My 2nd visit to Padre Island National Seashore was just as fun as my first visit – See Corpus Christi Post from 2yrs ago.
The weather was not as amazing as last time, mainly due to high winds and a couple cloudy/foggy days. But that’s fine considering I was there for two full weeks, I got plenty of sunshine.
Padre Island National Seashore has 2 developed campgrounds; Bird Island Basin ($8) and Malaquite ($14 per night). North Beach and South Beach allow free dispersed camping right on the beach. Be mindful of high tides – obtain tide table from the visitor center or install a tide app on your phone.
At the Visitor Center 
Kites 
Malaquite Visitor Center has a gift store, offers ranger programs, cold showers, vending machines and picnic tables.
I took a bird tour offered free of charge by park volunteers. It was from 9:30 until almost 1 pm! We spotted so many birds, the volunteers knew their birds and knew exactly how and where to spot them.
When we came back there was a kite festival on the beach.
The birds were huge. I really enjoyed watching them fly over my camp.
Malaquite campground has flush toilets, cold-water showers, and paved parking. Each site has a picnic table, shade structures and grills. There are no hook-ups available anywhere in the park. Since I have solar I didn’t see it worth paying $14 per night. Unfortunately since I didn’t stay there I don’t have any pictures of that campground. Here is the website link: https://www.nps.gov/pais/planyourvisit/malaquite_campground.htm
I did stay at Bird Island Basin Campground for a few days, only because ocean-side was very windy, and I needed a break from that. This side of the island offers windsurfing, kayaking, boating, birding and fishing. The campground is a simple parking lot, pretty much no amenities other than a few picnic tables, restrooms and garbage. You can rent kayaks and wind surfing equipment on the spot!
I stayed directly on South Beach most of my stay, tucked against the dunes. The views were just breathtaking from morning sunrise to sunset over the dunes. Stay on the beach requires a free permit that can be obtained by the entrance.
Aesop had a good time as always, he loves being a beach-bum.
The day and night skies gave me light. The moon lit up the beach so bright for a few nights.
We found some pretty sea creatures and seashells while strolling down the beach. But also found balloons. Please stop doing balloon releases, they end up littering our parks, forest, beaches and killing wildlife.
Even the cloudy and windy days were fun. Still went to the beach for a mini hike along the coast.
We will definitely be back to visit Padre Island. There were many people car and tent camping as well. Don’t think this beach adventure is limited to RV-ers.
Also, on my way from Brazos Bend 
to Corpus Christi 
I made an overnight stop at Magnolia Beach for a night of free primitive camping! I’m so glad I did, the spot was so beautiful and serene.
I finally found out the name of the below flower, it’s called Gaillardia pulchella (firewheel, Indian blanket, Indian blanketflower, or sundance). I woke up right before sunrise the next morning and saw the beautiful glow of light over the water.
I was so sad to leave this behind, but the adventures must go on… I’m headed west.
