Port Aransas in Nov or Dec? (Houston, Galveston: camping, live, beach)

[chicagomama]

I have some relatives that might be coming down for Thanksgiving or Christmas or maybe even in January (from Chicago to escape winter for a couple of weeks). I was thinking it would be fun to do a weekend on a beach. Even if it's not super-warm, it'll still beat the snow!

What is the weather like from Nov-Jan? Rainy/dry? What kind of temps? We are in Houston now- is it pretty much the same? Can the kids play on the beach during this time? Any other fun things to do? Thanks!

[hellpaso]

It should be pretty much like Houston--60s to 80s. Keep in mind that some places might be closed--but that also means everything that's open should be readily accessible. I've been there in November, and it's pretty deserted. If you're in Houston, you might want to consider Galveston, where they'll be having Dickens on the Strand, etc. during the holidays--quite a bit more to do than in Port A.

[ohmanon]

The weather was gorgeous and the beaches were sparkling in CC and Pt. Aransas last October but that was before the first cold front blew in. Even though it might warm up, it's the chill of the wind that can get ya, similar to Galveston in the winter. Sometimes kids are oblivious to the cold, especially if they're used to it so they might be able to play on the beach - water would be cold though. I used to try to go to the beach on days where the sun was out but would end up having to sit in the car so I'd say it's not real dependable. It is normally warmer around South Padre Island (Pt. Isabel area) if they were up to the 6-7 hour drive from Houston (probably not doable for just a weekend). Also, I would think the Corpus area would probably have holiday events going on. They used to have a lighting of the boats around November or December, can't recall for sure.

[CherryMagic]

I actually went tent/remote camping - 2010 -Thanksgiving week before a artic blast headed down, and it was warm (70s) and not many people out except the fishermen. It also got pretty "sweaty" in the tent that night, and the wind almost blew the tent down. Water was too cold to swim in, but the sun, and the spirit that is Padre, was alive and well. Found enough driftwood, and spare wood to build a nice campfire that night too.
The beach (read - sand) had changed, the sand had drifted into large mounds, there was a lot of seaweed down there, so take a rake. Still - 4 WD is preferred.
Good luck - and enjoy the beauty of Padre Island/Mustang Island and the Port Aransas area.
Cherry Magic

[CptnRn]

Here are the historic averages. Intellicast - Port Aransas Historic Weather Averages in Texas (78373)

We have often experiences some nice winter days down there but it is unpredictable.

[Kibby]

I spend every Thanksgiving in the Corpus area - weather is usually great. Rates drop in Port A about Nov 1 - keep that in mind if you go for reservations somewhere. They are slow to put the info up, so you might have to ask.