Family beach ideas/areas? (Corpus Christi, Galveston: car rental, spring break, rentals)

[txbugaboo]

Our family would like to go to a TX beach this year for vacation. In the past, we've gone to Gulf Shoes, AL - but we moved to TX this summer and would love a shorter drive. We're not so much into the "tourist" aspect of it, we would just prefer a house on the beach and lots of sand castles & body surfing. Can anyone recommend some areas/beaches that would be good? We'd love to watch a sea turtle nest, so if you know of a beach that has lots of sea turtle activity, that would be great also. Our kids are 11, 10, 8 & 5 - if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

Edited to add: I said we're not into the "tourist" aspect - but that's not 100% right. We aren't interested in the go-kart places, etc. but places like historic lighthouse tours, etc we would be interested in. Thanks!

[snappy]

When we had winter visitors(from cold climates) we would take them to Corpus Christie area. The kids would even swim in the water. Of course they were the only ones in it (from Canada!!) The beaches were nice white sand and pretty deserted at that time of year.

[EasilyAmused]

The closest nice beaches are in Gulf Shores. Sorry.
Anything west of the Mississippi is N A S T Y.

[Poltracker]

Head down to Padre Island. Galveston is still a bit of a wreck right now.

[westres1]

Galveston is alot of fun and will be again when it recovers. It has Schlitterbaun,the strand and sea wolfe park with ww2 ship and submarine but no go carts or lighthouses. Port Aransas is nice and they have go carts and electric car rentals to drive around on the beach. Padre is as far as Gulf Shores and they were hit pretty hard by Dolly.
Texas beaches are far from nasty they are quite enjoyable. We routinly see dolphins and last weekend we helped with the beach recovery project to re build the dunes. The kids learned alot about the various grasses on the dunes then had a scavenger hunt to find various types of shells,sea beans and other objects. It was hosted by artist boat. They give kayak eco tours in the bay.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Here is a listing of Texas beaches. Keep in mind, many are still recovering from Hurricane Ike.
Texas Beaches - Texas' Best Beaches

[Topaz]

Last summer we had a fabulous time at Coral Cay in Port Aransas. My children are a bit younger than your children but probably all children love playing at the beach. We got all kinds of advice about how mediocre the area is but we went anyway and we were really glad because we had a very nice time. The sand was clean if a bit on the brown side and the water had some silt in it but was perfectly fine. Every other week my children ask to go back.

[texas7]

South Padre (although very touristy - don't go during Spring Break) is about the best beach in Texas and home to a sea turtle sanctuary that you can tour. Check out Sea Turtle, Inc. South Padre Island Texas Live Sea Turtle Cam Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Rescue They also have a schlitterbahn for your kids too (not nearly as big as New Braunfels but kids will still like it)

[Muhnay]

Port Connor, because its a quiet little town and not very tourist like... Port Aransas, but a bit more tourist like.

[oceangaia]

I won't say Texas beaches are nasty, and the ones at South Padre are nice, but they simply do not compare to Gulf Shores. You aren't going to have the sugar white sand or the water clarity. Gulf Shores is about 8 hours from my house, compared to 3 hours for Corpus and 7 for S Padre. But once you are driving, what's another few hours and $20 in gas to have a much nicer beach? At least that's how I look at it.