Padre Island National Seashore • Texas

Yellow flowers bloom in the dunes along Malaquite Beach.

Small shell fragments in the sand long the beach.

Two deer feed on grass. Their antlers have velvet on them.

Several sea turtle hatchlings crawl on the sand towards the Gulf of Mexico.

A hawk like bird with an orange beak stands on a fence post.

Small wooden structures are seen looking through a wood fence.

Several brown pelicans stand on the sand next to the edge of the sea.

Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline Laguna Madre, tidal mud flats teem with life. Native Americans, Spanish explorers and cattle ranchers have walked along its shores. Padre Island National Seashore is waiting to be rediscovered.

Yellow flowers bloom in the dunes along Malaquite Beach.
NPS Photo/ Thomas DiGiovannangelo

Depending on the conditions, shells can be found along the gulf beaches.
NPS Photo/ Sue Wolfe

Deer can often be seen foraging in the grasslands.
NPS Photo/ Kara Rogers

Attending a sea turtle hatchling release is a popular activity in the mid-summer.
NPS Photo

The crested caracara, also known as the Mexican eagle, can be found year-round in the park.
NPS Photo/ Sue Wolfe

The historic Novillo Line Camp provides a window into the island's past ranching history.
NPS Photo

Brown pelicans can often be seen along the Gulf of Mexico.
NPS Photo/ Sue Wolfe

A sand trail lined with flowers leads to a beach.

Top Ten Tips for Visiting the Park

Discover the top ten tips for visiting Padre Island National Seashore and make your trip a great one!

A park intern tell a group of children about shells that are found on the beach.

Ranger-led Programs

Attending a ranger-led program is a great way to learn about the park.

A sea turtle hatchling crawls on the beach as people look on.

Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases

Learn about sea turtle hatchling releases happening in the park.

A man stands at one of several fishing poles stuck in the sand near the water on an overcast day.

Fishing is a great way to enjoy the park whether you're doing it from the beach or laguna or out on a boat.

A crested caracara stands on sandy ground with tall grass and looks off camera to the right

As a globally important area for migratory birds, the park is a favorite location for birders any time of the year.

A hand holding a small shell.

Search for seashells and sea beans.

A blue jeep pulling small, red trailer is parked on the beach with the dunes behind.

Driving Down Island

Explore some of the more remote areas of the park by driving down the beach. 4-wheel drive is always recommended.

White tent on the beach with vegetated dunes behind and a cloudy-blue sky above.

Learn more about the park's two campgrounds as well as primitive camping on the beach.

Last updated: April 1, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 181300
Corpus Christi, TX 78480

Phone:

(361) 949-8068
Malaquite Visitor Center information line.

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