With sediments from Mississippi River flowing down to Texas Gulf Coast, snorkeling in Port Aransas is okay by the jetties but there are nearby areas that do provide better 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. At the northern tip of Mustang Island is Port Aransas, the signature resort village on the city. While Port A, as the locals call it, is not as flashy as South Padre Island, 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 less-than-clear waters. These waters are far from the crystal clear, turquoise ones that you see in the Caribbean. The reason behind this is from the Mississippi River, the numerous rivers carrying significant sediments emptying out to the Texas Gulf Coast. While snorkeling in Port Aransas is possible by the jetties on the northern shore, don’t expect a great experience due to its poor water visibility and minimal coral reefs. 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.
Port Aransas Snorkeling Profile
- Water Visibility: Poor. Water visibility is significant deteriorated by the sediments from the Mississippi River flowing down the Texas Gulf Coast.
- Current Strength: Natural currents are below average as the waves are generally softer than south and the jetties provide some protection. However, the currents can get gnarly on the Aransas Pass, the shipping route, as the bigger ships can cause significant vibrations.
- Coral Presence: Minimal. Sandy bottoms with mostly rocks from the jetty.
- Marine Life: Decent volume of tropical fishes swimming around, including belted sandfish, sheepshead, mollusks, and even some turtles and octopus.
- Crowd: Most of the crowd is centered by the pier and the jetties. Not incredibly crowded but can get dense at times.
Getting There:
Closest Major Airport: Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP), Corpus Christi, TX- 40 miles away, 50 minute drive
- Generally speaking, getting to the barrier islands on the Texas Gulf Coast from the airports is an incredibly frustrating exercise and Port Aransas 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. However, Port Aransas is far from other major metros so it does not make sense to fly into a bigger airport and drive for hours.
Closest Major Metro Area: Corpus Christi, Texas
- 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 is long and remote in certain areas and rideshare is not an efficient option, 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.
How is Snorkeling in Port Aransas, Texas?
Port Aransas is on the northern tip of Mustang Island, which stretches over eighteen miles on the Texas Gulf Coast, boasting unparalleled views of the ocean, warm sands, and crashing waves. But snorkeling in Port Aransas should not be the first experience you seek out. 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 by Port Aransas may be clearer than Galveston, primarily due to its distance from the Mississippi River, it’s still not great.
The jetties at the north tip will likely be your best bet for going snorkeling in Port Aransas. The best spot is actually by the jetties on San Jose Island, an uninhabited island across from Port Aransas, but you would need a boat to get you there. Do not attempt to swim across as the jetties as all the ships and boats from Corpus Christi go through the Aransas Pass so it is a busy route. Always stay close to the jetties and be on the lookout for any ships that are passing.
There are plenty of marine life, including belted sandfish, sheepshead, mollusks, turtles, and maybe even octopuses on the rare occasions. But be ready to deal with some external factors during your excursion, which includes poor water visibility, hordes of fishermen looking for their next grab, not to mention tankers that can disrupt the entire shoreline. 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 Port Aransas, consider Laguna Madre. Snorkeling in Laguna Madre is better than snorkeling in Port Aransas 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 Port Aransas. 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:
Port Aransas offers something for everyone, including spring breakers, family members, and snow birds. It is the ultimate beach 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 Port Aransas, such as hiking in the state park, going fishing on charter boats, or partying by the beach. Snorkeling in Port Aransas jetties is not a bad option, but book a trip to Laguna Madre if you are seeking a quality adventure underwater.
Snorkeling in Port Aransas Rating: 2/5 Snorkels – Not Ideal but Possibility For Lots of Fun!
