Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore is a nature reserve and national park along the coast near Corpus Christi. The area features a long barrier island with sandy beaches, salt marshes, and shallow lagoons where seabirds nest and sea turtles come ashore.
The island formed over thousands of years as a natural sand barrier protecting the mainland coast from storms. It was established as a national park in 1962 to protect the sensitive coastal ecosystem and sea turtle nesting grounds.
The park is accessible by a long bridge from the mainland and has parking areas plus a visitor center with information. The best time to visit is during cooler months, and sturdy shoes are recommended since sand terrain can be uneven.
The park is home to the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, one of the world's rarest turtle species, which comes here to nest during summer months. Visitors can book special night tours to observe these endangered animals during their nesting ritual.
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