With sediments from Mississippi River flowing down to Texas Gulf Coast, snorkeling in Mustang Island is not desirable but there are nearby areas that do provide sufficient environments for underwater activities.
The barrier islands on the Texas Gulf Coast provide some of the finest ocean views in the country. This 234 mile stretch of coastline that hug the Gulf of Mexico is known for its beautiful beaches, beaming piers, and amazing fishing bites. Sitting right in the middle of these barrier islands is Mustang Island, where horses once roamed freely. Right off the city of Corpus Christi, Mustang Island is not as flashy as its neighbors to the south, South Padre Island. However, it offers equally amazing weather and beaches and provides the tranquility if you want to get away from it all.
But when it comes to underwater activities, the common denominator across the Texas Gulf Coast is murky waters. These waters are not like the crystal clear, turquoise ones that you see in the Caribbean. The reason behind this is that numerous rivers carrying significant sediments eventually empty out to the Texas Gulf Coast. With less than ideal water visibility and minimal coral reefs in the area, snorkeling in Mustang Islanshould be reconsidered. But if you truly want to take some time to do some underwater exploring, look inland to Laguna Madre, one of the best preserved ecosystems in all of Texas.
Mustang Island Snorkeling Profile
Closest Major Airport: Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP), Corpus Christi, TX- 25 miles away, 25 minute drive
- Generally speaking, the barrier islands on the Texas Gulf Coast usually are not incredibly accessible from airports. Mustang Island is no exception. The nearest major airport is Corpus Christi International Airport, which is located on the western part of the city. However, Texas State Highway 358 goes straight from the airport to the island, making it convenient if not a bit far. There are three commercial flights, two from Houston and one from Dallas, so you will likely have a layover on your flight. However, Mustang Island is far from other major metros so it does not make sense to fly into a bigger airport and drive.
Closest Major Metro Area: Corpus Christi, Texas
- Fun fact: Mustang Island itself is not a municipality. The southern half of the island is technically part of the city of Corpus Christi, and Port Aransas occupies the north end of the island. Downtown Corpus Christi is a bit inland from the coast, approximately fifteen minutes west. As the eighth largest city in Texas, Corpus Christi is the anchor of the southern Texas Gulf Coast. The city is home to the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington, both of which can immerse visitors for hours. And with countless miles of coastline on the Gulf or the Bay, visitors have their pick of the litter on which beach to walk by in the amazing weather.
Recommended Method of Transportation to Destination: Fly into Corpus Christi International Airport and Drive to South Padre Island.
- Corpus Christi is 150 miles south of San Antonio, 225 miles south of Houston, and 150 miles north of Brownsville. Essentially, it is the largest metro within a significant radius. So unless your itinerary includes a tour of one of those cities, it only makes sense to fly into Corpus Christi. Mustang Island itself is long and remote in certain areas, so make sure to rent a car at the airport. You would want to go back and forth from Port Aransas to Padre Island, which is directly south of Mustang Island, and a car is the only way to do that.
Introduction
Mustang Island was long inhabited by the Karankawa, who were the predominant indigenous Native Americans living along the Texas Gulf Coast. The first European to discover Mustang Island was Spanish explore Alonso Alvarez de Pineda and soon the Spanish began settling. The island eventually became grazing land primarily for horses and the name of Mustang Island stuck. As it was sparsely populated, the island was infamous as a haven for pirates and smugglers. Mustang Island grew into prominence when the state of Texas purchased the land to make it into a state park.
Mustang Island is known as a favorite destination for many families and one of the bigger nests for snowbirds that seek out warmer weather during the winter. While Mustang Island does not have an overly transcendent reputation for spring break, it does have a lively party scene in Port Aransas. In addition, Port Aransas holds the annual Sand Fest which celebrates sculptors constructing gigantic sand castles. There are plenty of additional activities to keep one busy as well, including miles of beaches and hiking in Mustang Island State Park. But how does snorkeling in Mustang Island fit in terms of activities to pursue? Let’s review and see if there are any alternative options if you really wish to go underwater.
How is Snorkeling in Mustang Island, Texas?
Mustang Island stretches over eighteen miles on the Texas Gulf Coast, boasting unparalleled views of the ocean, warm sands, and crashing waves. Unfortunately, these do not lead to great snorkeling in Mustang Island. Most of the waters by the beach on the Texas Gulf Coast are low visibility, one of the great deterrents for underwater activities. The currents by the Texas Gulf Coast rotate counter-clockwise and all the sediments flowing down from Mississippi River and other rivers in Texas, such as Trinity, flow down Texas Gulf Coast. While waters in Mustang Island may be clearer than Galveston, primarily due to its distance from the Mississippi River, it’s still not up to acceptable standards.
While there are some good fishing in the area, that doesn’t mean there is particularly fantastic marine life in the shallow waters. While there may be some good fishes in the deep sea, there has to be a good marine ecosystem to have a great snorkeling experience which usually starts with coral reefs. For coral reefs to thrive, the water temperature has to be just perfect; it cannot be too hot or too cold. While the Gulf of Mexico is known to have relatively warm waters, it is still too cold. As such, without a sufficient marine ecosystem nearby, snorkeling in Mustang Island will provide little excitement.
Some folks may wonder if artificial reefs, such as the jetties by Port Aransas, will be a good alternative. The jetties will likely be your best bet if you want to go snorkeling in Mustang Island. There are plenty of fishes and other types of marine life chilling here for viewing. But you will have to contend with some unpleasant external factors during your excursion, which includes poor water visibility, some agitated waves, hordes of fishermen looking for their next grab. So while it is an available option, it’s best to evaluate all your options to see if there are activities that would be better use of your time.
How About Snorkeling in Laguna Madre?
If you truly wish to do some underwater exploring during your stay in Mustang Island, consider Laguna Madre. Overall, snorkeling in Laguna Madre is better than snorkeling in Mustang Island with calmer waters and wider variety of marine life. The lagoon is very shallow and enclosed, so there will be minimal disruptions on your adventure. The best way to capitalize here would be to join a charter boat. The lagoon is massive, and while there are plenty of spots to see the diverse marine life, the charter boats will know the good locations. Furthermore, there are places in the lagoon only accessible via boat as most of the surrounding area is under the control of the park system.
The water visibility here remains below average and not anywhere near the quality of Florida or the Caribbean. But the experience here is decent and there are limited options available to go snorkeling in Mustang Island. The marine life is decent, with hermit crabs, pigfish, and catfish plentiful, and seaweed standing tall at the bottom. While folks looking for a top notch experience may choose to skip, visiting Laguna Madre will be a good use of your time no matter what you do.
Final Word:
Mustang Island offers something for everyone, including spring breakers, family members, and snow birds. It is the ultimate destination for all Americans. While it may get clustered along with some of the other famous destinations such as South Padre Island and Galveston, it has its own charm. There are more fulfilling activities to pursue than going snorkeling in Mustang Island, such as hiking in the state park, going fishing on charter boats, or partying in Port Aransas. But if you are seeking a quality adventure underwater, book a trip to Laguna Madre which is the best option around.
Snorkeling in Mustang Island Rating: 2/5 Snorkels – Not Ideal but Possibility For Lots of Fun!
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