Texas Vacations: Beaches or Seaworld?

[Sprinklecupcake]

Hi there! I need help trying to find a decent beach here in texas to go to for a weekend. I reallymiss the ocean, particularly the Gulf of Mexico. I have a ton of responsibilities at work and at home so I only have 3 days of vacation left to spend this year so I cant afford the time or money to fly out to Florida, Cali, or somewhere on the east coast. I remember as a kid I really enjoyed the white sand and seashells the Gulf of Mexico had. We were thinking of visiting Galveston or Corpus Christi since they are popular but I have heard mixed reviews about them. I have heard they are both either littered and green water or super clean and peaceful. I know Glavelston has a ton of things to do like the aquarium, nature park, and all kinds of cool shops while Corpus Christi apparently doesnt have much except white sand and hotels but thats very far away. We originally wanted to go to Seaworld in San Antonio but its a heck of a drive and I have no idea if its like the one in Florida.

My main beach things Im looking to experience are white sand, TONS of sealife critters to meet, and seashells. Mostly sea critter encounters!  Seaweed, crabs, birds, or lizards dont bother me at all and we arnt going swimming but id like the water to be clearish and not muddy or green. We are planning maybe either June or July to go for just a weekend.

Does anyone know anywhere nice to go or have experience with these beaches? Please tell! Thanks!

[LightingElectricDream]

South padre island! I went therre and I was amazed at how clean and clear the ocean was the sand by the shore was very tiny and smooth and white. Just had a blast rented a cabana for a week by the shore it was $200. But they have a camp ground for RVs and tents also. South padre is just a bit past courps christy 10 10 miles away from Mexico. You shoukd look it up! Plus there are tones of places that you can look at ocean life for free.the town is like a walk in everything.   Here are ssome pictures http://namineeveninglight.deviantart.com/?tab=gallery&id=39750050&offset=0

[Bekuno]

I'm afraid I can't give you any beach help as I'm not a beach person but I thought I'd add onto Namine's post and mention that South Padre Island has a Schlitterbahn water park there along the beach that I bet would be fun to go to

[summerday]

Definitely not Galveston. It has lots of fun things to do, but the water is very cloudy. The Mississippi delta really affects the beaches by stirring up the dirt. You have to go farther south. Port Aransas is nicer, but it's not that pristine white sand you're looking for. They do have a sandcastle competition some time of the year, but I'm not sure when. It's also a short distance to Corpus, which has the Texas State Aquarium. It's pretty good. There's also a Navy ship docked that I think you can tour. I haven't actually done that myself. That's about as far south as I've been. Also, depending on the route you take, you can follow the Texas Independence Trail. There are a lot of historic stops along the way. I can't remember which road that is, but you could look on the net for more info. Hope that helps. I'd like to offer more, but I'm not much of a beach person. I'm kinda pasty and tend to burn. So, beaches aren't exactly my go to destinations.

[kaoskat]

Not in Texas but your post made me want to go to the beach!

[Sprinklecupcake]

A lot of you are saying the south Texas area, so I will definitly google the Corpus Christi area! My only problem is there seems to be lots of bays in the area, im scared to get lost! The Texas State Aquarium sounds so awesome though!  I really want to go to the beach there but im also thinking Seaworld in San Antonio. Im really fighting between choosing between to two, and with only 3 days pf vaycay i probably wont get to go to both. Seaworld is much closer than the Malaquite Beach in Padre Park I am interested in and im guaranteed to see oceanlife plus I get a discount on tickets from work. However, the beach sounds soo lovely and I really want to go shell collecting but its a longer drive!

[cuddlebuggy]

I haven't been down to South Padre but I hear that's the place to go. There's a Schlitterbahn there which is certainly worth a visit too. I've gone to a place north of there near Port Aransas called El Costante which is a condo/ hotel right on the beach. Great little place and there's a full kitchen so I can cook instead of eating out every meal.
The sand sculpture competition used to be right down the beach from the hotel but they were cancelled due to the cost a few years ago.

[melodys_angel]

Not in Texas but your post made me want to go to the beach!

same <3

Im sure youll find something!