Family Things to do on South Padre Island
South Padre Island is most often associated with spring break when thousands of college students descend on the beach and then cross into Mexico to party all night long. Avoid South Padre in March, however, and you have those same glorious Gulf Coast beaches without the rowdy crowds.
Apart from baking in the sand on our fine sandy beaches or dozing in a hammock in the shade, South Padre Island provides excellent opportunities for discovery and adventure, whether through swimming, snorkeling, diving, deep-sea fishing, or simply touring by boat. South Padre Island has a year-round climate that is ideal for all of your outdoor activities. South Padre Island offers a variety of complimentary fun activities all year long.
5 Must-See Attractions in South Padre Island
South Padre Island in Texas is a popular destination for college co-eds on spring break. It’s also a great destination for families, with outdoor, eco-friendly adventures galore. Consider a visit to the island for a chance to experience these unique attractions with your kids.
Sea Turtle Inc.
Sea Turtle Inc. is a special rehabilitation center for turtles who have been hurt in the wild. Families have a chance to see the turtles and learn about each one’s back story via non-guided tours. Presentations are often hosted, as well. There’s no cost for families to visit Sea Turtle, Inc., which is currently undergoing a major expansion, though donations are recommended and very much appreciated.
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
Who doesn’t love a water park? Schlitterbahn’s location in South Padre Island features both outdoor and indoor elements, with waterslides, lazy rivers, spraygrounds, and even man-made beaches… not to mention it’s just steps from the actual beach! It’s connected to Schlitterbahn Beach Resort, so you can combine your water park visit with an overnight stay.
Sandcastle Days
Hosted in October, Sandcastle Days is one of the most (if not the most) impressive displays of sand art in the country. Artisans from all over the world present magnificent displays on the sand, where families may visit, take pictures and even meet the artists — free of charge. The event takes place at Clayton’s Beach Bar (the biggest beach bar in Texas).
Dolphin Watch – Osprey Cruises
Oftentimes, boat tours advertise that you’ll see dolphins, but you don’t actually do. That’s not the case in South Padre Island, and a cruise via Osprey Cruises almost guarantees you’ll see dolphins — lots of them! The cruise lasts about two hours and includes beverages. Bring your camera!
Point Isabel Lighthouse
The Point Isabel Lighthouse was authorized by the U.S. Congress, first lit in 1853, and is open to the public. On the same grounds is the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage which houses the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce and a display of lighthouse-related historical items.
Dining at South Padre Island
The culinary journey is one of the most important aspects of any trip. Prepare to enjoy a variety of distinctive cuisines offered in a variety of restaurants and lounges on South Padre Island, ranging from local “plate lunches” to gourmet cuisine at ocean-view restaurants, where the sound of the surf and the light of the moon enhance the culinary experience…
Stop by here to find great deals at some of South Padre Island’s hottest restaurants!
Nightlife at South Padre Island
Whether you prefer dancing, live Las Vegas or Latin style entertainment, bar-hopping, hitting the clubs, the thrill of the casinos, or a quiet cocktail lounge or cigar bar, Spring Break on South Padre Island has it all! No other resort destination offers South Padre Island’s unique combination of breathtaking scenery, nearly limitless outdoor recreation, and 24-hour nightlife.
Discover why Spring Break on South Padre Island is the hottest vacation around – its tranquil beauty, its luxurious resorts, its exciting nightlife, and a myriad of activities to enjoy.
South Padre Island Hotels
With beautiful seashores, a warm beach ocean, pets, endless opportunities for fishing, enjoying water sports, shopping, and a variety of other year-round activities, the Southern region of Padre Isle is one of the leading beach hotel destinations in the United States. It is a year-round location with resorts for everyone from families to newlyweds on their honeymoon.
South Padre Island resorts give visitors magnificent beach resorts and convenient access to shops, restaurants, and clubs. South Padre Island has a variety of resort options including apartments, resorts, and rental houses available to suit every budget and taste.
Most South Padre Island resorts offer clean, comfortable resorts, guaranteeing customer support. Accommodations generally feature wonderful dishes, luxury housing, and an exciting ambiance. There are many resorts with private balconies looking over exotic seashores. A number of discount resorts are also available.
Many SPI resorts offer all the services of home plus all the wonderful luxuries of an excellent resort organization. In addition, they offer a variety of outdoor activities such as playing golf, fowl and butterfly viewing, swimming, and touring. Sheraton Resort Hotel, Vacation Inn Show and Packages, La Copa Inn Resort, Howard Jackson Show Inn, Bahia Mar Resort and Conference Center, Best Western Bamboula Islands, and Vacation Inn SunSpree Resort are among the more elegant resorts.
Families will love:
- The Gulf and Laguna Madre Bay
- Shallow, gently sloping beach
- A chance to see turtles and dolphins
South Padre Island, Texas is considered one of the hottest spots in America for Spring Break excitement. Coca-Cola Jam Fest, MTV, and other well-known companies regularly throw extravagant parties for over 100,000 students at a time. Over the past ten years, South Padre Island has become the premier U.S. spring break destination. Hundreds of thousands of students migrate south to this island in the Gulf of Mexico. South Padre Island is located two miles off the southernmost coast of Texas and is only 25 miles from Matamoros, Mexico.
Matamoros, which is known for its clubs (drinking age is 18) and excellent shopping, is a mecca for students because of its easy accessibility by bus or taxi. The warm tropical breezes make the palm trees fan and cool down the days making the sleepy, compact island of South Padre come alive with Spring Breakers in search of sand, sun, and fun. South Padre Island is where you go if you want to be with 200,000 Spring Breakers partying on 34 miles of uninterrupted American beach. It is where you would go if you want to be able to party in Mexico one night and in Southern Texas the next.
