Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times file

WIND AND WAVES: Many people camp, windsurf and launch their boats at Bird Island Basin on Padre Island National Seashore.

Islands offer sandy haven

National seashore, Mustang Island State Park have sun, sand and surf

By Mike Bratten/Caller-Times

At 65 miles long, Padre Island National Seashore is the longest section of undeveloped barrier island in the world.

A four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary after the first few miles. Visitors can enjoy good fishing and shelling year-round, and camping on the beach is permitted.

The visitors center at Malaquite Beach offers a bathhouse and sells snacks and souvenirs, and guests can rent umbrellas and other beach items. Entry fee to the park is $10 per car, good for seven days. A one-year pass is $20. Those with RVs or trailers can stay at the Malaquite Beach campground, which includes about 45 blacktop sites, picnic tables, a dump station, showers and restrooms. No electrical or water hook-ups are available. Sites are $8 per night.

Wildlife may be seen
Also at Padre Island National Seashore is Bird Island Basin, where many people go to camp, windsurf and launch boats.

Sea turtles, deer, raccoons and coyotes are a few of the animals you might find at the National Seashore, not to mention plenty of shorebirds.

Researchers at Padre Island National Seashore are working to shore up the numbers of threatened and endangered sea turtle species that visit local beaches, and the public can view some of those efforts.

Sea turtle species at the National Seashore include the Kemp’s ridley — the most critically endangered sea turtle in the world. To hear a hatchling release schedule, call the Hatchling Hotline at 949-7163.

Mustang also a haven
North of the National Seashore on State Highway 361 is Mustang Island State Park, another sandy haven for campers, anglers and swimmers. Facilities near the headquarters include campsites with water and electricity and restrooms with showers. South of the main swimming area are undesignated campsites and showers for rinsing. The five miles of open beach are ideal for hiking and biking.

Entrance fees are $3 per person per day. Children 12 and younger enter free. Sites are $15 per night, overnight primitive camping, $7.

Information: Padre Island National Seashore, 949-8068; Mustang Island State Park, (361) 749-5246.

This article is originally from the Caller-Times publication South Texas Life.
View the original publication.