How to Enjoy Padre Island National Seashore

South Padre island is a small beach resort town in the eastern tip of Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley. Encompassing 133,000 acres of barrier islands, Padre National Seashore is known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, warm gulf water and a plethora of recreational activities. The island is famous for its party atmosphere, luxurious hotels and splendid cuisine.

South Padre island is an ideal resort for those who cherish solitude and enjoy water sports. It offers something for every visitor, young or old. Here are some tips to enjoy the Padre Island National Seashore.

  1. It is important to decide when to go. The park is open all the year and conducts activities year-round. Summer temperature is warm while winter temperature may too cool to swim or hit the beach.
  2. The next step is to choose your accommodation. You can fly into Corpus Christi, then rent a car and drive southeast to the park. There is no regularly scheduled public or commercial transportation in the park.
  3. Choose lodging beforehand. South Padre island has plenty of hotels, motels, campgrounds, family-rooms and other cheap discount hotels to choose from. The seashore park has two campgrounds; semi or completely primitive, and on a first-come first-serve basis. No camping reservations are accepted, so make sure that you reach the place well in advance.
  4. Stop at the visitor center, located at the Malaquite beach, and pick up maps, trail guides and books on the area. You can also watch a 12-minute orientation to the park, and get instructions to stay safe within the parks boundaries.
  5. South Padre island is famous for its beaches. So don’t forget to explore them. Whether you walk or drive, be sure to see the miles and miles of beaches and interior grasslands. You can walk the ¾ mile Grasslands Nature trail, located near the Park’s entrance station.
  6. Look for sea turtles. You will find that a lot of sea turtles have laid their eggs at the park. After the eggs get hatched, the young turtles are released into the Gulf of Mexico, so that the park guests can learn and watch them.
  7. The Texas coast is one of the country’s prime birding locations. Best times for birding are during spring and fall, when migratory birds line up along the coast. Be sure to pick up a checklist to keep a track of what’s around.
  8. Lastly, do enjoy all the recreational activities that this island is famous for. The various activities that you can enjoy here are swimming, bungee jumping, parasailing, swimming, fishing and sun bathing. Nature lovers can enjoy guided tours to wildlife parks and other sites. South Padre island is famous for its’ unique and vivid wildlife.

So visit this place and have a blast!

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