Location: South Padre Island
Top Things to do in South Padre Island
- 1. South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center
- 2. Port Isabel Lighthouse
- 3. Sea Turtle, Inc.
- 4. South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
- 5. Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA
- 6. Andy Bowie Park
- 7. Laguna Madre Nature Trail
- 8. Isla Blanca Park
- 9. South Padre Island Convention Centre
- 10. Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
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What to do and see in South Padre Island, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Right off the southern tip of Texas is the tropical paradise of South Padre Island. This barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico offers vacationers a sunny respite from the daily grind. Gaze at a magnificent sunset from the flats, laze on the white sandy beach or go deep sea fishing and cook your catch at Andy Bowie Park. Take a dolphin-watch tour, look for more than 300 species of birds at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center and dine on fresh Texas Gulf seafood.
Restaurants in South Padre Island
1. South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 898 reviews
This nature center is a voice for dolphins wild and free, we do not keep them in captivity. We do have DAILY BOAT tours to take you out to meet them. Our facility has touch tanks and marine exhibits to help all who visit understand how we can help save our oceans. Our boats still go to meet our dolphins when the large tours do not have enough people to go we go for just four people
Reviewed By Ottergirl0 - Ottertail, Minnesota, United States
Scarlet and George have 2 pontoons and able to each take a group if necessary. With our days short before some had to leave she worked us in on a sunny afternoon after guys were home from golf. She called George and we found her group at a location with several dolphins having a great time.
2. Port Isabel Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 211 reviews
You can see the entire South Padre Island from atop this historic lighthouse, first lit in 1853. A replica of the lighthouse keeper's cottage is on the grounds.
Reviewed By l0vet0travelalways - San Antonio, Tx
Well it’s beautiful on the outside. The thought of going in a lighthouse is very exciting.
I think there needs to be some order in the people going up and down. The stairs are very narrow and steep. Kids running up and down. While some people are trying to go up some are trying to go down. This is bad especially for the ones that need both hand rails. There’s a lady taking money but has no clue as to what’s going on around her. I saw a couple of people hit their head on the way up. Including my husband. There is a sign coming down but not going up. If there is,it is not noticeable. This is something the lady taking money could warn you about.
There were kids running around at the top and it kind of just kills the enjoyment because you’re afraid of being knocked down.
3. Sea Turtle, Inc.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Ila Loetscher, the "Turtle Lady of South Padre Island", originally formed our organization to save the Kemp's ridley sea turtle in 1977. Now we are a sea turtle hospital with a mission to rehabilitate and release any injured sea turtles, increase awareness concerning their safety and habitat, and assist with conservation efforts for all sea turtle species. We are funded by donations, grants and gift shop proceeds-- For rehabilitated sea turtle and hatchling release text message notifications, please see our website membership page. See you at Sea Turtle, Inc.!
Reviewed By Spary09 - San Antonio, Texas
This is a must stop to learn about sea turtles and the people who rehabilitate, care for, protect and love these animals. The facility is sparse and not what I expected but what I loved most about it. The tanks have all types of injured turtles who cannot be released into the wild due to catastrophic injuries. It also has seminars and discussions on various aspects of sea turtle life and protecting them. Fascinating. If you get lucky and read the calendar and plan your vacay then you can watch a release of young into the wild. Super cool. Please donate if you visit. They don't charge for the visit and information so leave what you can - well worth the trip. Loved the ramps and different walks taking you to the different tank and turtle areas. Doesn't take long to visit but you make it what is right for your family. Wealth of fun here!! These volunteers rock.
4. South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Also on Facebook- South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center
Reviewed By davegrab - Perrysburg, Ohio
Just the place to spend the morning before heading back to the beach for the afternoon. We took the guided tour which was very informative from one of the Center's nature guides. He was quite informative and we learned so much more than just looking at the wildlife. He identified the various types of birds and gave us information about them. The center features a boardwalk that takes you through the area. Mostly easy walking. Make sure you take your camera or binoculars.
As a bonus...go in the early evening to catch the sunset...really cool over the water and marsh areas!
5. Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 187 reviews
***STOP PRESS - March 2018 -We are finished rebuilding the largest, free standing, outdoor Sandcastle in the USA on South Padre Island, Texas. - Originally built in Oct 2013, it remains the oldest outdoor sandcastle in the USA and has been featured on just about every show and publication there is. You are free to contact the local artist that created it (Andy Hancock) anytime, although there is extensive information available at the site. It was completed on March 4th 2018 by a team of artists led by Andy Hancock. It is the start of the Island wide trail of sand sculptures which you can get a map for at the visitors center. Check out our facebook page too! Thanks to the city of South Padre Island for embracing, funding and maintaining our unique art form - We are the sandcastle capital of the World.
Reviewed By Donna R - Warsaw, Missouri
There are sandcastles all over the island so be on the hunt! We had heard you could get a map at the visitor center but never got there to get one. We had more fun walking around and finding as many as we could. They were building a new one at the visitor center!!
6. Andy Bowie Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 280 reviews
Hikers and bird watchers will love the park's Laguna Madre Nature Trail, while windsurfers head for the bay side. The park also has playgrounds and picnic pavilions.
Reviewed By I35Gringo
The website states that the park is open til 8pm on Sunday's. I watched as the older couple cleaning the restrooms ran people out. Literally! The old guy yelled at a lady and said " lady, you need to get out so we can clean! " it should say somewhere on a sign that the restrooms will close at 5pm. So many people were run off in such a rude fashion..
7. Laguna Madre Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
This 1,500-foot boardwalk crosses four acres of marshland, where bird watchers can spot many coastal and migratory birds and numerous others tempted by the berries on the fiddlewood bushes along the trail
Reviewed By Robbie M - Plano, Texas, United States
Park at the convention center and check it out too!! It's all free and within a stone's lob of the birding center. All the same animals and wildlife. Soo many birds, fish, crabs, insects, and we even saw baby AND adult alligators!
We went in the morning and even watched a sunset from their pier. The animal activity was different each time and the sunset was peaceful and breathtaking.
Just do it.
8. Isla Blanca Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 308 reviews
Reviewed By Marie T
We stayed here for 10 days. We enjoyed having good spaces between the RVs. Problems we're site was uneven, no patio, and sand burs. Couldn't sit outside because the mosquitoes were large and horrible. We didn't spend a lot of time in the RV because we were out exploring. So for what we wanted it was adequate. We booked in November so paid $35 a night. We decided to stay a few more days and price increased to $50. No pool. No laundromat. No store. Overall we did enjoy not sitting in top of another RV and enjoyed the island
9. South Padre Island Convention Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
The South Padre Island Convention Centre's 45,000 square feet of meeting space can be utilized in a variety of configurations. Primary facilities include 22,500 square feet of exhibit hall space with a clear ceiling height of 36 feet for concerts, large meetings and sporting events; a 2,633 sq. ft. modern, media-oriented conference auditorium for 250; and 9,000 square feet of meeting rooms in various sizes. A large central lobby will also house exhibits and functions. A large terrace adjoins the lobby and a formal entry court provides covered arrival and waiting areas for people parking in the paved areas for 500 cars.
Reviewed By WYbirdwatcher - Cheyenne, Wyoming
For great birding, especially during Spring or Fall migrations, head to the south and west sides of the building. The vegetation there (shrubs and trees) shelters all kinds of migrants, and the water feature draws many of them out into the open for easy photography. On the west side, also, there is a great view of the beaches at low tide, and the gulls, terns, skimmers and other sea birds that frequent the area. There is a boardwalk that extends out to the south from the property that is good for marsh birds and alligators. The Convention Center has public access to rest rooms on the south side, rest rooms that are often open when the main building is closed.
10. Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
Overall Ratings
4 based on 604 reviews
Surf manmade waves, move from ride to ride without ever leaving the water, blast uphill and down on thrilling water coasters or float peacefully on passive rides at this tropical water park along the beaches of South Padre Island. Over two dozens attractions for all ages, park has both outdoor and indoor attractions. Indoor attractions are open year-round in an heated, covered environment. Waterpark also has a beachfront resort hotel, multiple restaurants, 100' tall zipline ride and underwater Sea Trek attraction (open seasonally). Outside food and beverages are allowed (no glass or alcohol), free parking, free use of inner tubes and free use of life vests. Private cabanas with table side wait staff are also available for rental.
Reviewed By mannydelarosa - Houston, Texas
I enjoy going to Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark. The location near the South Padre Island Beach makes it an ideal place. You do not have to worry about the dangers of the ocean and can enjoy your time here. There are lifeguards. The rides are safe and not too dangerous. Teens says these are kid slides but it's enough to get you cool. The food and atmosphere is nice. The addition of the hotel adjacent to the water park is great. You can nearly walk across from the hotel to the water park. Nice getaway for the family.
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