South Padre Island
Almost 8 years after spending college Spring Break on South Padre Island, I returned to the Texas beach, surprised at what I found.
As I first drove across the 2-mile-long Queen Isabella Causeway, the familiar warm salt air greeted me, but it brought an immediate and welcomed calm – not the frenzied excitement of a college kid whose idea of scenery was a good tan.
Through adult eyes, the Island had matured into the perfect family getaway boasting pristine beaches, rare natural habitat and plenty of activities.
I liked it so much, in fact, that my husband and I decided to move there. For over four years we lived within the 5-mile confines of the Town of South Padre Island, and I learned secrets that every tourist must know.
Secret #1: The Island is great for families.
As I said before, families can find an abundance of activities. Playing on the beach all day is undeniably a favorite pastime, but there are other activities to try.
- Free activities: Hunt for seashells or buried treasures while exploring the 29 miles of undeveloped Island beach north of the Town; bring your volleyball and strike up a game; fly a kite; get up early and watch the sunrise over the Gulf; venture across the 1/2-mile wide Island and watch the sun set over the Laguna Madre Bay; watch the Friday night Fireworks Over the Bay show; drive to the north end of Town and visit the Whaling Wall painted by noted marine artist Wyland on the South Padre Island Convention Centre; or watch the windsurfers in the Bay just north of the Convention Centre.
- Since you’ll be endlessly sandy anyway, take a sandcastle-building lesson from the Sons of Beach Sandcastle Wizards. Believe me, these are not your average sandcastles. ($50 for your entire group, 956-761-6222)
- Go pier fishing at the Sea Ranch Fishing Pier or the Port Isabel/S.P.I. Fishing Pier.
- Take a dolphin watch or an Eco tour on one of the local charter cruises. Eco tours give up-close contact with marine life as creatures from below are pulled up into a temporary tank for kids (and adults) to marvel over. Of course, everything is released before the tour is over. There are three companies that offer cruises. Find coupons and schedules in the SPI Visitors Pack by calling 1-800-SO-PADRE. The Xcape (956-761-2212) features a double-deck catamaran that lets you get close to the water, and it features a hydraphone so you can hear the dolphins communicate.
- Take an Aqua Dog amphibious land and sea tour. (956-761-2212)
- Learn how to sail, kayak or windsurf. Families or individuals can rent equipment and take quick lessons at Windsurf the Boatyard (800-409-8396).
- Go down the water slides at Jeremiah’s River Ride, an original South Padre attraction featuring three fun routes for older kids, a toddler and baby pool with scaled-down slides, and an expansive deck area for parents to sit and relax.
- Go horseback riding in the dunes north of Town. Take a Banana boat ride. Rent jet skis, dune buggies, surreys, paddle boats or Go-Peds. If your family is adventurous, try parasailing, skydiving, bungee jumping or SCUBA diving.
Secret #2: Nature is all around you.
This may seem obvious, but many people overlook this one. While the Island’s amenities make it the quintessential resort, South Padre’s setting makes it ideal for observing wildlife in its natural habitat. The Island is teeming with endangered species and tropicals including majestic brown and white pelicans, roseate spoonbills, redhead ducks and fluorescent blue and bright yellow birds migrating from Mexico. In fact, more than 300 species of birds and waterfowl can be found on and around South Padre Island.
Located at the Convention Centre, the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, known locally as the birding boardwalk, provides access to the Laguna Madre bay for birders and outdoor enthusiasts.
Secret #3: You can have a two-nation vacation.
A trip to South Padre Island isn’t complete without a trip across the border to Matamoros, Mexico, only 25 miles from the Island.
Garcia’s Restaurant is just steps from the border, and it offers shopping, dining and parking all in one place. (Remember to tip the parking attendants!)
The Juarez Market is less Americanized and located in downtown Matamoros. The market features over 100 shops where you will find better prices and have more bargaining power. Buses run every 10 minutes from the border. A passport is not required to go to Mexico.
Secret #4: World-class golfing is now an option.
The area now offers an18-hole championship golf course located just 10 minutes away in Laguna Vista. The South Padre Island Golf Club opened for play in May 1997 and was rated one of the top 20 new golf courses in American in Golf Magazine’s December 1997 issue.
The Golf Club sits on the edge of the Laguna Madre Bay directly across from South Padre Island. Because the golf course is home to several endangered species, nearly half the land remains in its natural state as a wildlife refuge. Two holes are situated directly on the bay and offer picturesque views of the Laguna Madre and the Island. The remaining holes wander through scenic marshland and are dotted with cactus, yucca and mesquite.
Green fees at the par-72, 18-hole course range from $27 to $45, and golf packages are offered by several of the Island’s top resort hotels and condominiums. (South Padre Island Golf Club, 956-943-5678)
Secret #5: The best time to visit is after summer.
After the crowds leave, hotel rates drop, the temperatures cool down, the Gulf waters warm up and the fun really begins.
September and October are two of my favorite months on South Padre Island. Events include the annual Ruff Rider Regatta, when hundreds of colorful catamarans line the beach; the Labor Day Weekend Fireworks Over the Bay show; Sandcastle Days; and the World’s Championship Shrimp Cook-Off.
If you can schedule your trip during the off-season, you’ll enjoy the benefits. But whether you visit during October or May, don’t leave South Padre Island off your list of vacation options.
We don’t live on the Island anymore, but we visit often with our 4-year-old son … and we discover something new each time we go.
The Low Down
Location: To get to South Padre Island by car, take I-37 south from San Antonio to U.S. Highway 77 south, then go east on Texas Highway 100. If traveling by plane, fly to Harlingen’s Valley International Airport or Brownsville’s Airport. Harlingen is serviced by American Eagle, Continental, Southwest and Sun Country airlines; Brownsville is serviced by Continental and Northwest.
Fun facts: Wearing a tie is illegal on South Padre Island. By law, town officials can cut it in half! Annual average temperature is 74 degrees, and the Island is at the same latitude as Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Contact Info: Get a visitor’s packet for coupons and accommodations information before you go: 1-800-SOPADRE
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