.S. Lexington, an aircraft carrier turned into a museum you can explore. North Beach is part of Corpus Christi Bay where you will find calm waters, making it an ideal location for families and small children to have fun in the sun and play in mild waves. Meander along its sandy shores and enjoy the spectacular Bayfront views. North Beaches provides plenty of entertainment and things to do!
On this beach you will find the 1.5-mile concrete Beachwalk ideal for biking, walking, running, and skating, two fishing jetties, a variety of beachfront hotels and fabulous restaurants, Dolphin Park playground, and three public bathhouses with restrooms and showers.
Recommended Eateries
Good to Know
- Vehicles cannot park on the beach, so permits are not required. A recreational-vehicle campground is located right on the beach.
- NO Lifeguards
- No Driving on Beach
- Paved Parking Lots Nearby
- Restrooms on Site
- Outdoor Showers Available
- Dogs Allowed on Leash
- Nearby Attractions
- Calm Waters for Swimming
- Clean & Well-Kept Beach
- Paved Walking Path
- NO Campfires or Camping Allowed
DIRECTIONS
Located just over the Harbor Bridge from downtown Corpus Christi, North Beach can be accessed by Surfside Blvd.
You can access North Beach by going north over the Harbor Bridge on I-35 and taking the first available exit. Be wary of detours and construction while the new Harbor Bridge is being built.
5. Michael J. Ellis Beach & Seawall
This spacious, one-mile stretch is a paradise along the Gulf of Mexico and a hot spot for locals and visitors, offering a variety of beach activities. From surfing, beach combing, birding, sunbathing to volleyball, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The beach is about mid-point along the one-mile Padre Island seawall and is well-maintained. It offers ample free parking, showers, bathrooms, changing rooms, and lifeguards are on duty. Beach rentals are available for visitors, and during the summer months, many vendors set up along the beach, renting surf boards and other beach necessities. I love strolling along the packed sand and taking in the breathtaking views of the Gulf.
The mile-long seawall functions as a buffer against swelling waters during storms and protects the hotels and resorts behind it. In clear weather, it is a gateway to the beach and a spectacular location to gaze out to the ocean. You can take a walk, bike ride, or just sit and relax. The seawall does not allow vehicles, so it is a safe place to play for families and children. It is fourteen feet above sea level at its highest point and provides a sand-free surface and is large enough to accommodate all. When you need a break from the water or just want to explore the seawall, you can enjoy some exquisite views of the Gulf from the seawall. Surrounded by gorgeous sights, it offers the ideal vantage point to enjoy them. The well-lit seawall makes it a safe area to explore once the sun bids us goodnight.
Good to Know
- Open year-round
- Restrooms
- Rinse-off Showers
- No entrance fee
- Parking Permit required for the beach
- Beach Parking Permit Stickers are $12 and available year-round
- Free parking in the Winward Parking Lot
- Dogs allowed
- Contained campfires allowed
DIRECTIONS
15210 Windward Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418. Travel on Texas 358 to Upper Padre Island, go left on Whitecap Boulevard. Windward Drive will be on the left-hand side and will take you to Michael Ellis Beach and the Seawall.
DIR
My Top Two Corpus Christi Beaches
1. Padre Balli Park
Padre Balli Park is one of my favorite beaches in Corpus. Its location makes it special because it’s near fun things to do like Horses on the Beach, Bob Hall Pier, and Mikel May’s Beachside Bar and Grill. It is one of my favorite places to swim and I just love that beach and pier. I’ve taken a horse ride at sunset right along the shore, and it is an incredible experience. I highly recommend you do the same! Riding along the beach, listening to the crash of the waves, while the sun begins its descent along the horizon, is a true memory maker.
2. Padre Island National Seashore
Here you can get back to nature, experience a hatchling release, find amazing seashells, and encounter many species of birds. At sunrise, witness the dolphins swimming close to shore. I’ve always found it not as crowded as the other beaches in Corpus. Most of the park is primitive with preserved nature, so it’s ideal for the nature lover. Wake up before sunrise, sit on Malaquite beach, and watch the sun wake the day as it climbs above the horizon. At night, the dark skies are perfect for star photography.
Catch the Sunrise at Malaquite Beach on Padre Island National Seashore
For an experience that steals your breath, witness the sunrise at Malaquite Beach. As the sun climbs above the horizon, the sky burns a vibrant orange, then creates a brilliant show of colors. The morning evolves into a magnificent light show. There truly is not another experience like it. Be sure to get there early–you don’t want to miss a thing, well before the sun peeks above the horizon, and settle in for an incredible phenomenon. The times I’ve gone out to the beach to watch the sunrise, few if any people are there, so it’s a beautiful and peaceful time on the shore. As the sun hits the horizon, watch for pods of dolphins swimming near shore and a vast array of birds starting their morning. It might surprise you what you discover.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a great beach getaway, Corpus offers a variety of beautiful beaches to choose from for the ultimate beach vacation. Whether you are looking to relax, fish, surround yourself with gulf nature, or you are wanting an adventure, each beach offers a unique experience. From horseback riding along the beach to parasailing, Corpus Christi offers memorable beach vacations that leave you with a lifetime of memories.
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