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Padre Island National Seashore is located southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas on the Gulf Coast. Padre Island is the longest barrier island in the world. And, the national seashore protects 70 miles of coastline. It is the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the world.
It’s out of the way, but so worth a visit if you can make it for some of the rarities you’ll find here. Like the Laguna Madre and the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Hatchings.
We visited the island over the course of the summer and were able to get in free each time because of the Every Kid in a Park Pass. If you haven’t heard about this pass you should check it out. It allows a 4th grader and their family into national parks across the country for free!
Laguna Madre
This national seashore separates the Gulf from the Laguna Madre, which is Spanish for ‘mother lagoon.’ It is a hypersaline (saltier than the ocean) lagoon. And, is super rare. This type of lagoon ecosystem is one of only six like it in the entire world.
This ecosystem is a destination for countless migrating bird species. It is also home to unique plant life, fish, and endangered species.
Find out more about the Laguna Madre.
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
The Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle is the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world.
Every summer, the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle recovery project at Padre Island National Seashore releases hundreds of these baby sea turtles to the ocean. And the beach turns into a magical place. It feels like a big adventure heading to the beach at dawn to see these baby turtles start their life in the ocean.
This event takes place at sunrise because, after hatching the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle heads towards the sun in the early mornings. Rather than towards the light of the moon like other sea turtles.
We were able to see a hatchling release. But, the releases are unpredictable. The park cannot regularly schedule or guarantee the public release because sometimes the turtles are ready ahead of schedule. I had to check their FB page around 2 AM to make sure it was still on for that day. The baby turtles only have so much energy to get to the ocean and if their behavior changes and they’re ready to go they let them go, no matter what time it is.
But, this is part of what being a part of this makes it feel so special.
When we arrived we followed about a hundred other visitors down to the beach. We stood around a roped off area as the turtles were set onto the sand.
The Kemp’s Ridley is one of the smallest sea turtles in the world. But those tiny babies slowly made their way to the water as we looked on. There was a team of park employees and volunteers holding large nets over the hatchlings to protect them from birds searching for breakfast.
Find Out More:
Here is a link to find out more about the Kemp’s Ridley and hatchling releases at Padre Island.
Here are some Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Facts for Kids.
Little Shell Beach
Not far from the visitor’s center is another great spot at this national seashore, Little Shell Beach. The kids found all kinds of things to look at. There is an abundance of Coquina Clams at this beach in every color you can imagine. It’s almost like the ground is moving there are so many. When the water hits these tiny mollusks they begin to burrow down in the sand. The kids couldn’t get enough of watching them. Here’s a video of these little clams in action.
Padre Island National Seashore is certainly an out of the way stop. But, definitely worth visiting, especially with kids, if you get the chance.
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Have you ever been to Padre Island?
Let me know in the comments.
Heidi
