The 9 Best Beaches Near Houston

Houston is a world-class city with excitement on every corner, from famous BBQ restaurants to iconic historical sites, museums and parks, you'll never run out of attractions to enjoy.

Even with so much to experience downtown, it’s worth exploring some of the incredible beaches in Texas to make the most of your Texas vacation. These beaches range from sprawling and full of activities to more secluded and peaceful and with so many to choose from, it can be tough finding the best one for you.

This guide will help you discover the six best beaches near Houston to visit on your next vacation. Whether you want a beach with water sport rentals, activities for kids or something more relaxing and tranquil, this guide has everything you need to know about the nine best beaches in Houston today.

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Situated along Galveston Bay, the Sylvan Beach Park is one of the best Houston beaches that offers incredible scenery, full amenities and a great location close to downtown. With 32 acres of beach to explore, you can lounge in soft golden sand or take a swim in the gentle waves. The water is often fairly warm as well, making it a great place for families to swim and splash close to shore.

Walk along the scenic pier for some great photo opportunities or try your hand at fishing alongside the locals who frequent the pier daily. With a bait and rental shop nearby, this can be a fun new activity to try when visiting Houston.

Along with the beach itself, the park also features a number of amenities, including:

You’ll also find numerous nearby shops and restaurants to help complete your day.

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East Beach is located in Galveston and is only about an hour from Houston with regular traffic. However, the drive is well worth it as this beach contains a huge stretch of golden sand along with endless activities for all ages.

This is a perfect beach for families, along with groups of any age and there are tons of seasonal events like:

If you want to relax, you can rent umbrellas and lounge chairs for an idyllic day. You can also get more active with rentals for jet skis, parasails and boats of varying sizes. Parking can be found for free at a number of nearby locations or pay for closer parking to the beach. This beach also allows alcohol consumption, making it a great choice for older groups and special events.

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As one of the top Houston beaches for families, Stewart Beach is an essential coastal destination that all ages will love during their stay. Often topping local and nationwide lists as one of the best beaches for families, Stewart Beach has a number of amenities that make it stand out as a must-visit beach.

You’ll find an assortment of rental options for any activity, from reclining chairs and umbrellas to beach volleyball, boogie boards, plus other water activities and more. With a huge stretch of coastline, you'll be able to find a perfect spot to rest and relax, even on the crowded weekends. Also, alcohol is prohibited to ensure the beach stays family-friendly throughout the year.

You can park onsite for a fee or try to find free parking in the surrounding area if you don’t mind walking a bit. You can also easily walk to Galveston’s Seawall district, which has a number of shops, cafés and restaurants to explore during your vacation. If you wish to stay entirely on the beach, you’ll also have access to snack bars, restrooms and multiple seating areas as well.

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El Jardin Beach is a wonderfully secluded and often not very crowded beach with idyllic waves, soft sand and perfectly warm water that’s great to swim in throughout the year. Sunrises and sunsets are especially dramatic here and this cozy beach is a great place to relax and unwind. As one of the more peaceful beaches in the area, you can enjoy a day of sunbathing, light swimming and taking beautiful photos of the vast coastline.

Parking is free on weekdays and available at a low-cost on weekends and during certain events. If you’re looking for a calm and relaxing beach, El Jardin is one of the top Houston beaches to visit today.

istockphoto.com / Keith Dodson

Surfside Beach is a charming coastal town with a quaint 4-mile beach that features golden sand and perfect waves for beginning surfers and bodyboarders. Plus, you’ll find tons of seashells scattered along the sand, making it a great place for kids and adults alike to explore.

Enjoy sunbathing and scenic views or try your hand at some water sports like surfing or boogie boarding. With a nearby town full of rental shops, not to mention a number of great diners and boutique stores, Surfside Beach is the perfect day trip from Houston that you can't miss.

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The Kemah Boardwalk is a large boardwalk amusement park on the Gulf Coast that has an assortment of rollercoasters, rides, plus restaurants and shops. Enjoy kids’ rides along with steep rollercoasters, zip lines, plus classic carnival games and attractions. With access to Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, you’ll have amazing views at any hour, along with endless opportunities for everyone in your group.

This can be a great activity before or after your day at the beach and it’s one of the most popular Houston beach attractions in the area due to its endless opportunities and incredible coastal views.

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It’s a bit further away from Houston than others on this list, but Matagorda Beach is worth the exploration. Here, you’ll find 23 miles of beach located next to the Colorado River and another 35 miles of beach west of the river. That area’s only accessible by kayaking, canoeing or boating. And that in itself makes it incredibly special. It feels remote. There’s an RV park in Matagorda if you’re coming from a distance and want to stay overnight.

No matter where you go, you’ll find a mix of public and private property, with fishing, lots of wildlife and fun beachcombing to enjoy. West Beach is ideal for beachcombing because it has far fewer people and less traffic in general. Rent a kayak nearby, which you can do at the Matagorda Bay Nature Park or other commercial suppliers. The solitude of this beach is even better when you drive down to Mitchel’s Cut or the Sargent Beach, which is just a few miles further from the East side.

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Terramar Beach is a family-friendly community just a short drive from Houston that offers beach fun and more. It’s a coastal oasis with direct beach access. Dig your feet into the sand, walk the dunes and get into the water. If you want to spend time in the water but still have other things to do nearby, this is a fantastic destination.

The West End Marina & Restaurant offers a wide range of drinks and cuisine options. It also boasts waterfront views right out on the deck. You can also take a short drive to the Dos Vacas Meurtas Bird Sanctuary, the perfect choice for those who love birds. Or, head to Burnet Drive to check out Turtles About Town: MiShell, a fun sculpture near the marina.

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Jamaica Beach in Galveston is about an hour to the south, but certainly the ideal location to visit if you want a family-friendly, quiet place to call home. It’s a direct alternative to a traditional touristy beach. You can stay for the weekend by renting one of the canal homes or one of the higher-end hotels.

There are about 0.8 square miles of Gulf Shore to explore here. It’s accessible to the public along a long boardwalk. Many people come to fish or beachcomb, but you’ll also find that paddleboarding in the area is very common. You can also visit the West Bay area for even more fishing opportunities.

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