Padre Blvd ends 12 miles north of Isla Blanca. North of here, another 20 miles of empty sand and dunes stretch all the way to Port Mansfield Pass. Nude sunbathers, anglers, bird-watchers and other outdoorsy types can find a sandy acre to call their own; vehicles can drive on the beach, but be wary of soft sand.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Edwin King Atwood County Park

5.67 MILES

Two miles north of Bowie, signed as Beach Access 5, Atwood sports towering sand dunes backing the beach. This is a beautiful, unspoiled area with nothing…

2. Andy Bowie County Park

7.38 MILES

Across from (SPI) Convention Center, this pleasant beach park is surrounded by condo and hotel developments. It has a shaded picnic building with views…

4. Sea Turtle, Inc

7.67 MILES

No, you can't handle the sea turtles. But you can see rescued turtles and learn firsthand about the slow regrowth of critically endangered Kemp's ridley…

6. Port Isabel Lighthouse

11.72 MILES

The Port Isabel Lighthouse was built (of brick) in 1852, and remained in use until 1905. A climb up its 70 somewhat-precarious steps yields great views of…

7. Port Isabel Historical Museum

11.82 MILES

Built (in 1899) sturdily of bricks to resist storms, the home of the history museum served at various times as the town’s railroad station, post office…

8. Treasures of the Gulf Museum

11.83 MILES

Sunken treasure! That's the focus of this fun museum, which displays artifacts from three Spanish galleons that went down nearby in 1554. It does a good…