After the destination, the most important part of a vacation lies in the rentals you choose to make your own during your stay, and during your upcoming getaway to Mustang Island, you may be worried that you don’t know what would qualify as the right vacation rental. Fortunately, you found your way to On Island Time, and we will never let you down. To help make your search even easier, we have created this guide on how to choose the right Mustang Island vacation rental, showing you all the ways our properties are certain to be the only ones you will ever want to consider.
Location, Location, Location
Everyone knows that the three things that matter most about a property is “location, location, location,” and on Mustang Island, that obviously means your vacation rental should be on the beach! Yes, you should probably decide on the size, maybe how many bathrooms you want, but when it comes to a beach vacation, your rental should absolutely be resting on shore’s edge, making this, in our minds, the most important feature of all.
Whether you have enjoyed a vacation at the beach many times before or this is your first time, there is serenity and joy that can only be found while relaxing on balconies or decks that overlook the water. You can feel the salt air breezes kissing your cheeks, hear the roar of the sea as waves crash against the sand, and as you sit with a frosty margarita in hand, you will know that life just doesn’t get any better.
Budget
Although your Mustang Island retreat is designed to be an integral part of your vacation experience, just as in real life, you don’t want to blow all your budget on housing. You want to be able to experience all that this part of Texas has to offer, so it is important that you determine your budget and how much you will need to live well while still being able to enjoy unlimited explorations.
This can be done by perhaps choosing a rental with fewer bedrooms or choosing one that may still offer sea views, but the views are a little further off in the distance. Choosing On Island Time, of course, is the best way to ensure that your housing choices are budget friendly while still providing the little luxuries that just make vacation life even better.
Now, Let’s Talk Amenities
We all have an idea of the amenities we need to feel comfortable while traveling, and generally an onsite pool and/or hot tub is at the top of the list. (Yes, you guessed it! Our Mustang Island rentals offer both!) Not everyone wants to swim in the Gulf waters that many creatures call home, and a lazy day spent sipping cocktails poolside or soaking achy muscles in a hot tub can often be a highlight of your vacation that you will never forget.
Other important amenities include free Wi-Fi, state-of-the-art televisions, and although they aren’t exciting, laundry rooms that will allow guests to pack light and save room for souvenirs on their return trip. You may also want to look for shelves stacked with books, games, and movies, or you may seek a rental with a closet stocked with beach chairs, umbrellas, even wagons to help lug all the supplies across the sand, and yes, we offer all of the above.
The Large Details
Another way you can save money while vacationing is by choosing properties with fully equipped kitchens, and if you are searching for a more luxurious space, perhaps a kitchen equipped with high-end appliances, stone counters, and custom cabinetry, your search stops with On Island Time. We love to spoil our guests, and because no one likes to do chores while traveling but everyone loves to save money, our kitchens are luxuriously appointed, ensuring that you will have fun while preparing the evening meal.
The Small Details You May Not Notice Unless They Weren’t There
There are some details that not every vacation rental company pays attention to, and even if it is something small like providing wine corkscrews or bottle openers, you would definitely notice if the amenity was missing. We at On Island Time like to imagine that we are staying in our rentals, equipping each space with all the amenities that we seek while traveling, and you will find that we believe all the details are the most important ones. There will be enough dishes, silverware, and glassware for every member of your traveling party, the linens we provide will feel soft against your skin, and we can assure you that televisions will be updated models.
Reserve your favorite Mustang Island vacation rental today!
Oftentimes, the best vacations are those that come with a seemingly endless lineup of options for customized fun for travelers to enjoy as soon as they arrive. When visitors make Mustang Island, Texas, their vacation destination of choice, that’s exactly what they can look forward to and so much more! Sitting on the scenic Texas Gulf Coast, Mustang Island enjoys warm weather and sunny skies year-round in addition to a collection of gorgeous beaches for travelers to explore at their own preferred pace.
Beyond the sand, Mustang Island also plays host to some truly incredible wildlife and an enticing array of delicious restaurants to check out. Whether you spend your time popping in and out of the many charming shops located across the island or take as many unique tours as possible, your Mustang Island vacation promises to be truly unforgettable.
Here, there’s always something for travelers with every interest to enjoy, so consider using the following ultimate Mustang Island, TX travel guide the next time you’re in town so you can be sure you’re experiencing as much of this inspiring destination as possible.
Take Time to Truly Relish Your Mustang Island Beach Days
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to adding unique adventures to your Mustang Island itinerary. That said, a true highlight experience for travelers heading this way is surely going to be the quality time they set aside to enjoy the beach. When you make your way to Mustang Island, Texas, you’ll be treating yourself to access to 18 miles of gorgeous shoreline just waiting to be discovered. The beauty of this stretch of sand lies in the fact that each beach access point comes with its own unique appeal for travelers.
If you’re heading this way looking to enjoy a beach day that feels a bit more off-the-beaten path, you’re going to want to consider making time to unwind at Mustang Island State Park Beach. While Mustang Island State Park itself spans nearly 4,000 acres of terrain, the beach is a quiet and beautiful place within its parameters to spend a tranquil afternoon on the sand. Many visitors head this way to enjoy shelling, wildlife spotting, and a beach experience that’s often refreshingly void of large crowds. If you’re a visitor with an interest in landscape photography, this is an opportunity to pair your beach day with some time capturing gorgeous, natural terrain on film.
In the event you’re a visitor to Mustang Island this year who prefers to enjoy a beach day alongside a vibrant crowd of fellow travelers, you can’t go wrong with time enjoyed at Port Aransas Beach. This is a popular destination in the area because it’s both easy to access from the center of Port Aransas and a great place for beachcombing, swimming, and sunbathing. You’ll very often find solo travelers, couples, friend groups, and families alike convening on this beach, which is fun, inviting, and a beautiful place for a beach picnic as well.
Make Sure Your Mustang Island Getaway Include Delicious Dining Options
No trip to Mustang Island is really complete without some palate-pleasing experiences built into the itinerary. Whether you end up spending all your time on the sand, out on the water, or exploring in town, at some point, you’re going to find that you have an appetite you need to attend to. The good news is that Mustang Island is home to a wide variety of fantastic restaurants to explore, no matter what you might be in the mood for.
Treat Yourself to Great Flavors at FINS Grill and Icehouse
If you find during your time on Mustang Island that nothing sounds better than seafood served up in spectacular waterfront surroundings, we would definitely recommend making your way to FINS Grill and Icehouse for a meal while you’re here. You’ll find this family-friendly eatery located at 420 W. Cotter Avenue, and they’re open from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours until 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Guests who come here will enjoy options to settle in at a table on the large outdoor deck, which puts a firm frame on beautiful harbor views during your dinner.
Start things off with a house margarita while you peruse the menu and decide what would satisfy. The menu at FINS Grill and Icehouse has everything from fish tacos and grilled Gulf fish to coconut shrimp as well. They’re also happy to serve up burgers, salads, and sandwiches upon request. If you’ve spent the day out fishing and happened to catch something great, this eatery will also happily clean and cook your catch for you to enjoy right at the table.
Check Out What’s Being Served up at Blue Water Cowboy Saloon & Mercantile
When you’re on the hunt for a vibrant atmosphere, flavorful selections, and great views, too on Mustang Island, the Blue Water Cowboy Saloon & Mercantile has it covered. Located at 229 Beach Street, this local eatery is a great stop for happy hour specials, a delicious dinner for two, or even a meal out with the kids. The Blue Water Cowboy Saloon & Mercantile is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm for dinner and from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm Friday through Sunday.
Whether you’re longing for steaks, seafood, sushi, crab stuffed jalapeno poppers, the seafood nachos, shrimp tacos, sashimi, or filet mignon, you’ll find it right here. You’re sure to leave feeling full and satisfied. That said, no matter what dish you select, you’ll want to be sure to match it with just the right handcrafted cocktail on the menu, which pairs particularly well with the sunset views you can also enjoy from this welcoming, local eatery.
Memorable Activities to Add to Your List on Mustang Island
Travelers who enjoy adding as many unique and memorable activities as possible to their itineraries while on vacation will find Mustang Island always has plenty to offer. If you happen to be a history buff taking time out of a busy schedule to travel to Mustang Island this year, don’t leave without spending at least one afternoon exploring the exhibits and displays at the Port Aransas Museum. This stop is a truly fascinating glimpse back in time, and its location in a 1900s kit home makes your visit even more incredible. When you visit this museum, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to learn more about how hurricanes have affected Mustang Island through the years, as well as the shipwrecks storms have left in their wake, and the fishing culture that long kept this area resilient.
Another great experience to add to your lineup during your stay is a day of exploring and enjoying downtown Port Aransas. This area truly works as the heartbeat of Mustang Island, and it’s a terrific place to spend time discovering the local boutiques or checking out locally owned surf shops as well. From the art galleries to the inviting coffee shops, it’s easy to spend more time here than you might have originally planned for.
If you have an unwavering love for adrenaline-pumping fun, you can’t go wrong when you book an excursion with the team over at Chute ‘Em Up Parasailing/Port A Parasail. This is an absolute must-do for thrill seekers in the area who aren’t afraid of heights and can’t wait to enjoy a bird’s eye view out and over the waves! As you zip over the Gulf at impressive speeds alongside your team of professionals, you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas from above that are guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind.
Experience the Beauty of Nearby San José Island for Yourself
Depending on how much time you have set aside to vacation on Mustang Island, you’ll want to consider spending a day exploring nearby San José Island as well. This is a picture-perfect place for nature enthusiasts to experience during their trip when getting close to wildlife and spectacular views is the goal.
San José Island is no more than a 5-minute ferry ride from Mustang Island, with vessels departing daily from the Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf. This makes it an easy-to-access day trip destination no matter what time of year you arrive. Travelers will want to keep in mind that San José Island is privately owned, and when you arrive, you’ll only be allowed to explore the pristine beach areas below the mean high tide line. Not to worry though, because this area is rich in opportunities for fun and thrills. It’s a great place to spend the day fishing, shelling, or birding alongside family and friends. In total, the area boasts 21 miles of sand and vehicles are prohibited, keeping the terrain wild, rugged, and thriving for the wildlife that call this area home.
Places You Won’t Want to Miss
Those with a heart for birding who are making their way to Mustang Island in the name of a great vacation this year will want to make sure a stop at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is at the top of their itinerary. This is a beloved place for birdwatchers to gather and spot everything from egrets and herons to roseate spoonbills and beyond. It’s a true hot spot in the spring and fall as migratory species fly through, and there are opportunities to encounter turtles, native fish species, and alligators on-site, too. You can find the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center at 1356 Ross Avenue, and it hosts salt marshes, prairie habitats, and freshwater wetlands alike.
Feel free to drop by daily from sunrise to sunset without needing to worry about admission to explore the area. Those who visit will find a variety of trails to explore, as well as shaded observation platforms to check out and spotting scopes in place. If you would prefer to enjoy birding alongside a guide, consider attending the birding program hosted here every Wednesday at 9:00 am. This is a chance to spend time on a guided walk led by a local expert where you can learn even more about the species you’re spotting overhead.
Getting Around with Ease Is a Breeze
While many visitors choose to drive to Mustang Island from Corpus Christi, or sail in on the ferry from Aransas Pass, once you get here, you can feel free to leave the car parked. That’s because many travelers lean into the idea of getting from point A to point B using a golf cart instead. There are many convenient rental options to consider across Mustang Island, and when you have a golf cart to use, you won’t have to worry about parking at all. You can also build customized sightseeing into your stay, enjoyed at your own preferred pace.
Packing Tips to Keep in Mind Before You Travel
Mustang Island is a sunny vacation destination to enjoy, and even in the wintertime, that Gulf sunshine is strong. We would highly suggest making sure you have plenty of high SPF sunscreen in your suitcase, so as you move between the shoreline and in town adventures, you’ll always be comfortable and protected. Summertime travelers will want to make sure they include bug spray on their packing list when heading this way, but travelers in all seasons will find they can benefit from the use of a reusable water bottle while they’re in town. When you can’t wait to enjoy dolphin watching or birding while you’re here, having a quality pair of binoculars in your bag is a must as well.
Book Your One-of-a-Kind Mustang Island Stay Today
There’s absolutely no reason to wait when you’re ready to enjoy a well-deserved adventure to Mustang Island. When you can’t wait to turn those travel plans into reality, making your trip unforgettable begins with booking your Mustang Island accommodations through the team at On Island Time Vacation Rentals. Reach out today to learn more about our inviting and exciting property options that come with amazing views, world-class amenities, and room for small and large groups alike to settle into style. Our team can’t wait to help you plan a trip to Mustang Island you won’t forget, and we look forward to seeing you in sunny Texas soon!
There once was a time when travelers looked at their vacation rentals simply as a place to rest their head in between their exciting adventures, and so not a lot of attention was paid to the amenities that were offered. Continental breakfasts, a hotel pool, maybe a hot tub were about all you could expect from your accommodations, and that was fine, but today, travelers want more. They want all the bells, the whistles, the luxuries, and comforts on their Mustang Island vacation, and they want to play hard, relax even harder, and sleep like they haven’t slept since childhood. If you are this type of traveler, our On Island Time Vacation Rentals will provide all of the above, while we provide these tips for getting the most out of your Mustang Island rental.
Let’s Start Off With Packing Your Suitcase
The way you experience your rental to the fullest begins before you walk out the door of your own home sweet home; we are talking about packing your suitcase. First, let us tell you it is ok to pack less, because our retreats will offer either a private laundry room, a closet with a stackable unit, or in some cases, access to a coin-operated laundry room, and you will be able to wash clothes as you need them. Why is this so important, you ask? Simply put, it leaves space in your suitcase for all the souvenirs you won’t be able to resist purchasing while also eliminating (mostly) the fear of overweight suitcases on your return trip back. Another thing you won’t need to pack is beach towels or beach gear, as we provide the essentials, and you wouldn’t be using our spaces to their full potential if you didn’t bring our towels, beach chairs, umbrellas, and coolers to the sandy beaches that are more than likely located just outside your Mustang Island sanctuary. (Just don’t forget your swim suit!)
Let’s Talk About Your Itinerary
Another thing you may be concerned with before you leave home is all the things you will do during your Texas trip of a lifetime, wanting to make sure that all the blank spaces of your itinerary are filled in with exciting or relaxing adventures. But we do want to suggest that to get full use out of your Mustang Island sanctuary, you should, at the very least, pencil in at least one evening or one full day to play at home. Our spaces are designed to be an important part of the vacation experience, and you will want to partake in all the experiences we have listed below.
Breakfasts at Home
There are many wonderful restaurants that serve the best Texan style meals, but why not sleep in late on the day you’ve scheduled to stay in, and putter around our fully equipped kitchens to make a breakfast to enjoy out on patios that overlook the sea? Bake those easy and delicious Pilsbury cinnamon rolls in modern stoves, scramble eggs in the pans provided, and if your retreat is one with a wine refrigerator we think you would be remiss if you didn’t add mimosas to your breakfast at home, with champagne you’ve stocked in the aforementioned wine refrigerator.
Pool Days and Hot Tub Evenings
Not everyone appreciates swimming in waters that are shared by sea creatures, so a day lazing around the pool, sipping frothy margaritas that you prepared yourself, is highly recommended. Let the kids splash in cool and clear waters while you either join in or decide to lounge nearby, keeping an out for their safety and relaxing hard. When the sun sets and the temperatures cool down a bit, soaking in the hot and bubbling waters of community hot tubs will be an awesome way to start out your evening in.
Sunset Sips
Even if your escape doesn’t provide a wine refrigerator, the real refrigerator will be large enough to hold your food and your beverages and as the sun sets over the sea, raising a toast of your favorite wine in its honor may become a new nightly tradition!
Movie and Board Game Nights
State of the art televisions will make it easy for you to lose yourself in the magic on the screen, and whether you planned this night of staying in or an unexpected storm rained on your night, the movies you watch will make you quite happy you aren’t out and about. And if you are trying to remain unplugged during your Mustang Island vacation, many if not most of our serene sanctuaries will also provide board games for you and your family to play!
So Many Ways
There are so many ways for you to get the most out of your Mustang Island vacation rental. Reserve your favorite today and discover them all for yourselves!
Whether you are looking for a Mustang Island rental as a traveler or are a vacation property owner looking to make sure that your rental will be consistently rented, turning to On Island Time will help you find what you seek. Our rentals we manage are always the first ones rented out, in part because of our impeccable customer service, but mostly because we know how to provide the features that travelers want. Giving guests what they want is our specialty, and today we want to take a few minutes to talk about what features our Mustang Island rentals offer, and although this article may be primarily directed towards the owners, travelers may want to skim through as well, perhaps finding their dream vacation property as they do!
Water Views
Starting with the most popular feature of any of our Texas rentals, offering a beachfront property is the surest way to avoid open nights. Guests want to sit out on balconies, listening to the sound of the surf below them and watching the sun rise and set above. And they want to be able to step outside and have their toes buried in the sand after just a short walk, something that isn’t as simple to accomplish in properties that are just “near the beach.”
Access to a Pool
Not everyone is comfortable with swimming where sea creatures make their homes, but they will still want to swim, especially as Texas summers can be hot. This makes a swimming pool as important an amenity as that sea view, and it doesn’t have to be a private pool. As long as your guests have access to the cool blue waters, they will be just as happy swimming in a community pool as they are in a private pool. But if your Mustang Island vacation rental happens to be a standalone home that offers a private pool in the backyard, don’t pass it by. Homes with private pools rent at higher rates than those without one or a property with a community pool. Hot tubs are a nice extra as well!
Modern and Updated Televisions and Appliances
Sometimes when we think back to the places our parents made us stay while on vacation, we have to shudder to ourselves and then concentrate on even more ways to make our guests’ vacation retreats more luxurious. It’s like a warped kind of PTSD in which our guests (and property owners) reap the benefits! We equip our properties with the latest televisions—there will not be a tube TV in sight—and as new technology becomes available, we will replace our already state of the art televisions with newer and better ones. That also goes with kitchen appliances; many people don’t really want to cook while on vacation, but for those who do, why shouldn’t it be on equipment that makes cooking fun? Additionally, if your property offers a laundry room, be sure to update the washer and dryer as well.
High-Speed Internet
The world changed forever a few years back, and although it was a horrible time in many ways, the one good thing that came from the pandemic was the realization that we can work from home and be just as productive as when we are in the office, if not more so. This change in thinking has also morphed into the realization that you don’t even have to live in the same state, and working from home means you can work from ANY home anywhere. Providing high-speed internet that runs effectively permits guests to take longer vacations, or even extra vacations, and if your property makes it easy for them to do so, yours will be the one they choose!
What Do You Want in Your Vacation Rental?
Another thing we do that is different from most vacation rental management companies is we ask ourselves what WE want in a vacation rental. We remember that one time we went to Florida and had to buy beach umbrellas, chairs, and coolers to truly enjoy our time on the beach, and then we had to leave those items behind because they obviously didn’t fit in our luggage. We remember how small, thin, and scratchy the bath towels were and how annoying it was to not find a wine opener in a condo that offered a wine cooler. We remember those things, and when it is time to prepare our properties for the public, we ensure that those items are included in the amenities! It’s this attention to detail that makes On Island Time vacation rentals the most sought after rentals on Mustang Island.
Let Us Set You Up for Success
Give us a call today and let’s discuss all the ways we can work together to get your property rented out every night of the year!