Indianola Beach
Indianola, TX
Indianola Beach fronts Matagorda Bay at the site of what was once Texas's second busiest port, a city of 5,000 people wiped off the map by back to back hurricanes in 1875 and 1886. What's left is a mile and a half of free, undeveloped public sand, one of the last stretches on the Texas coast with no entrance fee or built up development behind it.
A genuinely rare free, undeveloped public beach with real history behind it, though there's nothing here beyond sand and water, no facilities of any kind.
How we score beachesPair the beach with the small historical markers scattered around the site. Most visitors don't realize a real city once stood here until they read one.
Parking is free and informal, pulling off along the road near the beach.
Undeveloped sand access with no paved path or facilities.
Leashed dogs are allowed.
Fall and winter bring good birding and kayaking on the calm bay water, while summer is the season for swimming. Hurricane season runs June through November, worth remembering given the site's history.
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