Are Area Beaches Nice? (Corpus Christi, Port Aransas: military, aquarium, buildings)

[theary11]

Is the water a clear blue or green? Is the sand a nice color?
I've read a few disparaging theads about how dirty and murky the ocean water is along the Texas coast. I would have thought Texas, being so far south and fronting the Gulf of Mexico, would have really nice beaches. Any thoughts? I know the water can be murky in the surf zone, but how about beyond the waves, is the water a nice clear blue color?

[CalallenMom]

Originally Posted by theary11

Is the water a clear blue or green? Is the sand a nice color?
I've read a few disparaging theads about how dirty and murky the ocean water is along the Texas coast. I would have thought Texas, being so far south and fronting the Gulf of Mexico, would have really nice beaches. Any thoughts? I know the water can be murky in the surf zone, but how about beyond the waves, is the water a nice clear blue color?

To be perfectly honest, no. I'm a little shocked when people DO compliment our beaches because I'm always wondering, "are they seeing the same water I am"? My husband has a friend who was in the military and he says they use our ocean specifically for dive-training because it's so murky, uck! He (my husband) was also telling me the other day that because of the way our current flows, the Gulf of Mexico collects everyone elses sediments, garbage, etc. This goes for out in the ocean, specifically, too since that's what you're asking about.

[awecelot]

Originally Posted by theary11

Is the water a clear blue or green? Is the sand a nice color?
I've read a few disparaging theads about how dirty and murky the ocean water is along the Texas coast. I would have thought Texas, being so far south and fronting the Gulf of Mexico, would have really nice beaches. Any thoughts? I know the water can be murky in the surf zone, but how about beyond the waves, is the water a nice clear blue color?

The Gulf is VERY shallow for a good distance out - it doesn't quickly deepen like the Pacific Ocean off the Northern California coast does. Because of this, the water is murky in any area accessible to the casual beachgoer.

[awecelot]

Originally Posted by CalallenMom

because of the way our current flows, the Gulf of Mexico collects everyone elses sediments, garbage, etc. This goes for out in the ocean, specifically, too since that's what you're asking about.

Sort of...the sediments from the Mississippi River end up in the Delta region and points to the West (the Louisiana, Texas, and Northern Mexico coasts). That's why water on the Texas Gulf Coast is murkier than the water on the Florida Gulf Coast.

I wish I could have found a better picture than this one, but nevertheless, note the amount of sediments from roughly the Mississippi/Louisiana border to just below the US/Mexico border compared to the sediments on the other side of the Gulf:



Image from: World Guide - Satellite Image - SeaWiFS: Mississippi sediments in the Gulf of Mexico

[CrazyScaryWhiteGirl23]

Go to New Jersey, or Maryland.. You will have a new appreciation for Corpus Christi beaches.. I'm sure!

[SOM]

CC beaches are not that nice....murky water, most of the time, more trash and flotsam than there should be.

However, having said that, I *love* our beaches! Yes, there are better beaches, but just by virtue of being a *beach* our beaches are better than 99% of the places on earth!

The Bay tends to be prettier, as far as the water goes....always changing, sometimes blue, sometimes green, sometimes gray.

If you visit, make sure to go to the Island, and not just the beaches on the Bay. I never swim or go the Bay beaches, always go out to the Island.

[txsizzler]

Although the waters here are rather murky with the sand and what not, there are "nice" beaches here. Padre Island National Seashore, Port Aransas come to mind. And yes, I do get out in the water on both beaches!


Ian

[CTR36]

I love Port Aransas and Mustang Island. We will be visiting there this Memorial Day Weekend. We also love to go to the Aquarium and Woody's to go fishing and dolphin watching
Love Corpus

[changeofpace]

The beaches in Port Aransas and North Padre Island are great and not as crowded as Florida beaches so you can actually walk along them and find a place to sit or lay and relax.

[Alatex]

I'd like to see more photos of the area beaches (not necessarily buildings or people, but the actual sand and water).