My daughter's first trip to the ocean! (Houston, San Antonio: buy, safe)

[no8fann]

Can anyone recommend a place to take my 12 year old for her first visit to the ocean? She loves beaches, but has only ever been to them along the Great Lakes. We are visiting my parents in Houston at the end of May, and I was hoping that she might actually be able to play in the ocean somewhere. Can anyone tell me if there is a clean, safe place for her to swim (would prefer that she not experience jellyfish up close and personal on her first trip in!)? We are up for places between Houston and Corpus - would prefer not to drive that far, if possible, but I really want this to be something she will always remember!

[DanielWayne]

If you are primarily looking at Texas upper coast - I think the Corpus area has nicer beaches. Mustang Island is one place. I know there are others. Check out #2:
America's Best Beach Towns - AOL Travel News

I wouldn't recommend Galveston beaches for the first time experience. Galveston has some neat stuff (more interesting stuff for grown-ups to do), but a lot of it is also run down. Maybe someone else can chime in about other beaches further down the Tx coast.

[no8fann]

Originally Posted by DanielWayne

If you are primarily looking at Texas upper coast - I think the Corpus area has nicer beaches. Mustang Island is one place. I know there are others. Check out #2:
America's Best Beach Towns - AOL Travel News

I wouldn't recommend Galveston beaches for the first time experience. Galveston has some neat stuff (more interesting stuff for grown-ups to do), but a lot of it is also run down. Maybe someone else can chime in about other beaches further down the Tx coast.

Thank you for the input! I will check those out!

[miche111e]

We loved going to North Padre Island National Seashore. It's just the other direction from Mustang Island.
You buy a $10 pass that lasts a week, or a $20 pass that lasts a year. They do occasional turtle releases and nature walks/talks each day by park rangers. I miss it!
Have fun!!

[no8fann]

Thank you! Can anyone tell me anything about Aransas?

[Willsson]

Should you decide to stick with the Galveston journey, you might get other better detail by inquiring in the Houston forum. Back in my day we'd journey to Galveston most every weekend. However, once reaching the seawall we'd head west, nearly to the west end of the island. Actually, we'd take back streets to cut down the drive but I'll not go into that here.

The seawall runs out and then the drive is just a regular road. From time to time there were sand roads that would access the beach. The sand is better, generally less crowded, no facilities. The best beach would be the last road before San Luis Pass. I have no idea what you'd find there today.

It's generally considered that the best beach in Texas would be Padre Island, the further south, the better the beach. But that would mean Harlingen. And an airplane. In which case you'd be better off headed to Florida.

[miche111e]

Good point!! Houston might have a lot of advice!

[no8fann]

We don't mind the distance - we will likely be in TX for 8-10 days, and are planning a trip to San Antonio for a couple days and the beach for a couple (maybe 3?) days. Distance from Houston is not a factor, as long as it's not more than a 4-5 hour drive; anything longer than that is just wasting precious vacation time! =)

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by no8fann

Can anyone recommend a place to take my 12 year old for her first visit to the ocean? She loves beaches, but has only ever been to them along the Great Lakes. We are visiting my parents in Houston at the end of May, and I was hoping that she might actually be able to play in the ocean somewhere. Can anyone tell me if there is a clean, safe place for her to swim (would prefer that she not experience jellyfish up close and personal on her first trip in!)? We are up for places between Houston and Corpus - would prefer not to drive that far, if possible, but I really want this to be something she will always remember!

Port Aransas for a 12 year old.

[no8fann]

Originally Posted by Metro Matt

Port Aransas for a 12 year old.

Can you give me a little more than that? What is there that would make it better than the other places? I have been looking at it, but I can't get any really solid information.