As a city on Mustang Island along the Texas coast, Port Aransas offers plenty of time for lounging on the beach and soaking up some rays. But if you’re a more active vacationer, there’s no shortage of activities that will put your muscles to work.

From kayaking to golfing to beachside yoga, my last visit to Port Aransas was a terrific workout. Follow along and pick your favorites to make your next trip to the city full of adventure. 

Kayaking on the Bay

The first item on the agenda jumped right into the water with a guided sunset kayak tour.

Hector Rios has led kayakers for over 25 years as the founder of Coastal Bend Kayaking. Coastal Bend offers kayak rentals to go out on your own, though the guided tour is far more educational. Hector is quite knowledgeable about the birds and marine life in the area and will call out interesting sights like barnacles, oysters, turtles, and features of the homes you paddle by.

And you do get quite up close and personal with these waterside homes. If the residents are out and about, they’re happy to chat. If those residents have dogs, you will witness excited tail wagging like you’ve never seen. At one point, I was convinced a dog was about to join me for the rest of the trip. I’m not sure I could have said no.

The whole adventure is about three hours, which is plenty of time for a great workout. The water is calm enough that you won’t feel seasick, and the gentle waves can give a push in the right direction when you need to rest your arms for a bit. In the meantime, admire the names of docked boats you pass, and you might even see a fish leap out of the water and over your kayak, landing with a satisfying splash on the other side (and surely perfect 10 scores from the aquatic judges).

A rude cloud came in at the 11th hour and blocked the majority of the sunset, but we didn’t let that get us down. It was a very serene and picturesque evening, and you’ll sleep like a log when you return to your lodging. 

One final tip: Wear closed-toe water shoes and ditch your socks. You’ll be walking into the water to get into your kayak, and having wet cotton clinging to your feet the whole trip is not ideal.

A Unique Golf Course in Port Aransas

Before this trip to Port Aransas, my golfing experience was a month of lessons as a kid, a half-dozen trips to Top Golf, and the occasional dip into mini-golf. In other words, I had never played on a legitimate course before. And Palmilla Beach is about as gorgeous a course as you can imagine.

Palmilla Beach, which was originally designed by golfing (and beverage) legend Arnold Palmer, is the only true links-style course in Texas. This type of course is built along coastal dunes and sprawling parklands and is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, and England. 

Palmilla Beach sports a nine-hole, par-32 main course, which you can play up to twice. There’s also a bonus three holes known as “The Loop,” giving the most passionate golfers up to 21 holes to play through. On the main course, the fourth, fifth, and sixth holes give you a glorious view of the sandy beach and the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll be forgiven if you forget to take your shot because you’re admiring the horizon.

Each reservation includes a complimentary hour at the driving range before your tee time and a golf cart. It’s highly satisfying to cruise alongside the links as you progress through the holes, and the carts also provide unique vantage points for finding a ball you may have shanked. There’s a mobile beverage cart that cruises along the course, reminding us that, yes, hydration is important.

You can opt to hit the fairways on your own or play in groups. In my case, I got partnered up with a man named Keith, who had driven down from Vernon, just south of the Oklahoma border. Keith had already played one round of the nine-hole course on his own and was so grateful to have another player to chat with during his second round that he graciously overlooked my tremendous lack of talent.

At its core, golf can be a very frustrating game, even for a professional. Yet, on the 7th hole, I hit a 9-iron from about 140 yards away, landing the ball right next to the pin. Keith said, “That’s the kind of shot that will keep you coming back.”

He’s right. Well, that, and those stunning views.

Surf’s Up with Guided Lessons

You’d think growing up with the Beach Boys’ “Made in USA” album on regular rotation would have instilled a lifelong fondness for surfing. Sure, only one of the original members actually surfed. However, with jams like “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” and “Surfin’ Safari,” a seed could have easily been planted.

And yet, Port Aransas gave me my first experience with surfing. My guide, Stefan Lewis, has coached an extensive collection of folks and is perfectly at one with the ocean. That’s a good thing because, as George Costanza would remark, “The sea was angry that day, my friends.”

Stefan repeatedly told me that the water was presenting choppier conditions than normal. It certainly was rougher than what beginners would ideally practice in. He also noted that at my height of 6’2”, I’d likely do better with an 11-foot board instead of the 10-foot one I was using, but sometimes you have to make do with what you’ve got.

Stefan started with some practicing on dry land. His advice was great; he walked through how to maintain balance. He suggested looking straight ahead instead of down. Push off with your hands instead of grabbing the board, and stay crouched with your arms low. Then he said the water would be a totally different experience and most people forget everything they just learned on land anyway.

So, if you follow that same process, the initial rides might be a little rough. Stefan’s a big believer in letting people fail a few times to get used to things, then making corrections from there. We practiced popping up onto my knees, then one knee and one foot, and finally both feet.

I was astutely observant of people around me in between rides. Fishers were casting lines by the pier, a couple was wading through the waves, and small children were picking seashells along the shoreline. But when I was on my board—only a couple of seconds before I invariably lost my balance—it was an incredible sense of zen. You’re propelled through the water in a special way that you almost feel like you’re floating on the waves.

Should you decide to tackle surfing, just about every lesson throughout Port Aransas will provide a board for you. However, items like water and sunscreen usually aren’t included, so bring what you’d normally have at the beach. Consider your propensity for seasickness and prepare with Dramamine or a similar nausea combatant. The waves will toss you around a bit, particularly on a choppy day. I felt a bit nauseous toward the end of my surf. Luckily, there’s a perfect remedy: Drink some water, lie out on the beach, and relax. 

Stefan’s top reminder was to always remember to breathe, and everything will be okay. That’s a pretty good lesson for life, too.

Yoga on the Beach

By my final day of the trip, I was pretty beaten up. I love walking everywhere on a vacation, but this visit unlocked muscles I didn’t even know I had. You might find yourself in the same situation, so yoga on the beach is an ideal way to unwind.

Selena Esensee regularly hosts morning yoga classes at Beach Mile Marker 43 near Cinnamon Shore and the Horace Caldwell Pier. If you’re a regular yogi, you’re welcome to bring your own mat. For a newbie like me, who has participated in approximately three yoga classes throughout their entire life, Selena also has blankets and mats to help you stay limber.

Selena’s instruction was the most enjoyable of any class I’ve taken. She has a calming yet direct presence, and she moves around the space, answering questions or gently guiding people into poses. If you’re not the most flexible, you might also appreciate Selena’s suggestion for alternate moves. Maybe you can’t raise your legs entirely above your head, but you can grab your knees and still feel a good stretch.

Plus, it’s yoga on the beach! There’s not a ton of opportunity to do that in Texas. The serene vibes of the waves are so relaxing and an excellent channel for a bit of inner soul-searching. When the class wrapped up, I felt ready to take on the world. Maybe beginning the trip with yoga is the way to go next time…

Other Optional Exercises

This itinerary is already jam-packed with physical activities, but we’ve got you covered if you need a few more exercises:

• Belt Sander Races at The Gaff: The Gaff makes a mean pizza pie, though if you happen to visit on the second or fourth Saturday of the month, you’ll encounter a rambunctious crowd out back. They’re cheering on the participants of the belt sander races. The name is exactly what it sounds like. Combatants bring their dressed-up belt sanders and race them down a long wooden track. It’s truly a hoot to behold.

• Karaoke at Salty Dog Saloon: You’ll hear a lot of different genres at the Salty Dog Saloon, yet classic country tunes rise above the rest. That gives visitors the opportunity to not only sing along at choice moments, but to get out on the dance floor and cut a rug. Two-stepping is a regular occurrence; even if you’re visiting on your own, there’s no shortage of partners willing to dance. In a pinch, you can borrow a move from one patron and two-step with a wooden chair. 
• Fishing on the Docks: Port Aransas was once called Tarpon, built by anglers, for anglers. That spirit is alive and well, and Port Aransas has docks, jetties, and seemingly endless amounts of shoreline for casting a reel into the water. Fisherman’s Wharf is a great choice for fishing tours, and the city was named the Fishing Capital of Texas in June 2025.

By the time you’re heading home from the beach, you’ll feel energized, rejuvenated, and accomplished. That’s quite the productive getaway. 

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Cover photo Joey Held

Joey Held is a writer, author, and podcaster based in Austin. His book, Kind, But Kind of Weird: Short Stories on Life’s Relationships, features stories inspired by living in the Lone Star State. He’s also the founder of Fun Fact Friyay, a newsletter for curious people, and Wacky Travel, for travelers who enjoy quirky discoveries in the places they visit.