South Padre Island Favorites

Favorite thing: South Padre Island is in the extrem south east of Texas right on the Mexican border. It is joined to the mainland by an impressive suspension bridge. It's a popular retreat fro Texans, although it's a little pricey.

Favorite thing: You probably won't find a better-quality beach with the number of amenities here anywhere else in Texas. Sometimes there is seaweed washed up on the shore; they do a good job of cleaning it up as quickly as possible with tractors. This means that if you want to find shells, you must go very early in the morning! It's easy to spend a whole day just walking the beach, seeing the hotels as you go by them, observing the mix of people who gather here.

Favorite thing: South Padre Island offers so many opportunities that our week long vacation was not nearly enough time to do them all. Some of the things we have saved for our next visit are:
Play minature golf
Race the go-carts
Go deep sea fishing
Ride a waverunner
Do Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
Go parasailing
Ride horses on the beach
Go snorkeling
Go windsurfing
And a whole lot more....

Many of the things we enjoyed most on our visit to the area were actually just over the causeway on the mainland. See our Port Isabel, Texas, pages to learn of the fascinating opportunites you will find there.

Favorite thing: A great first stop for those coming to South Padre Island, especially for the first time, is the South Padre Island Visitor's Center. Here you will find free brochures, magazines, and a friendly staff who will inform you of all the many things to see and do on the island. Our one week here was not nearly enough time to see and do it all.
Turn left immediately after crossing the Queen Isabella Causeway from the mainland. Then turn right at the first traffic light and you will see the Visitor's Center on your right.

Favorite thing: This is the beach from south end, as you see, Tropical storm Erika was very close (300 km) to strike Isla del Padre past august 15th, you can enjoy all facilities to stay here and to hace a nice stay. Do you hate sand in your body, go to the hotel pool and sleep early, drink some beers and walk or go shopping.

Favorite thing: There are like 7 different compaines that have Dolphin watches. We went it cost about 10$ a person and you get on a boat and they take you out in the ocean and you can see lots of dolphins up close, swimming around and jumping. It was pretty cool, its about a 2 hr boat ride.

Favorite thing: Bungee jumping and other activities involving heights are available on the island. One is located right across from Louie's Backyard. It opens at 7pm. Or if you are into watching you can just go to Louie's and watch from the deck while your sippin on a beverage of choice.

Favorite thing: During Spring Break it's balls to the wall nuts, and all other times it's pretty fun as well. Be careful when you decide to cross the bridge to the island though. There are times when it's packed and you'll be stuck on it for hours (at least you have a pretty view).

Fondest memory: They say South Padre is like the 60's...if you remember it, you weren't there. Where to begin?? Beer bongs, keg stands, dance contests, partying on the beach, going to Mexico (30 minutes from SPI), dancing all night, leaving Mexico at 5AM, not being able to find our room, passing out in the elevator and riding it for about 2 hours whilst asleep (hey---it happens!), meeting people from all over the world, the mechanical bull, the barber chair and of course, getting to take a week off school and spend the time w/ my friends at the beach!!!