When we think of beaches we think of fun things to do with friends and family.
Long summers, surfing, fishing, swimming, picnics and many other great pastimes come to mind.
Thinking about beaches in Texas, we could easily add BBQ’s and other elements associated with the good life.
Updated 2/11/2020 – What we probably don’t associate them with is the paranormal, but why should beaches be excluded from occasional hauntings or scary events that plague other places?
Read on to discover the best beaches in Texas, along with their chilling paranormal activity.
If you decide to check them out, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
10) Sylvan Beach – La Porte
The waterfront of Sylvan Beach has been redone with more beach and park areas added, including a playground with swings and slides, picnic grounds, a fishing bait and tackle store as well as a pavilion which can be rented for special events and functions.
There’s also a boat launching area.
One spot you should be careful around is under the pier, where the spirit of an angry fisherman has been seen.
His footsteps have also been heard following unsuspecting visitors as they walk along the pier, so if you enjoy fishing – be prepared for company.
9) Banana Bend – Highlands
If you love dancing and having a good time with friends and family, Banana Bend is one of the best beaches in Texas and offers live music, a taco truck and facilities for grilling your own food and it’s BYOB.
With ample seating areas and tables, along with a water trampoline, jet skis and volleyball, you’re sure to have a great time.
That’s if you stay away from the tree-line, where shadow people have been spotted darting throughout the trees.
Some say they’re the spirits of children who drowned and there have been reports of little bobbing heads in the water.
8) Upper Horsepen Creek Park – Houston
This is a place especially for dogs, where they can swim in the lake as well as the dog beach.
They have wash stations so they won’t mess up your car on the way home as well as a running trail, an agility course, water fountains and even fishing for the humans.
However – watch out for the spirit of a snapping, snarling dog that likes to follow owners and their dogs on the running trail, especially when twilight approaches.
Pray that his bark is worse than his bite.
7) Galveston Ocean Seawall Beaches – Galveston
About an hour from Houston, these beaches have a lot of parking and are close to great restaurants and bars.
You can rent chairs for $10 per hour and there are stairs for beach access.
Also close to the pleasure pier, there are many large rocks in the water to explore, as well as souvenir shops.
Be careful of the rocks though, as you might hear occasional screams or sinister whispers from time to time.
It has been reported that these voices can only be heard underwater, close to the rocks, but do you dare to find out for yourself?
6) Rockport Beach – Rockport
Considered one of the cleanest beaches along the Gulf Coast – thanks to the cleaning crews who rake it over in the morning – there’s a fishing pier, a picnic area, food vendors and you can rent the facilities for events.
That is, if you can tear yourself away from the shallows.
It is said that people are overcome by a feeling of sorrow if they lay down in the water.
That’s why you’ll need to barge on through to deeper water, as the spirits are said to appear in the surface, beckoning swimmers to join them in their watery grave.
5) Port Aransas Beach – Port Aransas
Port Aransas has so much to offer, such as first class fishing, shopping and restaurants on the coast, which stretches over 18 miles.
It’s also known for being one of Texas beaches’ best spots for wildlife, along with many estuaries and nature reserves.
Remember Alfred Hitchcock’s film The Birds?
If not, then you’ll understand once you get to experience a flock of sinister birds who come from nowhere and screech your name.
The thing is, no one else will see them, because some say the birds are really Banshees or spirits trying to spook the living.
4) Boca Chica – Brownsville
Sandwiched between lower Laguna Madre and the Rio Grande delta is the beach of Boca Chica.
With great surf fishing, boogie board fun and good shell hunting, it’s a lovely spot for a picnic and considered one of the more popular beaches in Texas.
Try going there at night and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world, where the crunching of shells indicate phantom footsteps.
No matter how much you shine your flashlight, you’ll never see who’s approaching – but you’ll certainly hear them.
3) Crystal Beach – Port Bolivar
On the Bolivar Peninsula lies Crystal Beach, where you can usually find a little privacy, rent a cabin and park on the beach.
The parking permit lasts all year and costs only $10.
Great for picnics, there’s fishing and dogs are allowed.
One thing to watch out for is the Sargassum Weed.
Walking through it might be a nuisance but you’ll be distracted by fear when it wraps around your ankles like small hands are winding it around deliberately.
To top it off, the giggling of invisible children as you try to escape will send chills down your spine.
2) El Jardin Beach – Seabrook
Who doesn’t love a secret beach?
Considered a small, private beach, El Jardin is very family and pet friendly.
It’s great for picnics and entrance is free in the Fall.
There are times when a lonely old man is seen staring out to sea at the water’s edge, dressed in tattered, old fashioned clothing.
Some say that he was a suicide and others say he died in a shipwreck.
The chilling thing about him is that he is skeletal and disappears if you approach him.
1) Mustang Island – Port Aransas
What’s not to love and what’s not to do?
Kayaking, camping with electrical and bathroom facilities, pergolas and picnic tables, fishing, bird watching and oceanography exhibits to name a few.
Mustang Island is a great place to relax.
Mind you, the sudden gusts of harsh winds might knock you off your feet and some say that they were sure they felt hands on their backs or scratches on their faces and bodies.
It would be easy to dismiss these things as natural phenomena, if it wasn’t for the raspy laughter in the wind.
Have you visited any of these beaches?
What did you experience?
Tell us in the comments below.
