Bird Island Basin Day-use Area

Windsurfing is a popular activity at Bird Island Basin.

NPS Photo/ Mimi Gorman

Quick Facts

Location:

Decimal Degrees: 27.46644, -97.31350

Designation:

National Seashore

Amenities

12 listed

Accessible Rooms, Beach/Water Access, Benches/Seating, Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Parking - Auto, Pets Allowed, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Picnic Table, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trash Dumpster

The Bird Island Basin Day-use Area serves as a central hub for activities along the Laguna Madre. The area is popular with birdwatchers, anglers, campers, and windsurfers alike.  

The day-use area has a small picnic area with several picnic tables and shade structures. Adjacent to the picnic area are trash dumpsters and vault toilets. Parking is available in a gravel parking lot.  

The tidal mudflats near the day-use area are a favorite location of shorebirds. Birdwatchers will find a variety of bird species using the area as a wintering ground or as a resting point on their migrations further south.  

Boating 

Boaters using paddle craft may launch from the shoreline in the day-use area while those with motorboats need to use the Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp located a 5-minute drive away.  

Concessionaire Operations 

Located in the day-use area is Worldwinds Windsurfing. 

Worldwinds Windsurfing is the in-park concessioner who provides commercial visitor services such as windsurfing, kayak, and standup paddle board gear rentals, as well as windsurfing lessons. The concessioner operates under an official concessions contract with the National Park Service. 

Camping 

Next to the day-use area is the Bird Island Basin Campground. The small primitive campground has no electric or water hookups.