The Laguna Madre side
West of the island is the Laguna Madre, the bay-side view you will see in many restaurant and rental photographs. This is a different outing from the Gulf beach. Think about a particular boardwalk, restaurant, marina or boat trip rather than assuming the shoreline is one continuous public walking route.
For a place to watch birds from land, compare the Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary with the Laguna Madre Nature Trail. They are separate destinations: choosing the trail does not buy admission to the center, and the center's address is not a generic entrance to every nearby boardwalk.
The Birding Center describes bay-front boardwalks, bird blinds and guided birding visits. Its own admissions and tour pages are the place to confirm what is available for your date. Bring binoculars if you have them and leave time to stop and look; a fast walk between appointments is a very different visit from an hour spent watching one stretch of water.
Dinner with a bay view
Use the waterfront restaurant guide to choose a venue, then look at where you will actually sit. “Waterfront” can describe the property while a particular table is indoors, behind another dining area or out of the view you pictured.
If music is part of the evening, open the entertainment district guide and live music venues. Confirm the performer, date and seating with the venue. For a sunset meal, book around the daylight time for your trip rather than using last month's photograph as a timetable.
Getting onto the water
A dolphin tour or guided fishing trip needs an exact departure point. Save the dock or check-in instructions supplied by your operator; its office address may not be where passengers board. Ask about boarding steps, shade, restrooms and the trip length if those details matter to your group.
For your own fishing plans, read the Lower Laguna Madre fishing guide. Do not use a calm-looking patch beside shore as a forecast for the whole trip. The NWS marine forecast and your operator's decision are more relevant than a general description of the bay.
Staying on this side
A bayside rental can suit a trip centered on the view or nearby departures, but it does not establish swimming access, dock use or permission to launch a boat. Get those details from the property in writing. The bayfront lodging guide covers what to ask; the Gulf-side guide helps you plan a separate beach visit.