Local Attractions...
Explore the Gulf of Mexico from Your "Home Base" in Port Aransas
on Mustang Island: a Crown Jewel of the Texas Gulf Coast!
Island RV Resort's location in Port Aransas on the Gulf of Mexico is ideal for exploring all of the recreation, activities and attractions of Mustang Island & nearby Corpus Christi, the other destinations of the Texas Gulf Coast, and the many "in-land" day trips, including San Antonio, Houston and Austin.
Island RV Resort invites you to explore all the treasures of our area. Simply click on the links below to get more information.
Port Aransas, Texas
Enjoy Texas ~ Island Style! Port Aransas is a work port located on the northern tip of Mustang Island on the Texas Gulf Coast. Escape to a relaxing retreat on the Texas Gulf Coast where world class fishing & boating, white sand beaches, a floating casino, spectacular bird watching, fascinating marine education opportunities, plus a full calendar of events, a thriving arts & culture scene, excellent shopping & restaurants and more combine to create the ultimate getaway on the Gulf of Mexico coast!
Port Aransas Fishing & Boating
Port Aransas fishing is widely considered the best on the Texas Gulf Coast. Whether you charter a boat, dock your own at one of the marinas, or just cast a line from a dock or the shore, you'll enjoy unparalleled fishing adventures on the jetties, bays, channels and the Gulf of Mexico itself. Species include: black drum, flounder, king mackerel, kingfish, marlin, red drum/redfish, sailfish, sheep head, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, tarpon, tuna and more. A little-known fact: the Gulf of Mexico regularly yields more fish, shrimp, and shellfish annually than the Chesapeake, New England, and south & mid-Atlantic regions combined. Cruising, sailing, sail boarding, jet skiing, canoeing & kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing and other water sports are popular in the waters around Port Aransas.
Mustang Island, Texas
Home to our location in Port Aransas, Mustang Island is a beautiful barrier island that stretches 18 miles along the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast side and Corpus Christi Bay on the Texas Gulf Coast on the northwest side. The island was named for the wild "mestenos" horses brought to the island in the 1700's. Up until the mid-1800's, the island and was used by pirates, smugglers and other "unsavory types." A remnant from these infamous days lives on in a rumored buried treasure located somewhere on the island.
Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State Park is located on the south end of the island and offers five miles of beach along 3954 acres of natural beauty. Enjoy fishing, kayaking, swimming, hiking and mountain biking on 5 miles of open beach, sunbathing, surfing and excellent birding, especially during spring and fall migrations.
Mustang Island Treasure
The history of Mustang Island includes a tempting tale of gold. Legend has it that, somewhere on the island, notorious "Gentleman Pirate" Jean Lafitte buried a chest of gold and jewels that is marked by a Spanish dagger with a silver spike driven through the hilt. Keep your eyes open!
Corpus Christi, Texas
Located across the bay on the Texas coast mainland is Corpus Christi, which is home to a variety of world class attractions, activities and entertainment. Recreation abounds with all of the fishing, golfing, horseback riding, sailing, cruises and tennis opportunities. Enjoy a thriving dining & nightlife scene. Be entertained by the full calendar of events. Experience the "Texas Tropical Culture" of Corpus Christi's performing arts & theatre. The variety of shopping caters to all tastes. Other Corpus Christi Highlights include:
USS Lexington Museum on the Bay
Corpus Christi Bay is the permanent "home port" to the legendary U.S.S. Lexington, an aircraft carrier that today is a world-renown museum. Come aboard and be transported back in time as you explore the tunnels and compartments. Take a seat at the controls of a real jet fighter and enjoy a virtual flight in the simulator. The MEGA Theater offer large-screen movies. Breathtaking views of the downtown skyline and the Corpus Christi Bay await on the flight deck.
Texas State Aquarium
View over 300 species of marine life including sharks, sea turtles, snapper, tarpon, redfish, grouper, bottlenose dolphin, otter, birds, small mammals, poison-dart frogs, fresh-water stingrays, boa constrictors, jellyfish and much, much more as you take a journey along 700,00 gallons of water that run from the shore to the depths of the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.
Easy Day Trips from Port Aransas
San Antonio, Texas - 2 1/2 hours Away
One of the most popular destinations in Texas, San Antonio is home to famous attractions, such as The Alamo & the historic sites of the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, the world famous stroll along the San Antonio River Walk, the historic arts center of La Villita, the splashing good fun of SeaWorld San Antonio, the thrilling family fun of Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the panoramic view of the 750-foot-high Tower of the Americas, the oldest historic area of San Antonio at the King William District, the scientific and historical exhibits of the Witte Museum, the wide array of art collected at the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum & the San Antonio Museum of Art, the charming cowboy history of the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and much, much more!
Houston, Texas - 3 Hours Away
Houston is the 4th largest city in the United States and offers a wide variety of attractions - many of them unique to Greater Houston area - including the underwater adventure of the Downtown Aquarium, the scale displays of China at the Forbidden Gardens, the fascinating hands-on exhibits of Space Center Houston, the water park thrills of Splash Town, the old fashioned family fun of the Kemah Boardwalk, the wild experiences of the Houston Zoo, the quarter horse & thoroughbred racing of the Sam Houston Race Park, the dog races of the Gulf Greyhound Park, the entertaining calendar of events, the impressive collections at the art galleries, the impressive variety of restaurants, the tasty charms of farmers markets and much, much more!
Austin, Texas - 3 1/2 Hours Away
Austin, the State Capital of Texas, is known as the "The Live Music Capital of the World®" - and, indeed, it offers nearly unlimited choices in live music venues and varieties, but there's much more to explore, including the serene surroundings of the Zilker Botanical Gardens & the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the native & exotic wildlife of the Austin Zoo, the exhibits of the LBJ Library & Museum, the historical displays of the Texas Military Forces Museum, the artistic explorations of the Blanton Museum of Art, the story of Texas presented at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, a packed calendar of events, the outdoor adventures of Greenbelt biking & the paddling pleasures found on Austin lakes, a rich blend of dining & shopping options, and much, much more!
Port Aransas Beaches
Port Aransas offers 18 miles of pristine beaches on one of the longest barrier islands in the world. Enjoy one of only three U.S. beaches that allow street legal vehicles. Texas Gulf Coast beaches are widely considered the best beaches for finding shells in North America. Try your hand at beachcombing, take a romantic stroll, enjoy swimming & sunbathing or just enjoy a drive along the scenic Texas Gulf Coast!
Port Aransas Birdwatching
Port Aransas, known as the "Nest of Texas," offers an abundance of both birds (one of the highest on the Texas Gulf Coast) and birding sites, which include Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond, the Leona Belle Turnbull Birding Center, the Port Aransas Jetty, the Port Aransas Wetlands Park, the UTMSI Wetlands Education Center, and many more. Enjoy an intimate view of hundreds of permanent and migrating species in their native and wintering habitats.
Port Aransas Marine Education Services
The University of Texas at Austin Marine Research Institute promotes interest in marine science through educational programs for the general public. The Visitors Center offers educational movies, self guided tours, seven aquaria displaying typical Texas coast habitats, and more.
QUICK LINKS...
