Red tide update
Red tide occurs most often in fall and early winter on the beaches of Padre and Mustang islands though it can be present at other times of the year. The link below will feature the latest reports of any outbreaks if there happen to be any
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
Sea creature IDs
This is a great site to identify creatures you will often encounter in the surf and adjacent bay waters.
http://txmarspecies.tamug.edu/
Tides
http://lighthouse.tamucc.edu/
NOAA site for marine weather
http://forecast.weather.gov/
UTMSI Tides from Tony Amos
Padre Island National Seashore tides around the 30 mile mark are about 45 minutes later than the ones listed for Port Aransas and later as you head south.
http://nearshore.utmsi.utexas.