What is the closest NICE beach from here? (Austin, Galveston: rental, hotel)

[onegoodmom]

We want to plan a nice vacation (1 week) to a great resort with a beautiful beach. We are new here, so we don't know the best beaches to fly to. Would we be smarter to go to South Padre, Galveston, somewhere in Florida? If so, where? Thanks in advance. Also, names of resorts and beaches would be great.

[art_teacher_mom]

Ok, this is probably not going to be a popular answer. I am a native Texan and I do not care for Texas beaches. But if I had to choose, I would say South Padre over Galveston.
SP has whiter sand and less gunk (seaweed, natural debris, oil/tar) on the beach. You can also go over to Mexico from South Padre (short drive) and shop, eat, whatever.
But if money is no object, I would go to Florida. (Gonna go hide now.)

[jwb123]

Our family went down to Port Aransas last year and we really enjoyed it. I thought the beach was nice, and the area was family friendly.

[gigi927]

The Rockport State Beach park is super clean. No seaweed, and there are playscapes for the kids. It's not like a gorgeous Pacific coast beach,b ut it does the trick for a quick getaway.

[mimimomx3]

Definitely go to Florida.

[achtungpv]

If you plan 5 weeks in advance Viva Aerobus is running Austin to Cancun flights for $9.99 each way...after taxes it's around $150/roundtrip per head. We have ours booked for September. Go to their website to get the cheap fare...VivaAerobus - La aerolÃ*nea de bajo costo de México - Vuelos, Hoteles, Renta de autos

[Trainwreck20]

IF you want 'beautiful' beaches, go to Gulf Shores, Alabama, or Florida, or Cancun. Texas beaches are not generally considered 'beautiful' when compared to the clear water/white sand beaches elsewhere.

That said, Texas beaches are generally not crowded and are much cheaper. The water looks 'murky' in many places, but most of the southern coast water is very clean - the murk is the natural sand/soil that comes downstream on the rivers. We typically go to Pt. Aransas once a year (am going to schedule our annual trip later this week), and we have a great time there, as do the in-laws from the midwest. S. Padre has nicer water/beahes, but is considerably further away from Austin....

[Moonlady]

Well, I'll pretty much agree with what everyone has said so far. If you're going to plan a whole week at a beach, I'd pick either the resorts in Cancun or just about anywhere in Florida. Jet Blue just started service from Austin to Ft Lauderdale and SW flies into Ft Lauderdale and Ft Myers. We generally go to Port Aransas for a weekend, but we are going to be flying to Ft Myers next week for a week long vacation. The Florida panhandle beaches - Destin, Ft Walton, etc are really pretty as is Gulf Shores, AL, if you are planning for later in the summer. Just remember when making your plans that hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through November.

[MJinAustin]

I've lived in Texas for over 20 yrs and I have to say...if you've seen beaches in Florida and Hawaii, you'll think there are no nice beaches in Texas. Texas beaches are...different. Definitely don't bother with Galveston. Bulky seaweed full of flies covers those beaches. Gulf water is murky. South Padre's ok, but really....go to Florida or something. We had a lovely rental on Pawley's Island, South Carolina for a vacation...I'd suggest that over Texas beaches.

[Muhnay]

I like Port Aransas.