Best Time to Visit Port Aransas & Cinnamon Shore
A month-by-month guide to weather, Gulf water temperature, rainfall, crowds, pricing, and the festivals worth planning a trip around — from the team behind Beached Inn at Cinnamon Shore.
At-a-glance: month by month
Average air highs and lows, Gulf water temperature, monthly rainfall, typical crowd level, and relative pricing for each month at Cinnamon Shore.
| Month | Air high | Air low | Gulf °F | Rain (in) | Crowd | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 64°F | 49°F | 60°F | 1.5 | Low | $$ |
| February | 67°F | 52°F | 60°F | 2 | Low | $$ |
| March | 73°F | 58°F | 65°F | 1.5 | Peak | $$$$ |
| April | 78°F | 65°F | 71°F | 1.8 | High | $$$ |
| May | 84°F | 72°F | 78°F | 3.5 | Med–High | $$$ |
| June | 88°F | 78°F | 83°F | 3.6 | Peak | $$$$ |
| July | 90°F | 79°F | 85°F | 2.4 | Peak | $$$$ |
| August | 91°F | 79°F | 86°F | 3.6 | High | $$$ |
| September | 88°F | 76°F | 84°F | 5.7 | Low–Med | $$ |
| October | 82°F | 69°F | 78°F | 3.5 | Medium | $$ |
| November | 73°F | 60°F | 70°F | 1.6 | Low | $$ |
| December | 66°F | 51°F | 63°F | 1.7 | Low–Med | $$ |
January at Cinnamon Shore
The quietest month at Cinnamon Shore. Cool, clear, and uncrowded — perfect for birders and anyone who wants the beach to themselves.
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Weather & water
Air 64°F / 49°F · Gulf 60°F · Rainfall 1.5″ · Crowd: Low · Pricing: $$
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Best for
Birding, beachcombing, long quiet walks, work-from-the-beach week
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Watch out for
Cold fronts can drop temps into the 40s for a few days; water too cool to swim
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Notable events
Winter Texan season (long-stay snowbirds) · Whooping crane viewing at Aransas NWR
February at Cinnamon Shore
Last chance for off-season pricing before Spring Break. Whooping crane viewing is at its best.
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Weather & water
Air 67°F / 52°F · Gulf 60°F · Rainfall 2″ · Crowd: Low · Pricing: $$
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Best for
Birding peak, romantic getaways, fishing for redfish in the bay
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Watch out for
Still cold for swimming; pack a jacket for evenings
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Notable events
Whooping Crane Festival in Rockport (late Feb) · Mardi Gras Mambo Gambo in Port Aransas
March at Cinnamon Shore
Spring Break is the busiest two weeks in Port Aransas. Air is warm, water is brisk, every rental fills up.
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Weather & water
Air 73°F / 58°F · Gulf 65°F · Rainfall 1.5″ · Crowd: Peak · Pricing: $$$$
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Best for
Families on Spring Break, fishing, daytime beach time
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Watch out for
Highest demand of the year — book months ahead. Water still on the cool side at 65°F.
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Notable events
Texas Spring Break (typically weeks 2–3) · Fishing tournaments begin
April at Cinnamon Shore
Texas SandFest puts Port Aransas on the national map for one weekend. Spring weather at its best.
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Weather & water
Air 78°F / 65°F · Gulf 71°F · Rainfall 1.8″ · Crowd: High · Pricing: $$$
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Best for
Sand sculptures, festivals, kite flying, first warm-water swims
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Watch out for
Easter weekend and SandFest weekend book solid. Sargassum (seaweed) can wash up.
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Notable events
Texas SandFest (3rd weekend) — the largest sand-sculpture competition in the U.S. · Aransas Pass Shrimporee · Easter Sunrise Service on the beach
May at Cinnamon Shore
The sweet spot. Water hits a swimmable 78°F, days are sunny and long, and crowds haven't fully arrived.
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Weather & water
Air 84°F / 72°F · Gulf 78°F · Rainfall 3.5″ · Crowd: Med–High · Pricing: $$$
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Best for
Best balance of warm water and manageable crowds before peak summer
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Watch out for
Memorial Day weekend itself is packed; afternoon thunderstorms possible
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Notable events
Memorial Day weekend (summer kickoff) · Whooping Crane Boat Tours wrap up · Deep Sea Roundup planning kicks off
June at Cinnamon Shore
School's out and the Gulf hits 83°F. Cinnamon Shore is in full summer swing.
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Weather & water
Air 88°F / 78°F · Gulf 83°F · Rainfall 3.6″ · Crowd: Peak · Pricing: $$$$
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Best for
Fishing tournaments, family beach week, sea turtle hatchling releases
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Watch out for
Peak family-vacation pricing. First week of hurricane season, though storms are rare in June.
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Notable events
Deep Sea Roundup fishing tournament (the oldest big-fish tournament on the Gulf Coast) · Kemp's ridley sea turtle nesting peak · Father's Day fishing
July at Cinnamon Shore
Peak summer. Hot, festive, busy. Beached Inn's pool deck and elevator earn their keep.
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Weather & water
Air 90°F / 79°F · Gulf 85°F · Rainfall 2.4″ · Crowd: Peak · Pricing: $$$$
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Best for
Fireworks, family reunions, deep-sea fishing, all-day pool time
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Watch out for
Hottest month — UV is extreme midday. July 4th week books out by spring.
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Notable events
Independence Day fireworks at Horace Caldwell Pier · Texas Women Anglers Tournament · Live music at Cinnamon Shore most weekends
August at Cinnamon Shore
Warmest water of the year (86°F) and the start of true hurricane-watching season. Late month is a value window.
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Weather & water
Air 91°F / 79°F · Gulf 86°F · Rainfall 3.6″ · Crowd: High · Pricing: $$$
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Best for
Warmest sea of the year, last summer hurrah, surf fishing
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Watch out for
Peak hurricane risk begins; jellyfish/Portuguese man-of-war most likely. Late August prices ease as Texas schools start back.
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Notable events
Tarpon tournaments · Last-week-before-school family stays
September at Cinnamon Shore
Locals' favorite month. Crowds vanish after Labor Day, the Gulf stays at 84°F, and prices drop hard.
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Weather & water
Air 88°F / 76°F · Gulf 84°F · Rainfall 5.7″ · Crowd: Low–Med · Pricing: $$
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Best for
Adults-only weekends, fishing, surfing, value pricing with summer-warm water
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Watch out for
Wettest month of the year; peak hurricane window. Watch tropical forecasts before booking.
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Notable events
Roy's Memorial fishing tournament · Coast Guard Day commemorations
October at Cinnamon Shore
Maybe the best all-around month. Comfortable highs in the low 80s, warm Gulf, fall festivals, light crowds.
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Weather & water
Air 82°F / 69°F · Gulf 78°F · Rainfall 3.5″ · Crowd: Medium · Pricing: $$
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Best for
Couples weekends, fishing, fall festivals, comfortable beach days without the heat
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Watch out for
Hurricane season runs through November 30, though peak risk is winding down
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Notable events
Texas Coastal Bend Wing Fest · Halloween events at Cinnamon Shore · Fall fishing tournaments
November at Cinnamon Shore
The off-season starts. Mild days, cool nights, almost no crowds — except Thanksgiving week.
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Weather & water
Air 73°F / 60°F · Gulf 70°F · Rainfall 1.6″ · Crowd: Low · Pricing: $$
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Best for
Thanksgiving family gatherings, birding, surf fishing, quiet beach walks
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Watch out for
Thanksgiving week itself is a price spike; water cooling fast
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Notable events
Thanksgiving on the beach · Whooping cranes return to Aransas NWR · Veterans Day weekend events
December at Cinnamon Shore
Quiet most of the month except Christmas week and NYE, which book solid by autumn.
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Weather & water
Air 66°F / 51°F · Gulf 63°F · Rainfall 1.7″ · Crowd: Low–Med · Pricing: $$
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Best for
Holiday family stays, Christmas lights, NYE fireworks on the Gulf, winter birding
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Watch out for
Christmas week and NYE book out by fall; cold fronts bring chilly evenings
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Notable events
Cinnamon Shore Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Market · New Year's Eve on the beach · Holiday lights along Mustang Island
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time of year to visit Port Aransas?
May and October are the sweet spots. In May the Gulf reaches a swimmable 78°F, days are warm and long, and the worst of Spring Break is past. October pairs comfortable highs in the low 80s with warm water that's still around 78°F, light crowds after Labor Day, and excellent fishing. If you want peak summer energy and warmest water, June through early August. If you want quiet and value, September or January through early March.
What is the water temperature in Port Aransas by month?
Average Gulf surface temperature at the Bob Hall Pier station: January 60°F, February 60°F, March 65°F, April 71°F, May 78°F, June 83°F, July 85°F, August 86°F (the warmest of the year), September 84°F, October 78°F, November 70°F, December 63°F. Most swimmers consider 75°F+ comfortable, so May through October is the practical swim season.
When is hurricane season at Cinnamon Shore?
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with peak risk for the Texas coast in August through October. The vast majority of weeks during the season are uneventful and the weather is excellent. If you're booking for August through October, watch the National Hurricane Center forecasts in the days before your trip and confirm your reservation's cancellation policy.
When is Spring Break in Port Aransas?
Texas Spring Break typically falls in the second and third weeks of March, with a smaller wave the first week. Port Aransas is one of the most popular Spring Break destinations in Texas, so rentals at Cinnamon Shore book out months in advance for these weeks and pricing peaks for the year.
When is the cheapest time to stay at Cinnamon Shore?
January through early March (excluding holiday weeks) and the weeks immediately after Labor Day in September are typically the lowest-priced. Early December before the Christmas spike is also a value window. Expect to pay roughly half of peak Spring Break or July 4th rates.
What's the weather like in Port Aransas in [month]?
Port Aransas has a humid subtropical coastal climate. Winter (Dec–Feb) averages highs in the mid-60s with lows around 50°F. Spring (Mar–May) climbs from the 70s into the mid-80s. Summer (Jun–Aug) sits in the upper 80s to low 90s with 80°F+ Gulf water. Fall (Sep–Nov) cools from the upper 80s back to the low 70s. Sea breezes keep coastal temps a few degrees milder than inland Texas year-round.
Are there jellyfish in the water at Port Aransas?
Risk is highest from late spring through early fall, with Portuguese man-of-war most often blown ashore on southeast winds in spring (April–May) and fall (September–October). Always check the beach flag — purple means dangerous marine life is present. Winter and early spring are essentially jellyfish-free.
When is the best month for fishing in Port Aransas?
September and October are local favorites — the Gulf is still warm, summer crowds have left, redfish run the surf and bays, and offshore fishing is at its best. Spring (April–May) is also excellent for trout and redfish. The Deep Sea Roundup tournament in early July is the biggest event on the calendar.
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Luxury 3-bedroom beach house at Cinnamon Shore, sleeps 10. Private elevator and infinity-pool view, ~500 ft from the Gulf.
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