Port Aransas

Port Aransas is a town in Texas on the northern tip of Mustang Island on the Gulf of Mexico about 30 minutes drive north from Corpus Christi.

Understand

 * Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce/Tourist Bureau 403 W. Cotter. +1 361 749-5919 or +1-800-45-COAST. Stop by and peruse the visitor's info.

You can drive on the beach on Mustang Island. The sand is mostly packed but sometimes the winds builds loose drifts and it is easy to get stuck. If you do get stuck, don't panic. Stand outside your car looking dumbfounded by the situation and usually a few burly, macho, half-drunk guys will show up in a few minutes to help push you out. Be sure to shake their hands, thank them and offer them a beer if you've got it.

To park on the beach requires a beach parking permit available at the Chamber of Commerce and most stores around town. The police patrol the beach looking for problems and for cars without parking permits.

By plane
The closest major airport is Corpus Christi International Airport.

By car
Port Aransas is accessible from the north by a free ferry that runs across the ship channel 24 hours a day (Dec 2019). Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day the wait for the ferry can be up to 2 hours from Friday evening through Sunday evening to get on or off the island. During the week during the summer months the wait can still be 45 minutes to an hour during the day. After Labor Day, the waits are usually less than 30 minutes.

There is a causeway across the ship channel from Corpus Christi to Padre Island that makes getting to Port Aransas easier from the south, especially during the summer. The causeway is part of Park Road 22. The major highway to get there is IH-37 from San Antonio. US Hwy 77, which runs from the Mexico border to Waco (where it joins IH-35) intersects IH-37 just west of Corpus Christi.

Get around
Port Aransas is very accessible by car, although the main street through town can get very congested on summer weekends. Businesses provide ample free parking for customers and it is possible to park and walk to most shops and restaurants although the heat in the summer can be uncomfortable if you are not used to it.

Port Aransas provides a trolley that runs the length of town from the marina to the outlying RV parks for just 25 cents.

Stay safe
Port Aransas is a tourist town and fairly safe from violent crime. Thevsheriff patrol constantly, especially on the beach. One of the main problems is public intoxication, mainly on the beach.