Beach FAQs

Corpus Christi has beaches for everyone. Check out the different experiences our beaches have to offer.

Yes! As long as you follow the rules of the road, stay out of the dunes and get your beach parking permit. 

Beach parking permits are required for parking along certain sections of the beaches in Corpus Christi. Beach parking permits are sold for the calendar year (January- December) and are available for $12.  

1. Fees Go to Beach Maintenance 

Thousands of folks come to enjoy the coast. Our miles and miles of Corpus Christi beaches take a lot of moolah to keep them safe and easy to use. Beach parking permit stickers provide income to keep the beaches clean.

Permits are required for parking along certain sections of the beach. 

In addition to keeping trash off the beach, city and county park departments work hard to ensure that the sand is firmly packed for drivability. 

2. Where Are the Stickers Available? 

Permit stickers are for sale and available year-’round at: 

• Visitor Info Center  

• Nueces County Padre Balli Park Headquarters 

• Corpus Christi Beach Operations Headquarters 

• Academy Sports Store (Corpus Christi and Portland) 

• H-E-B grocery stores (Aransas Pass, Corpus Christi, Calallen, Portland and Rockport) 

• Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (University Services) 

• Most Stripes convenience stores 

3. On What Parts of the Beach Are They Required? 

Bright blue, numbered beach markers appear along the coastline. The numbering of these markers begins with smaller numbers to the northeast (the Port Aransas end) increasing to greater numbers to the southwest (towards Padre Island National Seashore). 

To determine which areas require the permit, use this handy guide: 

Corpus Christi / Port Aransas City Limits 

• (Marker 62) to Access Road 2 (Marker 98) - PERMIT REQUIRED 

• Access Road 2 (Markers 99) to Marker 103  - No Permit Required 

• Access Road 2 (Marker 99) to Newport Access Road (Marker 196) / Mustang Island State Park - No Permit Required 

• (Note: Park requires a separate entrance fee) 

• Newport Access Road (Marker 196) to Marker 230 - PERMIT REQUIRED  

• Markers 230 to 234 (Padre Balli Park / Bob Hall Pier) - No Permit Required 

• Markers 234 to 252 - PERMIT REQUIRED 

• Markers 252 to 253 (Corpus Christi City Limits) to National Seashore (6.27 miles) - No Permit Required 

BONUS: 

Each Beach parking permit sticker is good through the end of the year and available for only $12. They make great gifts for your beach-going crew. Purchase one in advance and have it ready for your next Corpus Christi adventure! 

Check out the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department’s full lifeguard schedule for more details on sites with lifeguard coverage and mobile patrol throughout the year. 

Our pet-friendly beaches welcome pets and dogs of all shapes and sizes so, bring Fido along to play, but make sure you keep him on a leash and pick up after him so he doesn't leave an unpleasant surprise for the next beach goer. Remember, we all like to walk barefoot on the beach!

Windward Beach, Padre Balli Park, Mustang Island State Park, and the Padre Island National Seashore have rinse showers and restrooms available for public use.

Pick up a complimentary trash bag or two from the Visitor Information Center downtown or from the blue boxes that are located as you come onto the beach at all access roads. These bags are cleverly designed so they won’t catch the wind and fly off down the beach. Trash cans can be found at every beach entrance and all along the beach. There’s no excuse to not leave it better than you found it!  

Camping is allowed in certain areas along the beach – check out our top recommendations. 

Enjoy a safe and legal beachfront campfire. Burn only natural wood, pallets and lumber are not allowed…nails could be a real pain the foot or tire. Pick up some campfire supplies at any one of the grocery stores on your way to the beach.