A favorite past time on most any beach is strolling along the waters
edge looking for the treasures of the sea. The
beaches
of the Gulf of Mexico along Mustang Island are no exception. Any month
of the year has the potential to provide seashells, sand dollars and
various treasures from the Gulf. However the best time to find shells is
after any large swell or storm has washed shells and treasures (along
with debris) onto Mustang Island beaches.
Any of the beaches in Port Aransas or on Mustang
Island can provide shells anytime of year. However there are a few
beaches that may provide a better chance to find shells that are
common to the area as well as some unique finds. The Port
Aransas South Jetty provide a good location to search for
shells. Walking the tide line between the jetty and Horace Caldwell
Fishing Pier can yield good results. This area is known for the
occasional shark tooth find also. Travel across the
Corpus Christi Ship Channel to St. Joseph's Island where the
beachcombing can be extremely good. This island has no vehicle
access and can only be reached by boat or the ferry
that takes passengers to the island throughout the day.
Another
good spot to look for seashells is at the Mustang Island State Park. The
park can be reached from the north by driving on the beach until you
reach the jetty. The sand can be very soft here at times. If you wish to
avoid the adventure soft sand can sometimes provide (getting stuck) pay
the small fee and have access to showers, restrooms and vehicle parking
at the Mustang Island Texas State Park entrance down the road on State
Hwy. 361 The entry fee is reasonable and charged per vehicle.


Images courtesy of National Park Service