City Spotlight: Port Aransas

The Fishing Capital of Texas.

Published July 28, 2026

Port Aransas lies just east of Corpus Christi, a hop across the bay on Mustang Island. It’s colloquially known to many as Port A (though not to be confused with Port Arthur), and, like Texas’ other barrier island towns, it’s famous for coastal charm, incredible seafood, and some of the best fishing on the Gulf. But as the only inhabited town on Mustang Island, whose waters are home to more than 600 species of saltwater fish, only Port Aransas can boast the official title of Fishing Capital of Texas — prompting many Texans to claim this little town stands head and gills above its peers when it comes to saltwater adventures.

A Treasured History

Mustang Island is only about 18 miles long, but it’s been a site for explorers and shipping merchants since the early 19th century and was even a regular haunt for notorious pirates, including the infamous French buccaneer Jean Lafitte. (Legend has it that one of Lafitte’s treasure chests is still buried on the island to this day.) Commerce continued throughout the century, and around 1833, the foundation of what would become Port Aransas was settled under the name Sand Point, right in the pass called the Aranzazu Pass. By 1910, the villagers of Sand Point had adapted the name to Port Aransas, which had made a big name for itself in the sea turtle trade.

Port A’s economy mostly runs on tourism and fishing these days, but its incredible maritime history is on full display at the Port Aransas Museum. There you can take self-guided tours through the Eight Wonders of Port Aransas, which include a historic lighthouse, the Chapel on the Dunes, and an intricate insight into the thrilling world of tarpon fishing, one of the most extreme catch-and-release sports in the world (and one Port A has been at the forefront of for ages).

Island Eating

Of course, no trip to the Texas Gulf is complete without copious amounts of seafood. You can’t go wrong with any restaurant in Port Aransas, but Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill is a great place to start — it’s just across the street from the Port Aransas Museum. Its enormous menu has something for everyone (and the delicious hand-cut steaks are a perfectly acceptable option for landlubbers), but if it’s too much to pick from their intimidatingly long list of fresh-caught fish, go for the signature lemon parmesan flounder.

For a blend of coastal cuisine and Tex-Mex grub, check out La Playa Mexican Grille a few blocks southeast. It has all the familiar Tex-Mex plates you love from the mainland, many of which come with a Port Aransas flair: crabmeat enchiladas, blackened tuna tacos, and a crowd-favorite appetizer called the avocado crab nest, which is an avocado “on the half shell” stuffed with sautéed lump crab meat.

The Waters of Port Aransas

The real hook to Port Aransas is, undoubtedly, the saltwater. As the Fishing Capital of Texas, you can’t go wrong picking a spot to drop a line, but Horace Caldwell Pier is a local favorite. The elevated pier is more than 1,200 feet long and is never without an angler. Even if you’re just there to watch, you might see pros reel in hammerhead sharks or some beautiful kingfish.

And there’s plenty more for visitors and families looking for something a little more laid back — charter a dolphin cruise on the bay to see incredible sights at sunset with the salty breeze in your face. It’s the perfect way to wind down any trip to Port Aransas.

Port Aransas is also one of the big players in Texas’ underground surf scene. Here’s how the extreme sport arrived (and thrived) in Texas.