On the Southeastern edge of the Texas coastline you will find South Padre Island. This lively vacation spot offers many entertaining activities such as swimming, fishing, tennis, golf, dolphin watching and sunbathing at the pool or at the beach. And for you adventure seekers, South Padre offers exciting activities such as parasailing, jet skiing, horseback riding on the beach, windsurfing, and kite boarding. When the sun retreats under the horizon it doesn’t mean the fun ends however. South Padre nightlife offers a broad range of active and trendy night clubs and restaurants that spice the mood up with music and dancing. You will find that restaurants and nightclubs here create a very friendly atmosphere. One popular aspect of many South Padre restaurants is the fish fry. Bring in your catch and many restaurants will fry it up for you. Whether you are seeking a relaxing time to soak up sun at the beach or seeking adventure and thrills on the ocean, then South Padre Island is the vacation spot for you.
Schliterbahn Water Park If you’re planning a getaway to the coast then you might want to treat yourself and your family to a stop at South Padre Island’s Schitterbahn Beach Waterpark. With direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, this waterpark offers many interconnecting water rides and slides that include uphill water coasters and man-made surfing waves. And for the kids, let them enjoy a venture into the waterpark’s 5-story tall sandcastle. Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark is the perfect vacation destination for the whole family.
South Padre Nightlife When the sun sets on South Padre Island the fun is far from over. Summer nights are in full swing on the Island. On Fridays you can enjoy a beautiful fireworks display over the bay from Louie’s Backyard. This popular establishment serves American food and operates a full bar while offering live music nightly during high season and offers a beautiful view of the bay, or if you’re in the mood for something simpler, head to the ocean side of the island over to the Wanna-Wanna beach bar and sink your toes into the sand while you enjoy a cold beer.
Laguna Madre Nature Trail While visiting the beaches and soaking up some sun in South Padre Island, the Laguna Madre Nature Trail will offer you a break from the excitement and allow you relax and enjoy and vast array of flora and fauna that the gulf marshlands have to offer. By donating $5 you are given access to the nature center which offers nature exhibits, a 5th floor observatory and access to boardwalks all over the marshes. The boardwalks allow you to view a considerable amount of wildlife that includes a large range of birds, turtles, crabs, alligators and fish. Each boardwalk even includes sign boards and bird dictionaries to help you identify the plants and wildlife that you may encounter. If you are an avid nature observer or just wish to enjoy the local wildlife, then consider a walk down the Laguna Madre Nature Trail.
Isla Blanca Park On the southernmost tip of South Padre Island you will find Isla Blanca Park. If you’re looking for the whitest beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, then this is the vacation spot for you. With more than a mile of clean, white beaches, this park also boasts two beachfront pavilions, a full-service marina, fishing jetty, waterpark and a 1000-foot sea walk. The park is open from 6:30 AM-11:00 PM and offers camping facilities and RV sites.
Sea Turtle Rescue If you’re looking for a short stop and want to see humanitarian work at its best, then take a pit stop at the Sea Turtle Rescue at South Padre Island. For a $3-a-head donation you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the history of sea turtle rescue and the work done to rehabilitate them. There are always a handful of large sea turtles swimming in tanks and on occasion a small kiddie pool filled with hatchlings waiting to be released into the sea. And of course, make sure you stick around for feeding time. If you need to take a break from the heat, then consider a quick stop at Sea Turtle Rescue.
South Padre Spring Break When it come to the ultimate Spring Break getaway, the party begins in South Padre Island. With over 100,000 students coming to party on the 5-mile strip off the Gulf of Mexico, nothing tops South Padre as the number one vacation spot for Spring Break. On Coca-Cola beach you usually find some of the best free live music acts in the morning and early afternoon and when the sun sets the party continues with the many clubs and bars that can be found throughout the island.
Port Isabel Lighthouse Once the party has ended, perhaps you’d like to take a view of South Padre Island from above. Port Isabel Lighthouse offers an expansive view of the coastline around South Padre Island. This lighthouse is the only one in Texas that has been open to the public. The perch sits 50 ft above the ground and is popular with photographer since it offers great views of South Padre Island and its beaches. Consider a visit to this historic site for a relaxing view and a taste of Texas history.
South Padre Island Beaches Coca-Cola beach, known as “the largest beach party on the planet” is a non-stop action and music fest for Spring Breakers from across the U.S. The party on the South Beach begins in early march and lasts for 16 days. With free entertainment and the chance to win hundreds of prizes from different contests and giveaways, Coca-Cola beach is the ultimate beach vacation for Spring Break.
