Texas is known for a variety of things, including cowboys, BBQs, live music, and hot weather! But what many people don’t realize is that there is a coastline in Texas with popular beaches that have year-round visitors. So you may be wondering: Is the ocean in Texas warm?
Great news, the ocean in Texas is warm all year round! In the summer months, the average temperature of the ocean in Texas is about 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the winter, temperatures hardly ever fall below 53 degrees.
If you’d like to find out a little more about the ocean in Texas, including what body of water it actually is, the best beaches to visit to enjoy the warm water, and the average temperatures you’ll find throughout the year, keep reading! We have everything you need to know right here.
What Ocean is on Texas’ Coastline?
If geography wasn’t your strong suit in school, you may not know that the coastline of Texas is on the southeast corner and runs along the Gulf of Mexico. Although it’s called a “gulf” it is actually a basin of the Atlantic Ocean!
The Gulf of Mexico borders several other states as well as many other countries and its year-round warm waters are arguably its best feature!
While the exact temperatures vary depending on where on the Gulf of Mexico you are visiting, how deep the water is, and the time of year, we’re going to dig a little deeper into the temperature you’ll find if visiting the Gulf from Texas.
Is the Ocean in Texas Warm?
Hopefully, now you know the answer to this one! But in case you forgot, yes, the ocean in Texas, the Gulf of Mexico is warm! In fact, it boasts warm temperatures all year round.
The ocean is usually over 70 °F, it can get up to 85 °F in the summer, and never falls below 53 °F, even in the winter.
Here’s a month by month break down of the average ocean temperatures off the coast of Texas:
| Month | Average (°F) |
| January | 55 |
| February | 58 |
| March | 63 |
| April | 71 |
| May | 78 |
| June | 84 |
| July | 84 |
| August | 84 |
| September | 83 |
| October | 76 |
| November | 68 |
| December | 60 |
| Annual | 72 |
Comparatively, in southern California, the average temperature of the Pacific Ocean is about 68 °F, and the Atlantic off the coast of New England is usually about 58 °F.
So it’s safe to say Texas’ ocean has some of the warmest waters in the country!
If it sounds like you may want to visit some of the Texas beaches this year to have a swim in the ocean, you may want to know a little more about the individual beaches and what they have to offer.
What Are the Most Popular Texas Beaches?
There are several popular beaches along Texas’ 370 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico with teal and emerald water where you can enjoy the warm ocean temperatures.
- Boca Chica (Summer Average 83°F): Located just north of the Mexican border, this beach is primarily untouched and is a beautiful getaway. It doesn’t have any of the bells and whistles of other beach towns, but if you’re looking to simply fish, swim, or relax quietly with a book, it may be the best place for you!
- Padre Island (Summer Average 84°F): About 30 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Padre Island National Seashore stretches across 70 miles of beaches, dunes and tidal flats. People come here to kayak, camp, and windsurf, as well as enjoy the wildlife and untamed nature.
- Mustang Island (Summer Average 83°F): Mustang Island is a favorite beach destination for families and active travelers. Surfing and camping are popular things to do at this beach, while the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail (a 20-mile series of shallow-water canals) offers opportunities to kayak, canoe and paddle board.
- Galveston (Summer Average 86°F): Located just an hour and a half drive from Houston, Galveston boasts 32 miles of beaches. As a fun beach town, you can find food stands, tourist shops, and beautiful sandy beaches. Along the coastline you can also find more remote locations for swimming, fishing, and so much more.
No matter where you decide to visit along the Texas coastline, you can know for sure that the ocean water of the Gulf of Mexico will be warm and lovely to take a dip in!
Final Thoughts
So, is the ocean in Texas warm? It absolutely is! Texas boasts some of the warmest summer and winter averages in the country, so you can be certain that no matter when you visit the Gulf of Mexico from one of Texas’ many beaches, that you will be able to enjoy a dip in the warm water.
And hopefully now you have a few ideas of where to go to dive right in!
