About Texas Surf Travel
Apparently, nobody told Ma Nature of the Lone Star State’s stringent anti-litter laws, because the waves are usually as scattered and unsightly as Yosemite Sam, and nearly as diminutive, proving that not everything in Texas is bigger — or better. Like all Gulf states, swells are frustratingly fickle, and certainly not worthy of serious wanderlust; in fact, many locals rely on mainland Mexico for survival. But, if you find yourself stuck on the range, there is still potential for a surprisingly fun session along most of the coast. And, despite the surf’s embarrassingly sloppy reputation, certain breaks remain most appreciated and easy to score.
The Texas coast can be split into two regions of surfable beaches that are within reach of international airports and major population centers. To the north, within a two-hour drive of Houston (or more from Dallas and Austin), is the stretch from High Island to the Matagorda Inlet, which includes Galveston Island. To the south, just a short drive from Corpus Christi, is the area from San Jose (St. Joe’s) Island to Boca Chica, including South Padre Island. Unfortunately, waves of any quality come at a premium, as the entire Texas coast — with the exception of South Padre Island — is plagued by a wide continental shelf. Combined with the Gulf of Mexico’s already shallow waters and limited fetch area, this flaw makes for some significant hurdles to any wave-generating storms. Furthermore, the Mississippi River pumps extraordinary amounts of silt and sediment into the Gulf of Mexico, which filter through Texas lineups like decaffeinated coffee.
Another drawback is the feeling of remoteness that you get at most Texas surf locations: northern breaks are at least a 40-minute drive from downtown Houston; Matagorda Inlet is more than two hours from parts of Houston, and five hours for the hardcore faithful from cities like Dallas and Austin; and while MTV has made South Padre Island synonymous with psychotic spring break crowds, SPI is essentially a mellow, remote destination for all but the three weeks during which the college party onslaught is hosted. So, while it may sound exciting to travel the back country of Mexico in search of exotic beaches and world-class surf, driving hours through scrubland to find marginal ripples can feel more like trailblazing with Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef in search of rumored gold at an unmarked grave.
Like any coast in the world, the right combination of swell, wind and tide can still give rise to epic conditions that provide juice for both the novice and seasoned traveler. Fortunately, if you get stranded in Texas during a flat spell, the Gulf’s waters offer ample opportunity for incredible fishing, whether it be offshore angling near the oilrigs, or inland fly-fishing on the flats of the Laguna Madre. Plus, you can always choose to entertain yourself in one of the urban centers. Though some distance from the coast, Austin* is probably the most progressive city in the mid-Southwest, home to the South by Southwest Music and Film Festival. Or, there’s this quaint little town called Waco, which has been known to fire from time to time.
Since most surf spots in Texas lack a well-defined main peak, crowds rarely present a problem. As a whole, Texas surfers tend to be very friendly and open to visitors, even at breaks with established lineups and pecking orders. As with any other spot, respecting the locals and tuning in to the so-called seniority vibe will keep any newcomer out of trouble. It would not be wise to show up from West Virginia on a foam board attempting to drop in to every key set wave at Sebastian’s First Peak; Texas is no different.
Texas surfers exhibit an exceptional amount of stoke and dedication to surfing. Core groups in each of the major cities have established active social circles that carry over to the distant beaches. It is not uncommon to go out at Octagon in Surfside Beach and surf among a friendly crew of guys from Dallas, Austin, Houston and all points in between. In Houston, contemporary surf flicks at Rice University have enjoyed high attendance numbers, allowing the urban faithful to congregate for some stoke. The Texas chapter of the Surfrider Foundation has come on strong as a major player in Texas coastal policy, in a relatively short period of time, lending credence to the concept that what Texas surfers may lack in consistent surf, they make up for in commitment.
*A Note on Austin’s Emerging Surf Scene
For those interested in the budding world of wavepools, Austin offers the only public surf lagoon in North America. Since 2016, NLand Surf Park has been pumping out waves deep in the heart of Texas – yep, 180 miles from the nearest coast. For a full breakdown of where to drink, dance, and dine after surfing the lagoon, see our definitive surf guide to Austin here.