Our second day on South Padre Island was packed with wildlife, sunshine, and a bit of sandy artistry.

We kicked off the morning at Sea Turtle Inc., where we met some of the island’s most beloved residents. From temporary rescuees to permanent resident sea turtles, the center offered a fascinating look at conservation in action. It was inspiring to see how much care goes into protecting these creatures of the sea — and the educational exhibits made it easy to appreciate the challenges they face.

Lunch was a breezy affair at Tequila Sunset, where we grabbed a table on the deck overlooking the water. It’s hard to beat good food with a view like that.

In the early afternoon, we wandered through the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. The boardwalks took us through marshes and mangroves teeming with life — herons, coots, and even a Roseate Spoonbill. The center also host some resident alligators that became to habituated to human areas on the island.

Then came one of the day’s highlights: sandcastle lessons with Anubis Morrison at Sandy Feet Sandcastles. With expert guidance, we learned the secrets of stacking, carving, and detailing — and by the end, we had a good idea of how to create our own sand “art”. It’s amazing how a pile of sand can become something magical with the right tools and a little know-how.

To wrap up the day, we visited the South Padre Island Sand Castle Village, where Anubis’ own masterpiece stood among a collection of stunning sculptures. Each castle was a work of art, full of whimsy and intricate detail. It was the perfect way to end a day that celebrated creativity and nature in equal measure.