NickM

Hi. My wife Phoebe and I are wanting to head down to the gulf coast. Can anyone suggest a good place for seashore creatures?

We're studying invertebrate zoology together and are hoping to see what Texas has on its sandy shores. Crabs, bivalves, chitons, jellies, sponges?

Neither of us scuba and are hoping to just explore some good shoreline. Don't know if there is any snorkleing in TX.

We'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

happybooker1

I don't much like ANY of the Texas seashore. However, the further you go down south the (marginally) better the water gets. Go as far as lower S. Padre or Brownsville and you might be able to have a productive trip.

NickM

Thanks. Our expectations aren't that high. Problem with S. Padre is that we live in Dallas and SW Airlines takes 2 1/2 hrs. (always stopping enroute). In that time, we could really fly to many better places.

Corpus is available by single hop. Matagorda Island park looks to be an hour drive and a boat ride? The state parks and wildlife site is pretty unclear about how to get there.

Has anyone been there for other than birdwatching and hunting? Is there much to see? Can you wade in the shallows and find horseshoe crabs?

MissionCamper

You'll find sand dollars, jellyfish, ghost crabs, and sea turtles at Padre Island National Seashore. This is your best choice, especially near Corpus.

NickM

Thanks. That sounds perfect. Can I ask what other marine life we might see?

Troop198

Its not exactly what you want but peruse these maybe under the theory the birds eat something (right)

Coastal Birding Trail | Great Texas Wildlife Trails

kidsluvscience

Here's an idea: in Rockport, there is an aquarium next to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department office. This is right on Aransas Bay. The aquarium is only open Thursday through Monday, in the afternoon, but it is cool. Now the parking lot of the aquarium is built on a concrete bulkhead. If you walk to the edge and look over into the water, you can see a lot of barnacles and variety of small marine invertebrates. Also, while you are there you can talk to the aquarium folks to get more tips about specific places to go.