IMG_20170604_173439 Dunes encroach on the road in South Padre Island

If you keep driving North on the South Padre Island main road, you will pass the developed areas and reach the part where there are only sand dunes on both sides. In many places they encroach on the road, narrowing it to less than 2 lanes.

IMG_20170604_192413 South Padre Island road ends

"Road Ends" sign in South Padre Island, where the road that goes along the whole island ends at its northern tip. Long before that, the road is half-buried in sand dunes, making it difficult to pass the cars in the opposite direction.

IMG_20170604_182617 R on the beach where the road ends

R on the beach in a remote part of South Padre Island -- near the northern tip, where the beach becomes wild and sparsely populated.

IMG_20170606_110141 Waiting for the dolphin watch boat

R, Ray, and E waiting on a dock for the dolphin watch boat to arrive and take us on a cruise. The dolphin watch cruise left from Port Isabel, TX, and took us to Laguna Madre, a lagoon that separates the "continental" Texas from South Padre Islan

IMG_20170606_110455 On dolphin watch boat

R and E on a dolphin watch boat. The dolphin watch cruise left from Port Isabel, TX, and took us to Laguna Madre, a lagoon that separates the "continental" Texas from South Padre Island.

IMG_20170606_113324 Dolphins and pelicans

Dolphins emerge from the water along the coast lined with pelicans. According to our captain / tour guide, dolphins and pelicans have a symbiotic relationship. Click the image to read more about it.

IMG_20170606_113958 Dolphin fins in Laguna Madre

Dolphins play in the waters of Laguna Madre off of Texas coast.

IMG_20170606_114203 A dolphin smacks the water with its tail

We took a dolphin watch cruise on a small boat with a knowledgeable Captain George who, along with his wife Captain Scarlett, run dolphin watch cruises. At one point one of the dolphins smacked the water with its tail a few times -- "showing off

IMG_20170606_111922 Birds follow a fishing boat

Birds (pelicans, probably) follow a fishing boat in Laguna Madre off of Texas coast.

IMG_20170606_120542 A fishing boat lowers the nets

A fishing boat in Laguna Madre lowers the nets that are attached to those tall poles. The poles can be lowered almost horizontally.

IMG_20170606_125302 E and R at the marine wildlife center

Captain George and Captain Scarlet that run the dolphin watch cruises also have a sea wildlife center / museum in Port Isabel, with a variety of sea creatures, and a photobooth where you can pose in a mermaid tail, if you wish.

IMG_20170606_125519 R and a giant turtle

R is about to pet Domino, a spurred tortoise from South Africa, who was roaming the floor of the sea wildlife center / museum.

IMG_20170606_180519 Sand castle lessons

On these barrels on South Padre Island beach (what their function is, I don't know) there is an ad for sand castle lessons. Yes, apparently if you are a vacationer wanting to up your sand castle game, you can take lessons in building sand castles!

IMG_20170607_140247 R at a turtle tank

R at a turtle tank in the Sea Turtle Inc center in South Padre Island. Wounded and ill turtles found on beaches are rehabilitated there, and released back into the sea, or live here permanently if they are too sick/deformed for the wilderness.

IMG_20170603_200757 E and R on catamaran's deck

Going on a sunset cruise on a catamaran along the Laguna side of South Padre Island. R and E are sitting on the mesh on catamaran's deck, which, I was assured, is perfectly safe -- it only looks scary at first.

IMG_20170603_211305 Under the masts of the catamaran

E and R under the masts of the catamaran Southern Wave that took us on a sunset cruise along the coast of South Padre Island (the Laguna Madre side). Some of the masts are lit. The sails were not used during the cruise, as this boat also has an engine.

IMG_20170603_155504 Queen Isabella's causeway

Queen Isabella's causeway is a long bridge that goes over Laguna Madre and connects the Port Isabel town on the continental side to the South Padre Island (barely visible in the distance).

IMG_20170604_102115 Building mud castles on South Padre beach

R and E building mud castles on South Padre Island beach. The entirety of the beach is lined with hotels, which detracts from the view.