2010 Map of South Bird Island

About this map

Padre Island divides the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico from the shallow reaches of Laguna Madre, forming a landscape of shifting sands and critical maritime navigation. This coastal environment is defined by low-relief terrain features such as Big Hill, Little Dagger Hill, and South Bird Island, which offer vital orientation points in a region of tidal flats and marshes. Human presence is sparse, marked primarily by the Dunn Ranch - A1541 Novillo Line Camp and scattered utility markers like Lobo Windmill and Novilla Windmill. The Intracoastal Waterway cuts through the western waters, supported by a series of navigational aids including Beacon Number 57 and Beacon Number 83. Recreational and access points such as Malaquite Beach and Birdisland Basin connect to the mainland via Park Road 22, showing the balance between conservation and coastal access during the early 21st century.