Padre Island National Seashore

Padre Island National Seashore encompasses 133,000 acres of America's vanishing barrier
islands. It is the longest remaining undeveloped barrier island in the world. White sand
beaches, interior grasslands, ephemeral ponds and the Laguna Madre provide habitat for
coyotes, waterfowl, reptiles and amphibians, nesting sea turtles, ground squirrels and
snakes. While providing food, water and shelter for a multitude of diverse wildlife, the
island remains a mecca for tourists. From sun bathing to wind surfing to fishing, the
island provides recreational opportunities for everyone needing to feel the wind in their
faces and the surf on their feet. (c2)(a0)

After exploring the other links on this page, be sure to click on the inDEPTH button for our expanded web pages. There you'll find additional information on subjects including FAQs, Camping, Traveling Down Island, Sea Turtles, Birding, Coyotes, Jellyfish, Wildflowers, Oil & Gas, and Beach Clean-ups.

Call our Hatchling Hotline at (361) 949-7163 for information on attending releases of baby sea turtles.

Go to the inDEPTH section to find out how to participate in organized events such as beach clean-ups and National Public Lands Day (Sept. 23, 2000)

Superintendent
PO Box 181300
Corpus Christi, TX 78480-1300
(361) 949-8173 - Headquarters
(361) 949-8068 - Visitor Information
949-7163 - Hatchling Hotline
(361) 949-8173 x227 - Resource Mgmt.
(361) 949-8175 - Today's Weather

By Plane
The nearest major airport is Corpus Christi International Airport.

By Car
The seashore is located southeast of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. Visitors to Corpus Christi should head East through the city on South Padre Island Drive (Highway 358). After crossing the JFK Causeway and the bridge onto Padre Island, continue about 10 miles south on Park Road 22.

By Plane
There is no regularly scheduled public or commercial transportation to the park.

Getting Around
There is no public or commercial transportation within the park.

The gulf shore is usually hot and humid. Shorts, tee-shirts and a hat are recommended. During the heat of the summer, sunscreen is highly recommended. Footwear on the beach is recommended due to the intense heat of the sand. Plenty of drinking water is always recommended.

Winters are usually mild with daytime temperatures ranging between 50-70F. Nighttime temperatures are usually 20 degress cooler, but very rarely does the temperature drop to freezing. Only a few days may reach into the 30's. Christmases or New Year's Days with clear, blue skies and temperatures in the 70's are not unusual.

Windsurfing weather: March, April, and May average 75% of days with winds over 15mph with frontal passages bringing much higher winds 2-3 days per week. From late May to late July there are consistent thermal winds usually increasing to 12-20 mph in the afternoons. For current wind speed call (361) 992-9463.

For daily park weather and tidal updates call (361) 949-8175.

For weekly local area weather (including marine forecasts) call (361) 289-1861.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Auto Touring
• Biking
• Boating
• Camping
• Educational Programs
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Swimming
• Wildlife Viewing
• Backpacking
• Bird Watching
• Nature Walks
• Stargazing
• Kayaking
• Scuba Diving
• Snorkeling

Recommended Activities
The park is noted primarily for its white sandy beaches. Recreational activities include swimming, surfing, bird watching, shelling, beach combing, sun bathing, driving down island, camping and fishing. Our Bird Island Basin area on the Laguna Madre is one of the top spots in the nation for windsurfing because of its steady wind, warm water, and shallow depths. Bird Island also has a boat-launching ramp for fishermen. Personal water craft, such as jet skis and skidoos, are permitted in park waters south of the five mile marker on the Gulf side but they are not permitted in park waters on the Laguna Madre. However, they may be launched from the boat ramp at Bird Island Basin, if they are to be used outside of the park boundaries and are taken directly there.

Click on image to enlarge.