The Best Brownsville Texas Beaches Guide: Where & What To Do

October 3rd, 2024 by

Best Beaches in Brownsville Texas

From driving down the beach in your Hyundai Santa Cruz to fishing, kayaking, or stargazing, there are tons of fun things to do at all the Brownsville Texas beaches. 

That’s why we’ve put together this guide! We’ll talk about the top Brownsville Texas beaches, where to find them, and what to do while you’re there. 

New Hyundai Palisade in Brownsville Used Trucks in Brownsville

Beaches Near Brownsville

Although Brownsville isn’t directly on the coast, it’s close enough that you can access several white sand Brownsville Texas beaches. With its subtropical climate, Brownsville beaches have visitors from near and far all year round. 

It helps that there are tons of things to do and explore at each of these beaches–from watching for rare birds to swimming in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re looking to have some fun in the sun, here are our top picks for beaches near Brownsville! 

Boca Chica Beach

You’ve probably never heard of this Brownsville beach unless you’re a native to southern Texas. But trust us when we say you don’t want to miss this one. Boca Chica Beach is an eight-mile stretch of pristine white sand beach along the Gulf. While it can get a little bit busy at times, Boca Chica Beach is often quite empty, leaving you with miles of space to play. 

At the southernmost end of the beach, you’ll find the estuary where the Rio Grande empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Across the river, you’ll catch a glimpse of Mexico. However, there’s a wall here that separates the two countries, extending about thirty feet into the ocean. 

One thing to note: if you’re looking for a beach with amenities like showers, bathrooms, and vendors, there are other beaches better suited to you. Boca Chica Beach is undeveloped with only a few homes nearby. But, if you like your pick of the sand and a view of clear, green water, Boca Chica Beach won’t disappoint.

Boca Chica Beach is located on Highway 4, about thirty to forty minutes from Brownsville. Take the highway all the way to the end and you’ll come to the beach. There’s no parking lot, but you can park right where you set up. Make sure you bring a vehicle that can handle the sand–whether it’s a truck or a Hyundai Santa Cruz from Tipton Hyundai. The sand can shift, causing vehicles without four wheel drive to get stuck. 

Things to Do: 

  • Fishing: Both pro and amateur anglers alike love to surf fish here for red drum, speckled trout, flounder, and jack crevalle. 
  • Swimming: The water here is gentle, making it a great Brownsville beach for swimming and playing in the water. 
  • Stargazing: Because Boca Chica Beach is so undeveloped, views of the night sky are unmatched. Just make sure you don’t try to spend the night, as camping is prohibited. 
  • Bird watching: Brownsville and the areas nearby are known as havens for rare and endangered species of birds. Boca Chica Beach is a particularly wonderful spot for avian enthusiasts as hundreds of species of birds pass over the area for migrations. 

Warnings and Tips:

  • No alcohol is allowed on Boca Chica Beach. 
  • Only street-licensed vehicles are allowed on the beach. No off-road vehicles. 
  • No overnight camping.
  • Watch out for jellyfish and Portuguese Man o’ War after storms. 
  • Keep dogs leashed at all times. 
  • Don’t leave trash behind. Bring your own bags to clean up after yourself. 
  • Don’t feed wildlife. 

Andy Bowie Park

Located on the northern end of South Padre Island, Andy Bowie Park is another one of the best Brownsville Texas beaches to check out. Unlike Boca Chica Beach, Andie Bowie Park is a bit more developed, with a beachside covered pavilion, full RV hookups, restrooms and showers, picnic tables, playgrounds, and a boardwalk to the beach. 

Although Andy Bowie Park is on the very popular South Padre Island, this beach is tranquil and not overcrowded. The white sand is soft and fine, and there’s lots of beach to explore. Andie Bowie Park costs $10 for a day pass or $45 per night for an RV spot. The beach is about forty-five to fifty minutes from Brownsville by taking Highway 48 and turning east onto Highway 100.

Things to Do: 

  • Camping: With all its RV hookups, Andie Bowie Park is one of the best RV camping spots in this part of the state. The area is peaceful and perfect for families looking to get away from the hustle and bustle. 
  • Explore the dunes: The dunes surrounding this Brownsville beach are part of the island’s natural landscape and can be explored on foot. Walking along the trails or venturing through the dunes offers stunning views of the beach and the Gulf of Mexico. 
  • Relax by the beach: Lie in the sun while your kids play in the water. The beach is over ten miles long, which means it’s easy to find an uncrowded spot. 
  • Beachcombing: Because Andie Bowie Park is fairly undisturbed, the beach is great for shelling and beachcombing. You’ll find a variety of seashells, seaweed, and other interesting things that have washed up on shore. The best time to find treasures is early morning after the tide goes out. 

Warnings and Tips:

  • Although it costs $10 to park, you can save that money by parking at the entrance. You’ll just have to walk about ten minutes to the beach with all your stuff. 
  • If you drive on the beach, it must be a street-licensed vehicle. Make sure you have four wheel drive so you don’t get stuck in the sand. 
  • Be careful in the water. There is a riptide. 

Isla Blanca Beach

Located at the southern tip of South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Beach is one of the most popular and well-developed beach destinations on South Padre Island. The beach is about thirty minutes from Brownsville and is a favorite spot since it has a wide range of activities, beautiful scenery, and ample amenities. This Brownsville beach has two large pavilions, food and beach rental services, and tons of parking. There are over 600 RV hookups, though you’ll want to reserve one in advance, as well as tent and cabana rentals. You’ll also find trails for walking, jetties for surf fishing, and boat ramps. 

In addition to the amenities provided by the park, there are a number of rental options for water sports like jet skiing. There’s also a ton of restaurants nearby, though you can bring your own food and grill it up on one of the many grills. 

Unlike the other Brownsville Texas beaches, this one gets crowded. The busiest times of year are during spring break and from June to August. You’ll find early morning and late afternoon bring smaller crowds and more space to relax. It costs $12 to enter the park, and you can get here from Brownsville by taking Highway 48, and turning east onto Highway 100. 

Things to Do:

  • Swimming and sunbathing: Isla Blanca Beach has beautiful white sands and warm, clear waters, making it perfect for swimming and wading. The beach is wide and clean, and lifeguards are typically on duty. 
  • Fishing at the jetties: Isla Blanca Park is famous for its long jetties, which extend out into the ocean, offering some of the best fishing on South Padre Island. Anglers can catch a variety of species like redfish, trout, snook, and tarpon. 
  • Barbecue: Isla Blanca has a number of picnic tables, pavilions, and BBQ grills available for public use, making it a great spot for a family gathering. 
  • Water sports: This beach offers a wide variety of rental equipment for water sports, including jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides. It’s always a good idea to check availability and make reservations in advance if you’re coming during peak season. 
  • Beach volleyball: Play volleyball at one of the many beach volleyball courts. The wide, open beach provides plenty of space for both organized and impromptu matches. 

Warnings and Tips:

  • Make sure to bring your Texas fishing license if you plan to fish. 
  • If you bring dogs, watch out for stickers on the ground as there can be a lot. 
  • No wood fires are allowed within the park. 
  • Watch out for jellyfish!

Adventure is Waiting for You in Brownsville

Brownsville is a charming city with beautiful beaches nearby. If you feel the call to adventure–whether that’s surf fishing, jet skiing, or beach camping, you’ll need a fitting ride to take you on your journey. At Tipton Hyundai in Brownsville, we have a huge inventory of new, used, and certified pre-owned Hyundai vehicles. We serve the entire area including McAllen, Weslaco, Harlingen, and more! As the leading Hyundai dealer in Brownsville, we’re here to help you find the right car for your next adventure. Come check us out today!

New Hyundai Cars For Sale Brownsville Hyundai Parts and Accessories

Posted in Brownsville, TX