Laguna Madre

A group of White Pelicans
White pelicans are a winter resident of the park and can be found on the Laguna Madre. They migrate to northern latitudes in the summer.

NPS Photo/ Naaman Horn

On the western side of Padre Island rests the Laguna Madre, one of six hypersaline lagoon/bays in the world. Its shallow waters, averaging about 3.6 feet deep (1.1 m), teem with life, as fish, shrimp, and crab can be found in abundance. Bird species such as redhead ducks, white pelicans, long-billed curlews, great egrets, white ibis, and the occasional roseate spoonbill can be found feeding in the shallow waters and along tidal mudflats.

Within the park, Bird Island Basin provides the best access to the Laguna Madre. The area is one of the premier windsurfing locations in the United States and has the only boat ramp in the park.

 

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    Last updated: November 11, 2023

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