Bird Island Basin - Padre Island
In the Corpus Christi area there is no flatter water than Bird Island Basin. If you are a kiteboarder that is comfortable staying upwind, then the smooth water right off the beach will help you improve your edge control & jumps exponentially. The spring trade winds blow very offshore and there is a shallow (6" to 12") area off the beach for 100 yards. Be careful as a fall in the shallow water can feel more like a fall on land than water.
The wind is gusty right off the shore - as it comes off the sand dunes. The farther offshore you ride the more consistent the breeze becomes. Because of the gusty conditions this launch is not nearly as friendly to ram-air kiters. The beach is sandy for about a mile. The best feature of this site is that even 3/4 mile out you can still stand up and walk in if you have equipment failure.
The windsurfers pioneered this spot way back and still venture here for flatwater sessions. There is tons of room on the water, so stay clear of the windsurfers and kite with respect and kiteboarders will be able to enjoy this launch for years to come. Primitive camping at the beach at Bird Island Basin is free with Bird Island Park fee. Note: they are trying to open a kiteboarding school at this beach sometime within the next year. Check with Worldwinds Windsurfing (800.793.7471) for more information.
Directions: Take 358 E over the JFK Causeway to Padre Island. 358 changes to Park Rd 22 South on the island. Keep going straight on this road for 12 miles. After passing the Park entrance station, take your first right towards Bird Island Basin (look for the windsurfing logo). The beach is at the end of that road - you can't miss it. Entry fees for the Park, per car: $10/wk, $20/yr. + Bird Island fee of $5/day, $10/yr. Entry fees pay for park facilities including showers and RV dump station.