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the Island to rent just about any- Port Isabel Historical
thing you can think of that will Museum / Treasures of
let you propel through the water, the Gulf Museum
swim with the fish or soar with The Port Isabel Historical
the birds. Waverunners, stand up Museum is housed in the
paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and historic Champion Building
banana boats, just to name a few, which was built in 1899. The
can be rented for as little as one- museum is a state-of-the-
half hour to whatever your heart art facility housing hands on
desires. Kiteboarding and wind- exhibits, audio presentations
surfing are also popular water and videos that commemorate
sports and the shallow water of the history of the area. The
the Laguna Madre and the brisk museum has two exhibit levels,
winds provide the perfect play- a theater and gift shop. On the
ground for these activities. south end of the building is the
There is also a wide array of famous “fish mural” painted in
opportunities to tour the Island 1906 by a local fisherman. The
by land and water. From amphib- Treasures of the Gulf Museum
ious vehicles to catamarans and tells the story of the three
horseback riding — we have ill-fated Spanish ships that
it all! Pick your favorites and wrecked off the northern end
make a day of it! There is noth- of the Island in 1554. Hands on
ing more breathtaking than the displays allow visitors to try on
view of the Island from the sky, period clothing and map out
so for the more adventuresome a treasure site. There is also a
don’t forget to try your hand at children’s section with a small
parasailing, ziplining or skydiving. scale ship and a Children’s
Our birds are friendly and enjoy Discovery Lab. Both museums
the company. Swimming with the are located at 317 E. Railroad
fish on a half-day or full-day and are open Tuesday through
snorkel trip is another experience Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00
that should be had by all. p.m. For more information and
Another favorite water adven- current admission prices call
ture and big treat for the nature 956.943.7602
enthusiast is the dolphin. South RGV Reef
Padre Island has its very own RGV Reef is a result of a vision creating a cradle to adult fish Not only can you see completed
families of Bottlenose dolphins to build a great place to fish habitat for reef fish, primarily Red sand sculptures, but you might
that live in the rich waters of the 13 miles northeast of the South Snapper. It also turns out when also catch one of the local masters
Laguna Madre bay and can be seen Padre Island Jetties. The goal of you get it right for all the life working on their latest project on
near shore playing and frolicking this amazing project is to put stages of Red Snapper, you have the Sandcastle Trail. Because our
in the waves. Our dolphins are more fish back in the Gulf of a reef for all fish. Worms, shrimp, sand sculptures are made of sand
wild and free, can be seen year Mexico than is taken out, pri- and turtles, too. At 1,650 acres, and water, they are vulnerable to
round, and live their entire lives marily Red Snapper, by alleviat- it’s the largest, and most com- the time, weather and people. Our
here raising their babies and feed- ing a juvenile snapper survival plex, artificial reef off the Texas local masters, and their assistants,
ing on the rich food sources the bottleneck caused by a lack of Coast. The large size is to accom- work year round to maintain our
surrounding waters of the Island habitat. Mortality is high on the modate the very first industrial sand treasures.
have to offer. Please remember it is flat bottom of the Gulf. The idea scale reef fish nursery in the Gulf A longtime dream of South
against the law to swim with, feed came out of scientific research of Mexico. Padre Island Sandcastle Master
or touch wild dolphins. There are at the experimental level. RGV The people behind this amaz- Sandy Feet, work began on the
numerous dolphin watch boats Reef will be the first reef to pro- ing project, Friends of RGV Reef, individual sculptures that make-
that provide tours of our wat- vide that habitat on a large scale. are long time recreational , com- up the Sandcastle Trail in the
ers and our beautiful dolphin. All deployments are positioned mercial and charter fishermen, summer of 2013 after a financial
Point Isabel Lighthouse and spaced in ways and num- scuba divers, marine biologists commitment in matching funds
Complex bers that can be used for scien- leavened with contractors, busi- was received from the City of
The Point Isabel Lighthouse tific research. Most of the local nessmen and ranchers, all work- South Padre Island.
There are currently 28 sand-
Complex, located at 421 Queen research has been spearheaded ing together, striving to create a
Isabella Blvd., is home to the by Dr. Richard Kline with The self sustaining artificial reef with castles located all over the Island.
Stop by the SPI Visitors Center
Point Isabel Lighthouse and the University of Texas Rio Grande the steppingstones of habitat to at 610 Padre Blvd. to pick-up a
Keeper’s Cottage. The lighthouse Valley, the projects primary sci- actually increase the fish popula- map of the locations, and while
is the only one on the Texas coast ence advisor. What is being done tion. For more information about you are there be sure to take a
open to the public. The replica of is on the cutting edge of marine this project go to www.rgvreef. look at the largest sandcastle on
the Keeper’s Cottage at the base science, and The Harte Institute com the trail located out front on the
of the lighthouse serves as a of Corpus Christi and University Sandcastle Trail street. Do not forget your camera
visitors center. The complex is of Texas Galveston also have There is a reason we are because you will want your pic-
open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 research projects in the reef. the Sandcastle Capital of the ture with this one to share with
p.m. For more information call What has resulted is basically Universe. Where else can you visit friends and family.
956.943.2262 a net-less aquaculture driven by and see sandcastles year round?
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