Last updated: February 9, 2024
Place
Malaquite Beach
NPS Photo/ Mimi Gorman
Quick Facts
Location:
20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Designation:
National Seashore
Amenities
19 listed
Accessible Rooms, Beach/Water Access, Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rack, Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Parking - Boat Trailer, Parking - Bus/RV, Pets Allowed, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Picnic Table, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Showers, Trash Dumpster, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Bottle-Filling Station, Water - Drinking/Potable
No lifeguard on duty.
In 1968, the second park Superintendent, Ernist Borgman, named Malaquite Beach after a tribe of the Coahuiltecan Native Americans known as “Malaquitas." Today, Malaquite Beach is one of the most popular destinations for beachgoers in the park.
Malaquite Beach stretches 4.5 miles (7.24 km) from the North Beach vehicle bollards, south to the South Beach vehicle bollards. The entire stretch of Malaquite Beach is closed to public beach driving, making it an ideal area for families looking for a vehicle-free section of beach for recreation. Malaquite Beach is also closed to beach camping and campfires, with the exception of directly in front of Malaquite Campground for campers staying in the campground.
The easiest access point for Malaquite Beach is at the Malaquite Visitor Center. The large parking lot can accommodate over 800 cars and has easy turnaround for RVs or trailers. Along the north end of the visitor center parking lot is a covered picnic area with a charcoal grill, a night sky viewing area, vault toilets, and outdoor cold-water rinse-off showers. The visitor center complex houses two observation decks, a shade structure with picnic tables, flush restrooms and indoor cold-water showers, as well as the park visitor center and park store.
Malaquite Beach can be accessed from the parking lot via a sand trail on the north side of the visitor center or via a wooden boardwalk from the visitor center deck. Beach wheelchairs and a beach walker are available to borrow from the visitor center for those with mobility limitations.
Pets are allowed but must always be on a leash.