The Gulf-facing beach on Mustang Island stretches for 18 continuous miles, and the Port Aransas section is the most accessible and most visited part of it. The beach here is wide and sandy, with a gentle gradient that makes it safe for swimming in normal conditions. The water is warm from April through October, typically reaching the mid-80s Fahrenheit in summer.
Shelling is good along this stretch — especially after storms, which bring up cockles, whelks, and the occasional lightning whelk (the state shell of Texas). Dolphins work the surf zone regularly and are often visible from the beach without binoculars. The beach is free and accessible by driving from the ferry terminal east along Access Road 1A. Four-wheel-drive vehicles can drive on the beach itself in designated areas; a parks pass is required.