Padre Island National Seashore is the wild end of a Corpus Christi beach trip. South of the city, the road reaches long undeveloped Gulf shoreline, dunes, tidal flats, and the Laguna Madre, with far fewer buildings than you find closer to town.
It is best for travelers who want space, birding, beach driving, or a rawer version of the Texas coast. Conditions change quickly, and soft sand can trap vehicles; check park advice before heading far down-island.