Sandy hotspots around the Bend

Time to put down the books and get out and have some fun in the sun. 

Here are five beaches just minutes from Corpus Christi to bum on during Spring Break. Each location has its own vibe for those looking for the perfect spot.

“Our maintenance crew begins preparing for the Spring Break season about two months in advance using front-end loader tractors to clear the beach area of debris and drain flooded and standing water areas,” said Callan Price, natural resources specialist for the Nueces County Coastal Parks (Balli Park). “They also ensure all facilities are in working order.”

1) NORTH BEACH 

North Beach is located across the Harbor Bridge and stretches about 1.5 miles along the coast from the Port of Corpus Christi to Nueces Bay. Bus service is provided to the area and although there is no car access on the beach itself, there is parking available, public restrooms and a boardwalk for walking, jogging, bicycling and skating. North Beach offers attractions such as the Lexington Museum on the Bay and the Texas State Aquarium and there are several hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops.

2) MCGEE BEACH

McGee Beach is located in downtown Corpus Christi in an area designated The Water’s Edge. With the recent rerouting of Shoreline Boulevard, there is safe crossing from the parking area to the beach. The area offers a playground and public restrooms. There is bus service to the area and plenty of hotels and restaurants nearby.

3) MUSTANG ISLAND

Mustang Island is a designated national park and cost $5 to enter its roughly 2 1/4 miles of pristine beachfront.

“This is a family friendly environment,” said Scott Taylor, park superintendent and state park police officer of Mustang Island State Park.

Mustang Island is a narrow beach with a parking area, public restrooms and a few cabanas. There is a rock jetty that extends out into the waters and seashells to beach comb.

4) WHITECAP BEACH

Seawall (Whitecap) Beach is a mile-long concrete pathway located left off of Whitecap Boulevard as you travel to Bob Hall Pier. There are public restrooms and hotels adjacent to the beach.

5) PADRE ISLAND

Padre Island is the barrier island that opens up to the Gulf Coast and offers Spring Breakers miles of white sandy beaches and rough waters for surfing, fishing and horseback riding. If driving on the beach, remember to get a parking permit. The Bob Hall Pier and Balli Park area has parking areas, public restrooms and cabanas. There is a $2 fee per person to walk on to Bob Hall Pier plus $2 per fishing pole. Want to fish but don’t have fishing equipment or bait? No worries, visitors can rent poles and buy bait there. Also, the Briscoe King Pavilion is nearby to rent for organized events and gatherings with a wooden boardwalk mazing through the wild dunes to the beach. 

“We are working hard to explore methods to restore the productivity of our coastal ecosystem while continuing to serve the public in providing a beautiful, clean, and treasured place for recreation,” Price said. “Beach-goers participating in the Spring Break frenzy, or anyone seeking the enjoyment of the Gulf beaches, please remember that the most important point of recreation experiences is that we have places like our beloved Texas beaches accessible for us to enjoy and appreciate.” 

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