Malaquite Beach - Padre Island, Texas

Address:Padre Island, Texas

Malaquite Beach, Texas located on the Gulf Coast south of Corpus Christi is one of the more popular Padre Island beaches. If you are looking for wild spring-break South Padre Island spirit, this beach is not the place. In fact, Malaquite Beach is not even on South Padre Island. It is part of the Padre Island National Seashore, a mostly-unspoiled 80 mile stretch of sand, water and wildlife. The beach is family friendly, with the full range of facilities and services, including showers, convenience stores and picnic areas. And, of course you can drive your car right on the sand to the spot of your choice. Be aware that most of the National Seashore is accessible only by 4 wheel drive vehicles.

Besides the usual beach activities, including fishing, swimming and boating, there is a very interesting hiking trail leaving from the visitors center. An easy loop, the Grasslands Nature Trail covers much of what padre Island has to offer.

There are a few options for camping on Malaquite Beach, ranging from parking the big rig in the campground to pitching a tent right among the dunes. The campgrounds have about 50 semi-primitive sites with toilets, water and waste disposal but no full hook-ups and is located a half mile from the visitors center. If you are looking for a Texas Gulf Coast camping trip that is more primitive, just keep driving down the beach and camp where you feel like it. This is Texas, after all.