Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore
4.5
About
A 15-minute drive from downtown Corpus Christi transports you to this magnificent 70-mile stretch of white sand beach, scenic dunes and warm ocean water, offering ideal conditions for swimming, fishing, beach-combing, windsurfing, camping, bird-watching and viewing wildlife.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,906 reviews
Excellent
1,322
Very good
426
Average
127
Poor
16
Terrible
15
395ernstg
16 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
This is a beautiful nature park, where one is allowed, after paying $10 for a day, to drive onto a fabulous beach for almost 60 miles. The wildlife on the beach is amazing, never have I seen so many species of birds fishing together.
However, this beach is a nightmare.
The amount of plastic that lingers around is astounding, and is augmented day by day by the visitors. These visitors also leave their garbage bags and broken tents on the beach.
And once you have established yourself on the beach for a vieuwing of the wildlife, the other visitors with their cars make it a “fun” spectacle to chase the birds into the sky, a never-ending spectacle througout the day, so many people having “fun” by driving at high speeds through clouds of birds, we saw several birds with broken wings.
And after the birds have returned to their feeding, along comes a yellow schoolbus selling icecream, its music so loud it once again makes all the birds take flight.
For lovers of nature this beach has a lot of horrors, the constant attack on the wildlife by the visitors is appaling.
However, this beach is a nightmare.
The amount of plastic that lingers around is astounding, and is augmented day by day by the visitors. These visitors also leave their garbage bags and broken tents on the beach.
And once you have established yourself on the beach for a vieuwing of the wildlife, the other visitors with their cars make it a “fun” spectacle to chase the birds into the sky, a never-ending spectacle througout the day, so many people having “fun” by driving at high speeds through clouds of birds, we saw several birds with broken wings.
And after the birds have returned to their feeding, along comes a yellow schoolbus selling icecream, its music so loud it once again makes all the birds take flight.
For lovers of nature this beach has a lot of horrors, the constant attack on the wildlife by the visitors is appaling.
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise A
United States40 contributions
Mar 2021
In my opinion, this is a must do when in Corpus Christie. The beaches are pristine, the sand is soft and white! We came after the bad winter cold of 2/21 so the flora were completely dead looking, unless that is their natural winter color. The winds were strong but warm at 70 degree temperatures. The visitors center, even during Covid 19 observance, was open and the volunteers were friendly and helpful. One very knowledgeable volunteer manned the exhibit desk describing the many shells, and skeletons on display. He also filled us in on the steps taken by the rangers, the local Sealife Aquarium, and locals who rescued thousands of sea turtles from the frigid waters. A great effort for wildlife. The beach was easy to drive our 25' RV on where we had lunch with a beautiful view. Be aware: strong winds, loud surf, and sunblock needed.
Written March 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Foxonthego
104 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
The weather was cool and cloudy and not many people there. The seashore is nestled between the waves and the dunes. We happened to be there during a short talk at 1:00 and learned all about the wildlife of the area on the land, air and sea, and the damage from the record setting low temperatures this winter. Very interesting. There is a $10 charge per vehicle per day if you don’t have a park pass.
Written April 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher1326
Star, ID70 contributions
Jun 2020 • Business
The beach seen here is not like the beaches of the Pacific Ocean or Caribbean. The water is from the Gulf of Mexico and is often muddy with smaller waves. It is still the ocean and a great place to enjoy being outdoors, I just wouldn’t travel over 500 miles to it as a destination of choice.
Written June 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelton Wasilewsky
5 contributions
Nov 2019
I can't visit Texas without visiting the beach. EVERYTHING in Texas is priced to encourage you to visit. Florida charges $40 per night to park. Florida charges a $30 per night facility fee. One is broke before ever starting your vacation.
Written October 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Audra
World5 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a beautiful beach area out from the commercial area. It has great views and the visitor's center has nice picnic tables and a viewing deck. The facilities are not as nice, but there are changing rooms, showers and bathrooms. If you want to spend more than about an hour and a half here, I would recommend packing a cooler and a tent or umbrella to create some shade. When I went on a Friday, the beach was pretty busy, but walking a little bit to one side created some space and was much nicer. I would go here again for the views and the lovely beach area, but I would definitely want to be more prepared next time!
Written July 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
waynewaddell
Maple Ridge, Canada52 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
What a beautiful place to spend a day. We went with a group of 6. Took a boat ride on the Dream Tour boat. Watched the dolphins plays as we cruise by the shore of the Gulf of Mexico and the up the inlet to see Brownsville which must be the scape yard /boat building capital of North America. Our captain was very informative of what was going on in the area as he was born and raised in the area. Then a walk on the beach to watch the waves roll in. Great place!!!
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Burtler
52 contributions
Jan 2020
We decided to drive from downtown Corpus Christi to this beautiful beach. We opted not to enter the national park (fee area) and go to the visitor's center because we had other attractions planned. Instead, we turned off to another area to access the seashore. It is simply magnificent. We enjoyed walking on the white, sandy beach, dipping our toes in the warm water. Bird watching was great - there were many different birds flying and seemed like they were enjoying the beach like we were. Other visitors were walking dogs along the shore and others were fishing. It was a beautiful spot and definitely a lovely place for a picnic.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GREENLANTURN36
29 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
So we camped out on the beach and it was in July. What a great experience we were not completely prepared and made the best of it. The sunset and the stary night sky was well worth it with a bond fire burning. We got up super early and watch the beautiful sunrise for 4 days and also watched nature do its thing. Do take bug spray it is needed and sand fleas weren't that bad. Fishing was great for the kids along with the turtle releases that I finally saw after many years of coming here.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DL2Some
Detroit Lakes, MN874 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We were unable to drive on the beach due to high winds and water, but it would be a great place to spend time on a normal day. The miles of sand are inviting and the ocean is mesmerizing. You need a permit to park on the beach - available at Stripes for $12 a year.
Written April 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I'm planning a trip to padre Island from plano tx. Can I drive directly in? Or will I need a ferry at any time? Thank you
Nick J
Austin, TX126 contributions
You can drive through Corpus Christi on 358 which will take you over the JFK Causeway. You do have the option to take your car onto a short ferry trip at Port Aransas. It's a beautiful drive over the island and I hope you have a great trip!
Jennifer Dunn
Oklahoma City, OK
Where is the north Padre island visitors center
bingo-dingo
Oklahoma City, OK49 contributions
At Malaquite Beach. Cross the bridge to the part of Corpus that's on North Padre and go south at the intersection of 361 and Padre Island Drive. It's about 15 miles down and you have to pay to enter the park before you get there.
john r
Fayetteville, AR
We have a travel trailer. Where is the best to beach camp?
Patricia H
Grandville, MI39 contributions
There is a link to information on camping if you search for the website for the seashore. We are not campers, but did drive by the Bird Island site where the waters are calm and some people do kite surfing there - interesting to watch. Some people also were fishing there. The water is shallow for quite a ways so to fish need to wade out. Hope this helps.
Derek Lalonde
White Rock, Canada
Air craft carries museum
Paul D
Kansas City, MO24 contributions
The USS Lexington is located at Corpus Christi Bay across from the Aquarium. It is not on Padre Island. I recommend both and making a day of it.
Ricardo R
2 contributions
Vou passar um final de semana em Corpus Christ, Texas, e procuro uma praia muito bonita com chuveiro com água doce pois levarei crianças. Aceito sugestões. Muito obrigado.
Do I have to take a ferry to South Padre Island
bigbassfishen
Corpus Christi, TX3 contributions
No, there are other back ways to it.
If it's forecast to rain some, can you safely park an rv on the beach?
Pamela C
18 contributions
The Rangers would be the best ones to answer this question on the day you are there. It really does depend on the tides and the amount of rain expected.
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