Nude sunbathing is not officially allowed on South Padre Island. But about 10 miles north up the beach from beach access 6 lies the county line between Cameron and Willacy county. Once you cross it, you are out of the jurisdiction of any law enforcement that patrols the beach. After you cross the line, some people do take their clothes off. You will know when you’ve reached the crossover point because it’s marked by some kind of homemade sign. It used to be a log with nude beach painted on it, but it’s currently an old lifeboat that’s been meticulously decorated with beach trash.

This old lifeboat is one of the hidden gems of South Padre Island. It’s an artistic endeavor that must have taken days to complete. Well worth the trip up the beach to stop and view it up close. Take your clothes off and dance naked around it.

Here’s what the inside looks like.

A very long way north up the beach (almost to the channel), a non-native species of tree can be found on South Padre Island. It’s called the hardhat tree. It’s amazing that people have the time and inclination to beach comb all these “washed up on the shore” hard hats and collect them all here.
🙂 They definitely earn SPI Cool Points!