The beaches of Padre Island National Seashore offer many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, hiking, picnicking, horse riding, biking, camping, fishing, volleyball, swimming, paddleboarding, boating, kayaking, canoeing, surf-skiing, and wildlife watching. The beaches at this national seashore are ideal for beginner swimmers, kayakers, and canoers because the Gulf of Mexico water here is known to have mild and manageable waves, particularly during summers.

In addition to swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, other popular activities at Padre Island National Seashore include windsurfing, kayaking, and canoeing in a nearby lagoon named Laguna Madre. If you are planning to swim, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or surf-ski here, we recommend being careful because the water here is known to have unpredictable rip currents, dangerous waves, and occasionally severe undertows. In addition, surfing is also prohibited here, and Portuguese man o’ war and stingrays have also been known to live nearby.

If you are planning to kayak or canoe at this national seashore, please note that visitors are prohibited from launching canoes or kayaks from the portion of Malaquite Beach located directly in front of the Malaquite Visitor Center.

If you like fishing, the best time for fishing here is between the months of August and October. If you like beachcombing, we recommend visiting the beaches here on summer mornings, winter and spring days during low tide, and after storms. In addition, two beaches of Padre Island National Seashore – Big Shell Beach and Little Shell Beach – are particularly great for beachcombing.

If you like driving your car on the beach, you can drive your car on two of Padre Island National Seashore’s beaches named Padre Island North Beachand Padre Island South Beach – these two beaches are located on Padre Island National Seashore’s northern end and southern end respectively.

If you are planning to drive your car on these two beaches of Padre Island National Seashore, please visit the National Park Service’s website for more information regarding the beach driving regulations.

There are multiple campsites at this national seashore that offer a fun oceanfront camping experience. If you are planning to camp at Padre Island National Seashore, please visit the National Park Service’s website for more information regarding the campsite amenities and charges.

If you like hiking, there is a hiking trail here named the Grasslands Nature Trail and this trail offers a fun way to explore the local coastal biodiversity.