At 34-miles long and just a few blocks wide, South Padre Island, Texas is a small active vacation destination. The island is a summer retreat for inland Texans looking to hit the beach. The resident population includes folks from the north who come to South Padre for a mild winter on the beach. The wealth of outdoor activities and active nightlife keep visitors of all ages entertained all season long.
Eco-Tourism/Wildlife
Dolphin watching trips and marine ecology tours are a great way for ocean enthusiasts of any age to get out to sea in South Padre. Tour guides try to provide ample photo opportunities and close encounters with the variety of animals that populate the Texas Gulf Coast.
South Padre is also a popular birding destination, with hundreds of species migrating to the area every year. Visitors can go on organized van trips to view birds, or visit local parks and nature preserves with binoculars in hand.
Ocean Sports
If you long to play on the coast or hit the waves, South Padre's beaches play host to a variety of common and unique water sports. With its warm water and winds averaging 18 mph, the island coast is ripe for year-round windsurfing and kite boarding.
If you prefer to be powered by the ocean rather than the wind, the shore break at Blanca Park is ideal for the beginner or seasoned surfer. Also popular on South Padre Island is skimboarding, where a rider skims the surface of the water on a thin board.
Fun for Kids
For little ones and older kids, the South Padre scene provides plenty of opportunities for parents to get a break, and kids to get out and experience the island.
Horseback riding tours on the beach, and master sandcastle building outings are offered for all ages.
Local favorites, including Three Flags Over Padre Amusement Park, Gravity Adventure Park and Jeremiah's Water Slide Park are other great ways to spend the day with dare-devil kids.
Nightlife
Whether you want to lounge on the beach with a cocktail or take in a concert at an outdoor venue, South Padre has a watering hole to suit your taste. As a major spring break destination, bars and clubs for the college set abound on the island, along with annual parties and events.
Special Events
Every Friday night all summer long, a blazing fireworks show lights up the sky over South Padre. Set off from a barge in the Bay, the show begins at 9:15. Throughout the year, there are other fireworks shows to watch from a blanket, or the deck.
Every August the annual Lady Kingfish Tournament takes place in South Padre. Female anglers of all ages take part in this competition; several divisions and awards draw a large competitor pool and a crowd every year.
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