Our Gulf Coast adventure took us to Padre Island then back to the mainland via ferry. We could see dolphins in the waters but the camera didn't catch any. I was amazed at the undertow in the gulf and the claylike "sand." The ground leading to the water is more like clay and as I walked I left footprints on top. Not at all sandy like Ca or even Lake Michigan beaches.. Wading out was fun but I got wetter than I planned due to the cresting waves. Getting back to shore took a bit of an effort. There is definitely a strong undertow trying to pull you out into the ocean.