In addition to just sitting and relaxing on the beach at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas, there are all sorts of other activities to enjoy, especially if you like beachcombing, fishing, boating and paddling, swimming, windsurfing, or driving down island to explore more of Padre Island’s wild coastline.

Malaquite Beach, a part of the larger North Beach at Padre Island National Seashore / Rebecca Latson

Speaking of beaches, there are several beaches along this national seashore, five of which are named. From north to south:

• North Beach
• Closed Beach
• South Beach
• Little Shell Beach
• Big Shell Beach

To read about these beaches, click here.

Swimming

Feel like dipping your toes (and entire body) in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters? You can do that, with some caution.

According to staff:

Swimming and wading are allowed in the Gulf of Mexico along North Beach, Malaquite Beach, and South Beach, and in the Laguna Madre at Bird Island Basin. The Malaquite Beach area near the visitor center provides ample parking, picnic areas, restrooms and showers.

Use caution when swimming and never swim alone. Strong currents flowing parallel to the beach, tides flowing to-and-from the beach, and sudden drop-offs in the ocean floor can be hazardous for swimmers and waders alike.

The Gulf of Mexico is a natural environment. Hazardous marine life such as jellyfish and stingrays may be present.

To learn about the colored flag warning system employed by this national seashore, as well as what to do if caught in a rip current, click here.

The beach warning flag can be found displayed below the U.S. flag at the Malaquite Visitor Center, Padre Island National Seashore / NPS-Thomas Digiovannangelo

Beachcombing

Who doesn’t like walking along a beach and finding a seashell, sea bean, or other “treasure” washed up from the ocean depths? You can do that along the sandy beaches of this national seashore, collecting enough to fill the one-gallon (3.79 liter) container limit. You’ll find all sorts of things, from colorful crab carapaces to tiny coquina seashells to everything in between. Just remember, if a shell still has an animal living in it, please put it back where you found it.

You might spy a lightning whelk egg case while beachcombing at Padre Island National Seashore / Rebecca Latson

You might also come across a calico box crab carapace during your beachcombing adventure at Padre Island National Seashore / Rebecca Latson

While you are at it, do something good for the park and environment by grabbing a free trash bag at the Malaquite Visitor Center and picking up the trash flotsam and jetsam while picking up seashells.

Sea turtles will often mistake trash like these plastic water bottles for food and take a bite out of them, Padre Island National Seashore / Rebecca Latson

Fishing

Fishing is a popular pastime at Padre Island National Seashore / NPS - Mimi Gorman

Feel like doing a little saltwater fishing? You may do so if you have a valid Texas fishing license and endorsement. Check out the weekly fishing report before heading to the beach, and remember, visitors fishing within Padre Island National Seashore must follow the fishing license requirements in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Fishing licenses are not available for purchase inside of the national seashore.

If you don’t have any fishing gear, check out Padre Island Light Tackle Adventures, authorized by the National Park Service to offer fishing charter services for one or more days of surf fishing along this national seashore’s remote beaches.

You can also check out other charter services and fishing gear rental outfits by clicking here.

For more detailed information about fishing at this national seashore, Texas fishing rules and regulations, fish consumption, and aquatic invasive species, click on the “Fishing” link above.

Boating, Paddling, Windsurfing

Boating is popular in Texas and especially on the Gulf of Mexico. Most boaters launch from the only developed boat ramp in the park - Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp – into Laguna Madre for fishing there as well as further south into Baffin Bay.

Be aware, Laguna Madre is a very shallow body of water, averaging around 4.5 feet (1.4 m) deep, and special consideration needs to be taken for navigation. Use a trolling motor or push pole in these waters. Fragile sea grass beds and tidal mud flats are susceptible to scarring by boat hulls and large motors. These areas are vital habitats to fish populations.

Laguna Madre’s shallow waters are also great for both beginning and experienced paddlers. If you don’t own or didn’t bring along your own paddling gear, you can rent kayaks and standup paddleboards, as well as windsurfing gear and lessons at Worldwinds Windsurfing.

FYI, kite surfing/boarding is prohibited.

If you decide to head into deeper waters, the maintained shipping channel of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway has an average depth of 12 feet (3.7 m) and acts as the western boundary of the national seashore. Large boat and barge traffic is common in maintained shipping channel.

While plying the waters of Padre Island National Seashore, you should know Texas state law requires all children under 13 years to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while aboard recreational vessels under 26 ft (7.9 m) in length when underway (including drifting or not at anchor). Adults must have a properly fitting life jacket that is easily accessible.

Driving Down Island

This national seashore in Texas allows vehicles on the 66 miles (106.2 km) of beaches. As a matter of fact, popular areas of the park such as Little Shell Beach, Big Shell Beach, Yarborough Pass, and Mansfield Channel can only be reached by driving along Padre Island’s coastline.

It pays to be prepared when driving these sandy beaches. This includes checking the weather forecast, tide tables, park alerts, having supplies in your vehicle, and letting someone know of your plans. Choosing the right vehicle for your down-island adventure is also important. 4-wheel drive (4WD) is recommended even over all-wheel drive (AWD). Two-wheel drive vehicles are only allowed on North Beach and South Beach from mile marker 0-5.

For more detailed information about down-island driving, including speed limits, regulations, tide information, obstacles and hazards, recommended supplies, and a description of the places you can explore, click on the “Driving Down Island” header above.

Don't be caught in a high tide while driving down island at Padre Island National Seashore / NPS - Charles Sassine