Gulf Coast & South Texas - Texas - page 561

Port Aransas (ah- ran -ziss), or Port A, on the northern tip of Mustang Island, is in many
ways the most appealing beach town on the Texas coast. It is small enough that you can
ride a bike or walk anywhere, but large enough that it has lots of activities and nightlife.
The pace is very relaxed, and activities are dominated by hanging out on the beach, fish-
ing and doing nothing.

Sights
Port A can be your base, or a stop on a looping drive around the bay.

Beaches
Port A has 18 miles of silvery white beaches on the gulf side of Mustang Island. You can
drive and park on the sand, thought you may require a permit; the main access point is via
Beach St (try to remember that) to the county-run IB Magee Beach Park ( 361-749-6117;
www.nuecesbeachparks.com ; Beach St) . The park has rest rooms, the Horace Caldwell fishing pier
and seasonal concession stands.

BEACH

Port Aransas Museum
( 361-749-3800; www.portaransasmuseum.org ; 101 E Brundrett St; 1-5pm Thu-Sat) Volunteers
make this small museum a delightful place to learn the history of Port A, from sand (when
this was just a barrier island) to sea (when the residents were professional fishers) to sand
and sea (when the economy was based on fishing and beachgoing for fun).

MUSEUM

University of Texas Marine Science Institute
( 361-749-6806; www.utmsi.utexas.edu ; 750 Channelview Dr; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri year-round, 10am-5pm Sat
May-Aug) The tiny school's visitor center has views of the busy shipping channel and
exhibits about dunes, sand, fish and of course the myriad local bird species.

MUSEUM

Nature Preserves
( 361-749-4158; Ross Ave & Port St; dawn-dusk) The city runs two birding centers that
share views over the bird-filled marshes and salt flats on the east side of town. There are
two points of access and you can wander over 2 miles of boardwalks and partake in the
feathery spectacle from observation decks and towers.

NATURE RESERVE

San José Island

ISLAND