JP Luby Surf Park

JP Luby Surf Park (aka North Packery Beach) is the beach directly behind the Lively Beach Resort off Zahn Road & Hwy 361. If you are staying at Lively, this is your spot. The boardwalk from Lively empties right onto this beach between markers 204 and 205.If you aren't staying at Lively but you wanna get away from the crowds in Port A, Cinnamon Shore, or on North Padre Island out of Corpus Christi, you might wanna keep JP Luby as a backup option. It's well-maintained, clean, and generally as pleasant as Texas beaches can possibly be. You do need to pick up a permit for driving onto the beach, $12, easy to get at any convenience or grocery store in the area. The pass is good for the whole calendar year and all drivable beaches in the Port A - Corpus region from mile marker 0 to 62. Trucks or other 4WD high clearance vehicles are advised, but I did see a few less sporty options around.Take care to heed warning flags about surf conditions and the rip current. These are posted as you enter from Zahn Road, just as you pass the shower station and porto-johns.Once you get settled, you'll see everything from anglers to families on beach vacations to dare devils on surfboards, boogie boards, or kite surfing rigs.Our early October 2024 visit was easily one of my favorites from 30+ years of semi-annual trips to the Mustang / Padre Island area. We spent 3 days on this beach just watching the waves, the birds, and the happy visitors soaking up the last bit of summer paradise for the year. It was so calm, no loud stereos blasting, just folks out to enjoy Mother Nature and allow others to do the same.The adjacent North Packery Channel Jetty includes a long walkway that was packed with anglers at sunrise each morning we were there. From one fisherman I spoke with, red fish and trout were the goal at this time of year, with bait mullet easily caught by casting a net from the rocks.If you don't want to haul a bunch of chillax gear out to the beach, there are vendors who will provide setup/take-down of chairs, shade, campfires, and more for a fee. Some options to consider include Corpus Beach Rentals and 361 Blue Beach Concierge, but note that these vendors may close outside of "high season" dates.

The JP Luby Surf Park (also known as North Packery) is always a good time. Let me tell you about a day I had there...I spent Christmas in Port Aransas. It was probably the best Christmas ever. The only thing missing was I couldn't go surfing. A couple of days later, the sun came out and the wind switched to the south. and there was a bit of swell in the Gulf. That morning, the buoy report said 8' at 6 seconds with a SW wind at 12 mph. We loaded up the truck and headed down to Zahn Rd.It was a beautiful day. It was warm for December. It felt like Springtime. Not a cloud in the sky. The water was a beautiful, clear green. The waves were waist to chest high with good form. Nothing but really cool people at the beach that day. I caught countless fun waves for about four hours.I paddled back in for a water break. It was fun just sitting on the tailgate of my truck just watching everyone have a good time. People were surfing nice, clean waves. Some were fishing on the jetty. Boats were going out. Kids were playing. Dogs were running around. One guy was spearfishing by the jetty. Classic rock was blasting all day. The sounds of Santana, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix filled the air. So much fun.I paddled out again and road a few more waves until my back and shoulders couldn't take anymore. Some old friends were on the beach. I paddled back in and drank beers until the sun went down. That was a good day.

I should start by saying that I don't hesitate or think twice about making the 2.5 hour drive from San Antonio to this little piece of heaven, especially if the surf is good. I have this place marked on every GPS app that I own. It's where I take myself, my family, and my friends. The surf is always great, the people are always friendly, the lifeguards make me feel safe and secure, and the sunsets here are unmatched. If you're looking for a Texas beach to check out, don't pass up J. P. Luby. And be sure to grab a yellow trash bag at the beach entrance (either people posted up there handing them out, or they can be found by the bathrooms near the jetty). Please keep this beach as beautiful as you found it

Loved this beach! Great surf and waves and well kept. Everyone there was respectful of one another and kept the beach clean. Only wish they had better showering facilities and a changing room.

Great beach! Love the atmosphere and cleanliness of the beach. Still we have to do our part to keep it that way.

You can drive your car right up to the surf. If you are looking for simple pleasure of getting in the water, this is the place for you. No bathrooms, rentals, eateries, just simple beachfront. 12. bucks to get in and you get a parking dash sticker pass to get in for the rest of the year. Tip: Try to avoid heavy dunes, saw a couple cars in need of rescue, seek packed sand for your driving lane.

Great beach water was clean and clear. Plenty of room for kids to play and nice atmosphere.

One of top 3 beaches to visit in Corpus. Don't be duped in to thinking this is famous South Padre. This is just Padre Island/Mustang Island. Also don't think that the beaches near the hotels are the best either since those are mainly for the tourists. Come here or to Port Aransas or to the Bali Surf Park. Be careful when parking on the beach, try to stay where it's been compacted other wise you'll get stuck. Which means parking a little further way from the beach. Yes it sucks to have to walk back to your car through hot sand but it's better then have to push it out with your flip flops on. Believe it or not even trucks can get stuck.Google to get better Map Directions

This is the best beach in Corpus Christi. Hold me to that. Water is CLEAR. Sand dollars everywhere. Public little cabanas for people to use. Free parking. What more could you ask for? Sad I didn't find this beach sooner than I did.

Lovely beach; Clean; Wish portable bathroom and outside shower was better but glad to at least have one