Gail P.
Yelp
The Laguna Madre Nature Trail is a 1,500-foot boardwalk that starts out near the South Padre Island Convention Center and meanders on out to the Laguna Madre wetlands. This is a HOT SPOT for major bird-watching! Here is where you will find people walking around with binoculars and long-lenses cameras--very excited about spotting some rare migratory bird. Throughout the year, more than 300 species of birds pass through the South Padre Island area and here is the best place to see them in their natural habitat.
The Trail also incorporates a Butterfly Garden and has lots of plantings specifically geared to attracting butterflies and birds with their flowers, seeds or foliage. There is even a Memorial Creek that has water tumbling down amid rocks that the birds really seem to enjoy dipping in. The Wave Shuttle driver told me that a while back someone put two small alligators into the wetlands area here and they have now since grown into two very large (and hungry) alligators, although I never sighted them when I visited.
The wooden boardwalk is very well built. There are lots of signs giving information as to what you are looking at or should be looking for. I love that the "Whaling Wall" is nearby. Try and visit in the cooler morning or later afternoon hours as it can get toasty here. In fact, I had to deduct 1 YELP STAR from the Laguna Madre Nature Trail for there not being a bench or seat for people to rest on--especially in the shade.
While waiting for the Wave Shuttle, I was forced to squeeze myself into the one shady area under a big tree and dodge bees buzzing around the area I leaned against. South Padre Island nature-lovers could easily sponsor some kind of memorial bench they could place for people to use for seating along the road where the Wave Shuttle runs.
