Closed Beach(Close Beach)

For dining near Padre Island, South Padre Island offers a variety of restaurants. Louie's Backyard is a popular spot for surf 'n' turf with multiple bars and live music. Blackbeards' is known for its casual seafood and festive atmosphere. Cafe On The Beach provides a relaxed setting with ocean views, serving traditional American fare. Sea Ranch Restaurant offers local wild-caught seafood with marina views. LongBoard Bar and Grill is a lively spot with live music and beachfront dining.

For accommodations near Padre Island, South Padre Island offers several options. The Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island is part of the Schlitterbahn water park, offering beachfront lodging. The Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront provides modern quarters with ocean views. Sand Rose Beach Resort offers beachfront accommodations with an outdoor pool. The Isla Grand Beach Resort features casual beachfront rooms with multiple pools. Margaritaville Beach Resort is an upscale option with live entertainment.

Padre Island National Seashore offers several amenities to enhance visitor experiences. The Malaquite Visitor Center provides restrooms, showers, and picnic areas. Beach wheelchairs and walkers are available for those needing assistance. The park also features campgrounds like Bird Island Basin, which offers boat and swimming access to the Laguna Madre. Additionally, there are trash cans throughout the park to encourage proper waste disposal.

For outdoor enthusiasts, kayaks and windsurfing equipment are available for rent within the park boundaries. The park's remote setting means that visitors should be prepared with necessary supplies and equipment for their activities.

Accessibility is a priority, with service animals allowed throughout the park, and facilities like restrooms and parking areas designed to be wheelchair accessible.

Padre Island National Seashore offers a wide range of activities for visitors. Beachcombing and shell hunting are popular pastimes, with areas like Little Shell Beach and Big Shell Beach known for their abundant shells. The park is also a prime spot for birdwatching, with over 300 species of birds visiting the area annually. For those interested in water sports, kayaking and windsurfing are available, taking advantage of the park's access to the Laguna Madre.

The park's natural trails, such as the Grasslands Nature Trail, provide opportunities for hiking and exploring the diverse ecosystems of the island. Additionally, visitors can participate in ranger-led programs and watch sea turtle releases, which are a unique and educational experience.

Camping is another popular activity, with options available for both tents and RVs, though most of the beach requires four-wheel-drive vehicles to access.

Padre Island National Seashore strives to provide accessible facilities for all visitors. Beach wheelchairs and walkers are available for loan at the Malaquite Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis. The park's restrooms and parking areas are designed to be wheelchair accessible, ensuring that visitors with disabilities can enjoy the park's amenities. Service animals are also permitted throughout the park, including on beaches and trails, to assist visitors with disabilities.

Parking at Padre Island National Seashore is generally accessible, though most of the beach is only open to four-wheel-drive vehicles. There are designated parking areas near the Malaquite Visitor Center and other access points. However, parking is limited in some areas, and visitors should be prepared to walk or use alternative modes of transportation to reach more remote parts of the park.

The park does not charge for parking, but there is an entrance fee to access the national seashore. It's important to note that no overnight parking is allowed in certain areas, and visitors should check park regulations before leaving their vehicles.

Proximity to the beach varies depending on the parking location, with some areas requiring a short walk to reach the shoreline.

Padre Island National Seashore is home to the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, the most endangered sea turtle species in the world. The park plays a crucial role in their conservation by protecting their nesting sites and hosting public turtle releases.

The island is named after Father José Nicolás Ballí, a missionary priest who owned the island in the early 19th century. It is also significant for its historical shipwrecks, remnants of which can still be found along the shoreline.

The park's unique ecosystems support a wide range of wildlife, including coyotes, deer, and over 300 species of birds, making it a premier destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Padre Island National Seashore itself is a major attraction, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities. The Laguna Madre, a hypersaline lagoon, is another significant feature, providing a habitat for numerous fish and bird species. The park's observation deck at the Malaquite Visitor Center offers excellent views for spotting wildlife.

For those interested in exploring beyond the park, nearby attractions include the city of Corpus Christi, which offers a variety of cultural and historical sites. The USS Lexington Museum and the Texas State Aquarium are popular destinations in the area.

South Padre Island, located at the southern end of Padre Island, offers a more vibrant beach experience with shops, restaurants, and water sports.