15 Best Beaches Near Austin, TX: Lakes & Ocean Escapes
Do you long for a warm and sunny vacation in Austin?
The world’s live music capital has access to various sandy waterfront hangouts while not being a beach resort.
Austin is bordered by many breathtaking beaches, from lakeside locations to seaside coves.
Make travel arrangements and look over our list of the top beaches close to Austin, Texas.
- Balmorhea State Park
This 46-acre park has been open since 1968 and draws visitors with its beautiful, spotless spring-fed pool.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Wish to get away from the Texas heat?
Spend a weekend in Balmorhea State Park as a favor to yourself.
This park will provide a relaxing experience because of its crystal clear and cool water. It is home to one of the largest spring-fed pools in the entire globe.
Its 1.3-acre, 3,5-million-gallon pool allows you to swim and scuba dive for hours here.
In this park, you can also unwind under the shady trees.
Since it takes 5 hours to drive 394 miles to get there from Austin, we advise that you stay a weekend in this state park.
Expert Tip
If you’re not an expert swimmer, wear a life vest.
There isn’t a lifeguard on duty in this state park, and the pool can become as deep as 25 feet.
Join the park’s educational ranger programs to learn more about the history and wildlife of the area.
- Boca Chica State Park
This Gulf Coast state park offers white sand beaches and dunes on more than 10,000 acres.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Boca Chica is a great getaway place near Austin.
When visiting this park, you can enjoy ocean-related activities, including kiteboarding, surfing, swimming, and snorkeling.
In the park, you may also see birds or simply unwind by the water.
We advise you to stay in this state park for at least a few days.
Boca Chica is located 5 hour’s drive from Austin, just like Balmorhea. Therefore, a day trip to this state park is not advised.
Expert Tip
The amenities of Boca Chica are scarce. Therefore, in any outdoor activity, you engage in, carry your equipment.
For your comfort and protection, bring plenty of food, water, bug repellant, a first-aid kit, sunscreen, and other necessities.
- Crystal Beach
This beachside region on the Bolivar Peninsula stretches for around 27 miles and is a well-liked retreat in Texas.
Why We Recommend This Beach
There are numerous activities available at Crystal Beach for tourists of all ages.
On this beach, you can spend the weekend collecting shells and shark teeth, making sand castles, boogie boarding, surfing, and fishing.
You can also enjoy the sun or take part in beach activities.
Expert Tip
In Crystal Beach, you won’t just hear the seductive sound of the waves smashing.
After a long day of surfing, enjoy some fantastic live music at HardHeads Icehouse & Grill or Stingaree Restaurant and Marine.
- Lake Pflugerville Park
This 14-acre park in Pflugerville is the closest beach to Austin, 21.6 miles away.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Looking for local lake beaches that are family-friendly?
Why not visit Lake Pflugerville Park for the day?
The closest beach to Austin is safest for kids due to its lack of waves and shallow waters.
Additionally, the park provides fishing, windsurfing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Expert Tip
Since the shoreline is composed of gravel rather than sand, wear water shoes to protect your feet.
It also offers kayak rentals.
- Emma Long Metropolitan Park
This beachfront hangout, located along Lake Austin, offers swimming year-round.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Emma Long Metropolitan Park is your best bet if you’re looking for lovely beaches in Austin.
Visitors and residents of Austin can swim in this lake’s calm, clean water, which is always open.
Additionally, there are grills, picnic tables, campgrounds, hiking trails, and boat access.
Expert Tip
Early starters can avoid crowds and escape the Texas afternoon heat.
Spend time observing the park’s fauna and wildflowers, such as bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes.
- Volente Beach Water Park
This vibrant aquatic wonderland offers more than 4 acres of splashy enjoyment and is tucked away near Lake Travis.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The Volente Beach Water Park has a lot going on.
It has a bustling boutique water park in addition to a sandy beach close to Austin.
You can find many waterslides, a kiddie play area with a pirate theme, a volleyball court, and a restaurant as you explore the water park.
Expert Tip
The waterpark is a little bit further from the authorized parking area.
We advise you to pull up at the entrance and unload some of your belongings because of this.
Then, leave your car in one of the permitted parking areas or on Dodd Street.
- Rockport Beach
The first “Blue Wave Beach” in Texas is this beachfront retreat in Rockport.
Why We Recommend This Beach
One of our favorite weekend beach visits from Austin is to Rockport.
It’s the nicest swimming beach in the neighborhood, with low surf and perfect seas.
Kids can even swim and play in a saltwater lagoon.
Additionally, the beach hosts several festivals and events all year round.
We suggest going to the beach for a weekend getaway since it’s three hours from Austin.
Expert Tip
Check out some of Rockport’s great activities to liven up your weekend.
Visit the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, go birdwatching, or stroll through Rockport’s historic downtown.
- Pace Bend Park
Over 8 miles of Lake Travis shoreline make Pace Bend Park a great getaway from Austin.
Why We Recommend This Beach
All the luxuries for an enjoyable and restful beach getaway are available at Pace Bend Park.
There are fishing coves, a boat ramp, a rope swing, bike and hiking routes, geocaching locations, and boat ramps.
Of course, it is a fantastic location for cliff jumping and has many swimming rooms.
Expert Tip
You ought to think about spending the night in this park.
This park, a well-liked camping location, offers ideal conditions for s’mores and stargazing.
- Mustang Island State Park
One of the popular beaches in the area is located in this 3,954-acre park, established in 1979.
Why We Recommend This Beach
This island offers plenty of space for sandy and sunny fun with over five kilometers of coastline.
You may unwind on the beach, stroll through the natural park, watch birds, and go fishing in the water.
Spend the weekend at one of the drive-up primitive campsites for an unforgettable getaway.
Expert Tip
Visit Corpus Christi to make your weekend getaway more exciting.
You can easily and quickly drive from Mustang Island to this mid-sized town.
The area offers various intriguing attractions and excellent seafood, like the Texas State Aquarium.
- Russell Park
Russell Park Beach is located 45 minutes from Austin on the western shore of Lake Georgetown.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The park’s swimming area and pebble beach are sure to please visitors.
The park is also a well-liked destination for camping, motorcycling, hiking, and sunbathing.
There are lots of smallmouth bass, flathead catfish, and white bass for anglers to catch.
Expert Tip
Visit the Georgetown Historic Downtown to enhance your experience further.
Thanks to its wonderfully preserved medieval buildings, it is a fantastic and Insta-worthy location for a stroll.
- Padre Island National Seashore
This 1962-created national beach includes more than 65 miles of pristine Gulf sand.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Nature enthusiasts will adore Padre Island.
The park is serene and unspoiled, with 70 miles of unspoiled coastline, prairies, dunes, and tidal wind flats teeming with species.
The park has over 370 bird species and contains historical beauties.
Did we also mention that it is one of Texas’ most beautiful beaches?
Expert Tip
Austin is 4 hours away by car from Padre Island.
Therefore, we advise guests to remain for the night or the entire weekend.
There are many campgrounds nearby, including the Malaquite campground, which is one of our favorites.
- Secret Beach
This beach, located in Roy G. Guerrero Park, is a remarkable and underappreciated tourist destination in Austin.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Swimming is not permitted on this isolated beach.
Still, it’s worthwhile to visit because of its serene and restoring atmosphere.
The journey there is an experience in and of itself, and the beach is ideal for outdoor activities like frisbee and picnics.
Expert Tip
Whenever you visit this beach, put on a pair of hiking boots.
Flip-flops won’t work because of the steep downhill climb to the beach.
- Sandy Creek Park
This 25-acre park, tucked away in a serene nook of Lake Travis, is a fantastic day excursion for Austin beachgoers.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The perfect day trip from Austin has all the makings of becoming Sandy Creek Park.
A beach is a great place for swimming despite being a little rough.
Additionally, it’s ideal for stunning nature walks, bird watching, camping, and fishing.
A Pro Tip
Feel free to explore the local attractions if you feel like one trip to this park won’t be enough.
Brushy Creek Regional Trail, Quarry Splash Pad, and Cedar Bark Park are favorites.
- North Beach
This weekend escape from Austin is close to the downtown area of Corpus Christi and offers various family-friendly attractions.
Why We Recommend This Beach
This Corpus Christi seaside location is brimming with fun activities.
In addition to its 1.5 miles of beach, it offers a few fishing jetties and a playground for kids.
Its location as the home of the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium is much greater.
Expert Tip
Enjoy the Ferris wheel at Fajitaville to see some breathtaking panoramas of Corpus Christi’s skyline.
Then, proceed to Fajitaville Seafood & Burgers’ second level to indulge in some mouthwatering fare.
- Pedernales Falls State Park
This 5,212-acre park, one of the fascinating short beach getaways from Austin, is situated along the Pedernales River.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Pedernales Falls must be included on any list of the top beaches close to Austin, Texas.
This park seems far away, even though Austin is less than an hour away.
It is a welcome respite from your hectic daily life with its sandy beach, magnificent scenery, and cool cascades.
Expert Tip
After beach fun, visit the park and its other features.
You can go fishing, mountain biking, hiking, or camping in this lush park.
In addition, you might see other animals like deer and armadillos in the park.
