Welcome to Mustang Island! Whether you’ve visited the Port Aransas area many times, or are considering vacationing here for the first time, there are so many great attractions to see during your Texas Gulf vacation.
Sandpiper Condominiums is situated near several major Port Aransas attractions, making it the ideal vacation location. From the
Texas State Aquarium to the majestic
USS Lexington there is so much to do and see in the area. These activities and attractions provide an interactive viewing experience for children and adults, especially at the aquarium where there are special exhibits featuring different animals nearly every month!
Nearby is the
Padre Island National Seashore – the longest undeveloped seashore in the United States. Padre Island is known for its development of sea turtle hatchling habitat. Efforts to preserve this area of land as well as the turtles who nest here have historically always been a priority and they still are. A designated staff cares for eggs left on the beach to ensure they return safely to the sea each year. If you are in the area at the right time of year, you can see for yourself the miracle of life as these little turtles hatch and head out to repopulate the oceans.
Browse the exciting Port Aransas attractions that await you on your next Mustang Island vacation below!
Mustang Island & Port Aransas Birding
If you live and breathe birds, you’ll flock to Mustang Island Texas for your next Port Aransas birding vacation. In the heart of the number-one birding state, more birds hang out here than anywhere else in Texas. Located in the Central Flyway, the island boasts hundreds of species as permanent residents and thousands of migrating birds that consider it a perfect stop.
In her book, Birding Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend, Jamie Ritter lists information on and directions to 78 different birding sites in the Coastal Bend Area which includes Port Aransas and the Sandpiper Beachfront Resort. This book is a wonderful resource for those serious about birding and is available at most bookstores.
Here are just a few of established local Port Aransas birding sites:
1. The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas overlooks the ship channel. Weekly guided birding tours are offered free of charge on Wednesdays at 9:00 am.
2. The Port Aransas Nature Preserve will provide over 2 miles of hike and bike trails within the park. Amenities include the Pavilion, boardwalks over algal flats, crushed granite trails on the uplands, covered seating sites and a tower overlooking wetland areas around Salt Island.
3. The Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond a 2-acre habitat which was the creation of a group of birders who won the Great Texas Birding Classic who applied the prize money for the purchase of land. Paradise Pond is a stop on the spring migratory route for smaller warblers and other songbirds, while many feathered friends call the pond home all year long. The wheelchair accessible boardwalk and 3 observation decks provide easy access to allow Port Aransas birding enthusiasts to get “up close and personal” with the birds under a mantle of trees.
4. Port Aransas’ Wetland Park which was built by the Texas Highway Department and deeded to the city of Port Aransas. It has a raised wheelchair accessible boardwalk that leads to a gazebo overlooking the tidal flats, home to many water birds and cranes.
5. Coastal Bend Audubon Society owns and operates the North Bay Sanctuary which is a 75-acre wildlife sanctuary located in San Patricio County. The sanctuary supports a wide array of south Texas wildlife. The combination of aquatic habitats, grasslands, and brushy areas makes the sanctuary a haven for a diversity of bird species year-round. Since the property was acquired it has been managed for the recovery of Tamaulipan thorn scrub brush and native grass communities.
There are several maintained trails and an elevated viewing platform that gives an “above-the-brush” view of the property. A 12-foot viewing tower can accommodate 15 people, allowing Port Aransas birding enthusiasts to check out the new prairie wetland project and to look across the fence at the larger wetlands containing an occasional cattle egret or neotropical cormorant rookery. The Society conducts meetings and field trips, information can be obtained at the North Bay Sanctuary.
6. The Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program is a local non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1999. The CBBEP project area encompasses the 12 counties of the Coastal Bend Council of Governments extending from the land cut in the Laguna Madre, through the Corpus Christi Bay system, and north to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. The mission of the CBBEP is the implementation of the Coastal Bend Bays Plan, which is to protect and restore the health and productivity of the bays and estuaries while supporting continued economic growth and public use of the bays. The Estuaries Program promotes kids programs for birding and shell collecting and identifying.
7. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 545 National Wildlife Refuges. It was originally established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge Complex is comprised of over 115,000 acres including the Blackjack Peninsula (Aransas proper), Matagorda Island, Myrtle Foester Whitmire, Tatton, and Lamar units. These areas provide vital resting, feeding, wintering, and nesting grounds for migratory birds and native Texas wildlife. The Refuge is world renowned for hosting the largest wild flock of endangered whooping cranes each winter. Other native species you can see on the Refuge include the American alligator, javelina, roseate spoonbill, white-tailed deer, armadillo, and spectacular wildflowers.
Refuge Calendar of Events
Port Aransas birding enthusiasts are invited to attend the various events the Refuge has going on throughout the year. If you have any questions please contact us.
January
- Weekend Van Tours – 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Call for reservations.
- Wildlife Art Contest in local Schools
- Aransas Lecture Series Program
- Environmental Education Programs
- Whooping Crane Boat Tours – Rockport
February
- Weekend Van Tours – 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Call for reservations.
- Last Weekend – Whooping Crane Festival, Pt. Aransas
- Aransas Lecture Series Program
- Environmental Education Programs
- Whooping Crane Boat Tours – Rockport
March
- 1st Week – Refugio County Parade
- 14th – National Wildlife Refuge System Birthday
- Weekend Van Tours – 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Call for reservations.
- Wildlife Art Contest Judging, Winners & New Artwork on Billboards Announced
- Spring Migration Begins
- Aransas Lecture Series Program
- Environmental Education Programs
- Whooping Crane Boat Tours – Rockport
April
- Weekend Van Tours – 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Call for reservations.
- 15th – Fishing Access to San Antonio Bay
- 22nd – Earth Day
- Refuge Easter Basket Project
- Spring Migration
- Whooping Cranes Begin Northward Migration
- Wildlife Art Contest Billboard Unveiling
- Aransas Lecture Series Program
- Environmental Education Program
- Wildflowers Abundant
- Texas Trash-Off Beach Clean-up
- Whooping Crane Boat Tours End – Rockport
May
- Fishing Clinic and Migration events for local students
- 2nd Saturday – International Migratory Bird Day
- School / Tour Group Programs
- School Group Environmental Ed. – Matagorda Is.
- Spotted Fawns Seen with Does
- 27th – Conservationist Rachel Carson’s Birthday
June
- 1st Week – National Fishing and Boating Week
- Bay Days – Port Lavaca
- School Group Environmental Ed. – Matagorda Is.
- Application Period for Refuge Hunts
July
- 4th – Tivoli Independence Day Parade
- Application Period for Refuge Hunts
- Environmental Education Programs
August
- Shorebird Migration
- Application Period for Refuge Hunts
September
- Application Period for Refuge Hunts
- Hummingbird & Waterfowl Migrations
- Hummer/Bird Celebration – Rockport
- School Group Environmental Ed.
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Experience the beauty of Mustang Island State Park. With 5 miles of coastline to play, relax, and explore, Mustang Island State Park is the perfect outing on your Port A vacation.
What to Do in Mustang Island State Park
Established in 1972 and officially opening to the public in 1979, Mustang Island State Park makes up a little over 3,900 acres of land and provides plenty of opportunities for adventurers to get out and explore nature. Here’s the best way to spend a day at Mustang Island State Park:
Beach It
The park offers 5 miles of beach, so pack your towel, beach chair, and beach toys for the kids and enjoy a relaxing day by the water.
Kayak/Paddleboard
With its calm bays and winding waterways, Mustang Island State Park provides ideal conditions for both beginners and experienced paddlers. Glide through the clear waters on the Mustang Island Paddling Trail , which consists of three trails that you can venture off on. The North Trail is 8.5 miles, the Shamrock Loop Trail is 5.24 miles, and the Ashum Trail is 6.8 miles.
Visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife website for more information and tips about the Mustang Island Paddling Trail. Bring your own gear or rent kayaks and paddleboards from nearby outdoor shops.
Fishing
Fishing at Mustang Island State Park offers an exciting and rewarding experience for anglers of all skill levels. The park’s diverse aquatic habitats, including bays, surf, and piers, are teeming with a variety of fish species such as redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and more.
Bird Watching
For birders, Mustang Island State Park is the place to be, especially during the spring and fall migrations. You’ll get a chance to spot egrets, ibises, resident herons, gulls, and terns. Because of Mustang Island’s relatively mild winter climate, this area is prime wintering grounds for many waterfowl and shorebird species.
Geocache
Take part in a modern-day treasure hunt known as geocaching! Geocaching uses an app or GPS device to find cleverly hidden containers called geocaches. The Texas Parks and Wildlife has a guide on what’s needed for your geocaching adventure, so check it out. Happy hunting!
Hours of Operation:
- Open Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Reservations are highly recommended for day use as the park reaches capacity often
Admission Pricing:
(All major credit cards accepted)
- $7.00 Adults
- Free Children 12 & under
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Padre Island National Seashore
Looking for a things to do on your Port Aransas vacation? A beautiful and historic national seashore is just a short drive from Port Aransas, making it a perfect day trip. Padre Island National Seashore is the longest section of undeveloped barrier island in the world, stretching over 130,454 acres. This beautiful area is located on North Padre Island, just a few minutes south of Port Aransas and the Sandpiper Condominiums beachfront resort. Visitors to Padre Island National Seashore can enjoy bird watching, boating, camping and horseback riding on the beach. There is also a whole host of water activities available including scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and windsurfing. Padre Island National Seashore welcomes over half a million visitors each year!
A visit to Padre Island National Seashore can be a very educational experience. Vast efforts have been made over the years to preserve the natural state of this national seashore area. The barrier island’s rare terrain made up of coastal prairie and a dynamic dune system protects one of the few hypersaline lagoon environments in the world, the Laguna Madre. The national seashore is home to numerous marine and terrestrial plants and animals as well. Some of which are rare, threatened and/or endangered species. Padre Island National Seashore is also home to over 350 species of migratory and resident birds. Special events and programs offered at Padre Island National Seashore, including beach walks, mini-talks, campfire programs and bird watching walks, are a great way to learn more about the national seashore’s history, animal life and more.
Padre Island National Seashore is also well known for its turtle population. It is home to Kemps Ridley, Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, and Leatherback turtles. Padre Island is the primary nesting area of the Kemps Ridley in the United States. Staff at the national seashore is part of an effort to save the Kemps Ridley, the most endangered species of sea turtle. The National Seashore incubates Kemps Ridley eggs found along the coast and releases the baby sea turtles into the Gulf of Mexico once they have hatched. Visitors are invited to watch most of the hatchling releases free of charge. Baby sea turtles are released at Padre Island National Seashore from May through September.
Pets are allowed at Padre Island National Seashore but must be kept on a leash at all times. Camping areas are offered on a first come, first served basis and there are no hook-ups at the national seashore. Weddings can be held on the beach with a special use permit.
Padre Island National Seashore Hours
- Open seven days a week year-round.
- The Visitors Center is open daily. With the exception of Christmas & New Year’s Day.
National Seashore Admission
- The entrance fee is $10.00 per vehicle.
- The permit pays for entry into the park for up to 7 consecutive days.
- Annual Passes are available for $20.00.
Directions to Padre Island National Seashore
The national seashore is located on North Padre Island, which is just South of Mustang Island. From the Sandpiper, head in a Southerly direction along State Highway 361 for approximately 6 miles where it intersects with Park Road 22. Turn left and continue straight (south) on park road 22 for about 7 miles to the entrance. Road signs are visible once on the Padre Island.
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Come. Sea. Discover the amazing underwater world of the Texas State Aquarium Corpus Christi. Travel an aquatic journey from the shore to the depths of the Gulf of Mexico and have the opportunity to experience dive shows, animal feedings, training sessions, and “hands on” programs with sharks and stingrays. Thousands of animals representing over 250 species, displayed in entertaining and educational exhibits, are ready to enchant, entertain and inspire you.
The Texas State Aquarium offers special encounter programs such as:
- A one-hour tour aboard the 100 ft yacht the Texas State Aquarium to view the Corpus Christi shoreline and wildlife
- A dolphin encounter, where you can hug and kiss a dolphin and even get in the water with a dolphin.
Be a dolphin trainer for a day.
- A behind the scenes tour of the Texas State Aquarium. Every visit to the Texas State Aquarium is a new and exciting discovery of animals that remind us all of our responsibility to those whose world we share. Get up close and personal with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins from above and below the water in Dolphin Bay. Look to the skies as hawks, owls and falcons soar throughout the Hawn Wild Flight Theater. Visit the Islands of Steel exhibit, modeled after an offshore oil platform, where sharks and sea turtles live among schools of snapper, tarpon, redfish, jacks and grouper. Dare to enter the mysterious world of the Amazon rainforest and experience the exotic, the deadly and the fierce as you encounter poison-dart frogs, freshwater stingrays, and boa constrictors, and spend time in the Living Shores, where you can really get your hands wet! Watch as sea turtles gracefully glide in the waters of Tortuga Cay and see North American river otters play the day away in Otter Creek.
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Find out what life was like on a WW II aircraft carrier when you step aboard the USS LEXINGTON. Despite repeated attacks during WWII, LEX never sank, prompting Japanese propagandist Tokyo Rose to dub her “The Blue Ghost”.
LEX, illuminated at night with ghostly blue lighting, is a National Historic Landmark located on Corpus Christi Beach. New to the Flight Deck are two 5”/38 gun mounts weighing in excess of 100,000 lbs each and able to launch a 55lb projectile nine miles. And, don’t miss the exciting F/A-18 Hornet, the plane currently being flown by the Blue Angels, in all her glory. A visit to this” city at sea” is like a journey through time. Step onto a real movie set where the movie Pearl Harbor was filmed. See vintage aircraft being restored. Sit in the cockpit of a real jet fighter. See where planes took off and landed in the middle of the ocean. And of course the three-story tall MEGA Theater and Flight Simulator. Our newest adventure is sure to send shivers down your spine. Our Virtual Battle Stations are truly an interactive experience that thrusts you into the chaos and grit that was World War II. It’s time for you to experience this one-of-a-kind adventure.
The USS LEXINGTON Corpus Christi museum is open year ’round seven days a week for touring, youth overnight camps, meetings and events.. *We are closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving Day.
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