what to do in corpus christi, texas
Hey y’all! You know we love our beach adventures in Texas. We have shared our adventures camping on Padre Island, but what about quick trips? You don’t have time to plan and pack for a camping trip, especially on the beach. This list will go over what we like to do in Corpus, where we like to stay, and a few things we pack for a fun beach trip.
what to do in corpus christi
White Cap Beach
This is a day use beach, you will need a beach parking pass which is $12. We bought our 2024 pass and it is good until December 31, 2024. You can buy them at HEB in Flour Bluff if you’re stopping to stock your cooler anyways, and you can get it at the stripes gas stations in the area. There’s also a stripes as you turn on White Cap off of Park Road 22.
We like to sit surf side and relax, boogie board, surf, surf fish, and catch mullet for bait with our cast net.
Packery Channel
Packery has a jetty that you can fish from. Buyer beware, some spots are super slick with moss so watch your step.
We have caught sharks, red, drum, catfish, ladyfish, pin fish, and more. Ask the local bait shops along Laguna Madre what’s biting and what rigs to use.
What to Eat
Some of our favorite restaurants I’ll list below. We don’t usually eat out a lot. When we get an airbnb, we usually stop at HEB in Flour Bluff on the way in. We grab easy bars and smoothies for breakfast. They have an awesome section for premade fresh foods when you walk in, sandwiches, salads, etc. And we always grab HEB house made chips and salsa. The salsa is in the produce section.
If you are already on the island and you need a grocery, Island Market is great place to grab what you need for your beach day. They have their own seasonings that are really good too.
Here are some of our favorite restaurants:
Doc’s Seafood
Pearl’s at Snoopy’s Pier
Snoopy’s Pier
Padre Island Burger Company
Brooklyn Pie Co.
Island Joe’s Coffee
Starbucks
Paddle Boarding & Fishing on Laguna Madre
The same intercostal turnaround that has the bait shops and a few of the restaurants listed above is a great place to paddle board or kayak. There is some good fishing here too.
USS Lexington
It is $5 to park and about $21 per adult and $15 per kid.
Texas Aquarium
It is $5 to park and $45 per adult and $35 per kid.
where to stay in corpus christi
If we aren’t camping, we generally like to stay in an airbnb. If we catch something we can cook it, we have a washer and dryer to keep things clean, and somewhere to relax after a long day in the sun.
One of our favorite areas to get an airbnb is off of Windward Dr. This is the road off of White Cap and you can walk across the street to the beach. There are a couple hotels there, a Wyndham is one of them. We haven’t like the quality of these in about a decade. Check out the reviews and you’ll see what I mean. But, if that’s what you prefer, you do you.
what to pack for corpus christi
There is a lot less to pack when we aren’t camping. Here is the extra things we pack on top of the basics:
Fishing Gear including bubbler bucket for live shrimp.
Paddle Boards
Surf Boards
Small Day Cooler (This is the one we have)
Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (Here is the one we use) I like this one because it sounds good and clear, and I can attach it to the paddle board or our day cooler.
Trash Bags
Clorox Wipes
Hand Wipes
Plastic Baggies, for any fish we catch and for packing food.
Reef Safe Sunblock. Click here for my favorite! Use this referral code and get it wholesale cost when you setup a free account.
Y’all come back now!