San José Island Beach

This off-the-beaten-track beach is nestled on its own secluded island. To get here, you’ll need to park at Port Aransas and then hop on the ferry to reach San Jose’s warm waters and caramel-coloured sands. Early-risers will be happy to know that the first boat leaves at 6:30 am, but the last one back to the mainland is at 6:10 pm, so do keep an eye on the time to make sure you don’t get stranded overnight.

After stepping off of the ferry, you’ll be able to enjoy your own little spot of paradise that is typically uncrowded. This is more of a nature lover’s destination with 600 different species of fish and 300 different species of birds calling this island home. 

It’s a privately owned island, so don’t expect to find your usual beach amenities here. No small shops to stock up on ice or refreshments, no outdoor showers to wash away the sand, and most importantly, no restrooms.

Boasting 21 miles of undisturbed golden sand, San José Island is a collector’s resource for beautiful and unique seashells including lightning whelks, shark eyes, sand dollars, starfish, angel wings, and more.

In case you’re in the mood to catch dinner, bring along your fishing rod. This area is known as the “Fishing Capital of Texas” so some of the best angling can be done from the rocky edges of the North Jetty. Cast your lines for Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder and more.

After a day of soaking in the natural beauty, head back to Port Aransas on the ferry for some shopping and dining. Port ‘A’, as the locals call it is always bustling with fun and family-friendly things to do, and there are plenty of places to stay to suit all budgets, from cosy cottages, to motel rooms and private beach homes.