Bird Island Basin – Padre Island
Corpus Christi, Texas (Corpus Christi), United States
Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Windsurfing, Parawing, SUP
Best time to go: March–September
Bird Island Basin is on the Laguna Madre side of Padre Island National Seashore, south of Corpus Christi, Texas. The lagoon is shallow for a long way out, with mostly standing-depth water over sand and seagrass, and the prevailing south-easterly winds from spring to late summer are strong and steady. It is one of the best-known flat-water windsurfing spots in the US, and is also used for kitesurfing and winging.
The national seashore charges an entrance fee, and there is a campground and a seasonal rental concession. Kitesurfing is restricted to marked zones away from the windsurf launch, so check the current park rules. The area is exposed, with little shade, and the water is warm for most of the season. Watch for stingrays in the shallows and shuffle your feet when walking.
Month by month at Bird Island Basin – Padre Island
- January: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 17°C, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 21 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- February: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 17°C, air 20°C (nights 13°C), 23 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- March: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 20°C, air 24°C (nights 18°C), 27 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- April: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 23°C, air 26°C (nights 21°C), 27 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- May: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 27°C, air 29°C (nights 24°C), 30 sunny days, 12 rainy days
- June: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 29°C, air 31°C (nights 27°C), 29 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- July: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1 m, water 29°C, air 31°C (nights 27°C), 30 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- August: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 30°C, air 32°C (nights 27°C), 30 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- September: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 30°C, air 31°C (nights 26°C), 29 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- October: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 28°C, air 28°C (nights 22°C), 29 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- November: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 24°C, air 24°C (nights 18°C), 23 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- December: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 20°C, air 21°C (nights 15°C), 24 sunny days, 7 rainy days
When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing & parawing at Bird Island Basin – Padre Island?
March–September, when it is windy most often.
How warm is the water at Bird Island Basin – Padre Island?
17°C to 30°C over the year: boardshorts, no wetsuit needed in the warmest month, a 4/3 full suit in the coolest.
How windy is Bird Island Basin – Padre Island?
About 104 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in March.
Figures from 4 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Bird Island Basin – Padre Island
- South Padre Island – Laguna Madre (150 km)
More: All spots in United States · Kitesurfing in United States · Wingfoiling in United States · Windsurfing in United States · Parawing in United States · SUP in United States
Compare with: Bird Island Basin – Padre Island vs South Padre Island – Laguna Madre