Port Aransas was a location of pirates in the early 19th century. From about 1800 to the early 1820s, the Gulf Coast was a haunt of pirate ships searching for riches. Capt. Jean Lafitte and his buccaneers spent time on the Texas coast; Galveston owed its start to him and Mustang Island was one of his favorite haunts.
Port Aransas is the only established town on Mustang Island. It is located north of Padre Island and is one of the longest barrier islands along the Texas coast. Corpus Christi Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, the Lydia Ann Ship Channel and the Corpus Christi Ship Channel make up the surrounding waters.
For the whitest sand in the Coastal Bend, visit Mustang Island Beach and State Park. This unspoiled barrier island stretches 18 miles from Corpus Christi north to Port Aransas.
The park was originally called “Wild Horse Island,” and then “Mustang Island,” after the wild horses that were brought there by the Spaniards in the 17th century. The island was originally inhabited by the Karankawa Indians until the early 1800s.
While wild horses no longer roam the beach these days, plenty of still other wildlife call Mustang Island home. Look for crabs, stingrays and a multitude of different birds, especially during the spring and fall migrations. You might also spot an occasional jellyfish, so read our tips to know what to do when jellyfish get too close.
Port Aransas/Mustang Island/Or Post A as most Texans call her is located smack dab in the middle of Galveston and South Padre Island on the Texas gulf coastline.. It is to Corpus Christi as Galveston is to Houston.
Unique to most Texas beaches due to the fact driving on the beach, camping and campfires are encouraged. it is also the golf cart capital of Texas as most locals and tourists make this their form of transportation. There are rental places on every corner.
We all remember Hurricane Harvey in 2018 that decided to Port Aransas ground zero. Now just a few years later things are getting back to normal and great deals can be found during the final recovery.
Today they are back and better than ever. Here are some current sites around town.
Port Aransas for the next few years is going to be a bargain for travelers looking for that weekend getaway, very affordable choice for family vacations or discounted holiday travel. They want and need your business as the recovery continues. This makes for a perfect incentive to offer such a beautiful destination at heavily discounted rates.
Where do we want to stay. As we always recommend VRBO is the first place to look.
Would you stay here for $70 per night. I would.
All-New 3BR/2BA Palmilla Condo w/ Pool, Dining & Boardwalk to Beach
HERE IS THE DIRECT LINK TO THIS PROPERTY
HERE IS VRBOs LINK TO OTHER SIMILAR PROPERTIES
Do you prefer a hotel…
HERE IS A LIST OF HOTELS AND MOTELS ON THE ISLAND – Hotels.com
HERE IS A LIST OF HOTELS AND MOTELS ON THE ISLAND -Trip Advisor
HERE IS A LIST OF HOTELS AND MOTELS ON THE ISLAND -Booking.com
Ok, If you have some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket you will fall in love with this resort. It’s famous throughout the great state of Texas!
Port Royal Ocean Resort & Conference Center
We’ve stayed here several times over the years and have never been disappointed. Realistically you can check into to the resort and never leave until its time to go home. Its located a half mile south of downtown Port Aransas.
Port Royal Ocean Resort & Conference Center Book Here Trip Advisor
While wild horses no longer roam the beach these days, plenty of still other wildlife call Mustang Island home.
Horseback Riding Info – Port Aransas
Parasailing Info – Port Aransas
Lets Go Fishing
Look for crabs, stingrays and a multitude of different birds, especially during the spring and fall migrations.
You might also spot an occasional jellyfish, so read our tips to know what to do when jellyfish get too close.
Jellyfish have inhabited Earth for more than 500 million years, making them the oldest multi-organ animals alive today. Almost 98 percent water, they are most common in coastal zones around the world and are certainly no strangers to the Coastal Bend region of the Gulf of Mexico.
The most common jellyfish found near Corpus Christi are the cabbagehead, moon jellyfish and stinging nettles. Both the moon jellies and stinging nettles can be found from late spring to mid-summer.
To best enjoy life along the coastal waters of South Texas, check out these five facts about jellyfish:
1. Jellyfish sting, but don’t kill.
Unless the human victim of a sting has an allergic reaction, jellyfish stings are not lethal. Most common stings range from a just noticeable burn to an itchy rash.
2. Scrap off those tentacles first.
Use a credit card to scrap off the tentacles. You probably won’t be able to see them, but if you are stung by a jellyfish, you can count on the fact that the tentacles are there.
3. Don’t pee on it.
You might have heard that urinating on the sting is the only thing that helps ease the pain. Guffaw! That has never been proven and isn’t sanitary. When stung, splash saltwater on the area, then make a paste of meat tenderizer to apply to it. (Use unseasoned meat tenderizer!) Don’t press on the skin. Apply gently. The meat tenderizer will quickly ease the pain.
4. Man-of-wars are not jellyfish (but they still sting).
Portuguese man-of-wars are those balloon-like translucent bubbles with long tentacles. It is not a single organism like the jellyfish. A man-of-war is a colonial organism made up of zooids, highly specialized solitary animals attached to one another. They are unable to survive on their own. The man-of-war lives on the surface of the ocean, with the “bubble” part above water and the tentacles below. Unlike the jellyfish, a man-of-war can not propel itself, so it is at the mercy of currents.
Man-of-war / Photo
Don’t let the presence of jellyfish in the ocean scare you off from having a good time. Stings are rare and easily treated. And jellyfish are not all bad. They are harvested for use in medicines and even as food.
Make Sure You Grab A Slice Of The Best Pizza On the Coast
MOBEY DICKS IS A FAVORITE. -HERE-
Other Restaurants worthy of a visit in Port Aransas
Red Dragon Pirate Cruise Port Aransas
Red Dragon Pirate Cruise Port Aransas
A Few More Sites Around The Island
Happy Travels!
Chris