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Trip Planner :  USA  /  Texas  /  Texas Gulf Coast  /  South Padre Island

South Padre Island

4.1
Wildlife Areas · Dolphin & Whale Watching · Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
A vibrant resort town, South Padre Island sits on a barrier island of the same name, located just off the Texas Gulf Coast. Long a favored spring break destination for college students, this sunny holiday getaway offers year-round mild weather, clean beaches, and a laid-back island lifestyle just 3 km (2 mi) from the mainland. Every water lover's dream come true, the popular "SPI" features 54.7 km (34 mi) of uninterrupted beach, quaint cottages, and luxurious beachfront resorts. Although most visitors arrive over a short causeway from Port Isabel, you can also reach the town of about 3,000 by air from either Dallas or Houston. The town's public bus line provides free rides all over the island once you arrive. To personalize your trip to South Padre Island, create itinerary details specific to you using our United States tour planning website.
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    Top South Padre Island tours

    BOOK WITH VIATOR 90-Minute Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island
    4.7
    Duration: 1h 30min
    Tours from $17 ›
    BOOK WITH VIATOR Parasailing Adventure in South Padre Island
    4.8
    Duration: 1h
    Tours from $97 ›
    BOOK WITH VIATOR Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island
    4.8
    Duration: 1h 30min
    Tours from $16 ›
    BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Sunset Cruise South Padre Island
    4.8
    Duration: 1h 30min
    Tours from $269 ›
    BOOK WITH VIATOR 45-Minute Jetski Rental in South Padre Island
    4.6
    Duration: 45min
    Tours from $108 ›
    BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Bay Fishing South Padre Island
    4.9
    Duration: 4h
    Tours from $539 ›
    BOOK WITH VIATOR 1.5-Hour Historical Jet Ski Tour in South Padre Island
    4.6
    Duration: 1h 30min
    Tours from $173 ›
    BOOK WITH VIATOR Banana Boat South Padre Island
    4.8
    Duration: 20min
    Tours from $33 ›
    BOOK WITH VIATOR Bay Fishing South Padre Island
    4.2
    Duration: 4h
    Tours from $30 ›

    Popular things to do in South Padre Island

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    South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center ©
    Wildlife Area
    South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours
    Sea Turtle, Inc. ©
    Wildlife Area
    Sea Turtle, Inc.
    4.7
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    ©
    Dolphin / Whale Watching
    Dolphin & Whale Watching
    4.5
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    ©
    Horseback Riding Tour
    Horseback Riding Tours
    4.1
    Duration: 2 hours

    Side trips from South Padre Island

    ©
    Boat Tour
    Boat Tours & Water Sports
    Port Isabel
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours
    Gladys Porter Zoo ©
    Zoo
    Gladys Porter Zoo
    Brownsville
    4.5
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum ©
    Monument
    Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum
    Harlingen
    4.8
    Duration: 2 hours
    Quinta Mazatlan ©
    Historic Site
    Quinta Mazatlan
    McAllen
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours

    Hidden gems in South Padre Island

    Andy Bowie Park ©
    Park
    Andy Bowie Park
    4.0
    Duration: 2 hours
    Isla Blanca Park ©
    Beach
    Isla Blanca Park
    2.9
    Duration: 2 hours
    Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA ©
    Landmark
    Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA
    4.0
    Duration: 30 minutes
    Laguna Madre Nature Trail ©
    Historic Walking Area
    Laguna Madre Nature Trail
    4.3
    Duration: 2 hours

    Shopping in South Padre Island

    Seas the Day ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Seas the Day
    5.0
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard
    4.9
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    Karen's Custom Toe Rings ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Karen's Custom Toe Rings
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours
    South Padre Island Farmer's Market ©
    Flea Market
    South Padre Island Farmer's Market
    3.9
    Duration: 2 hours

    Kid-friendly things to do in South Padre Island

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    ©
    Fishing Charter / Tour
    Fishing Charters & Tours
    4.2
    Duration: 2 hours
    ©
    Parasailing / Paragliding
    Parasailing & Paragliding
    4.2
    Duration: 1 hour
    Gravity Park ©
    Theme Park
    Gravity Park
    3.8
    Duration: 2 hours

    Wildlife in South Padre Island

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    ©
    Scuba / Snorkeling
    Scuba & Snorkeling
    4.4
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Don't Miss a Thing.
    See & Do More.

    Our expert advice on where to stay in South Padre Island

    Sea Turtle, Inc. ©
    As with most tropical destinations, room rates in South Padre Island increase the closer you get to the beachfront, especially if you arrive at the height of tourist season. If you’ve built in a big budget for accommodations, stay at one of the town's high-rise luxury hotels or private seaside cottages. To stay near the water without spending too much, avoid the expensive spring break season. Consider one of the island's inns or developed campgrounds with easy beach access.
    20 million rooms are at your fingertips!
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    Places to visit with South Padre Island

    AustinTrip planner Best for: Government Building, History Museum, Nightlife San AntonioTrip planner Best for: Shopping, Historic Site, Mission DallasTrip planner Best for: Specialty Museum, Garden, Aquarium FredericksburgTrip planner Best for: Winery / Vineyard, Military Museum, Wine Tour / Tasting HoustonTrip planner Best for: Specialty Museum, Science Museum, Ballet
    Visit a single location or make it a multi-destination trip.

    Recently planned trips to South Padre Island

    5 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Waterskiing & Jetskiing Horseback Riding Tours Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA 4 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Andy Bowie Park University of Texas - Pan American Coastal Studies Lab Isla Blanca Park 5 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Isla Blanca Park Dolphin & Whale Watching Sea Turtle, Inc. 35 days in Cherry Valley & South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Cherry Valley South Padre Island 5 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM CANADA Gladys Porter Zoo Boca Chica State Park South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center 33 days in Cherry Valley & South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Cherry Valley South Padre Island 33 days in Cherry Valley & South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Cherry Valley South Padre Island 8 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Sea Turtle, Inc. University of Texas - Pan American Coastal Studies Lab Isla Blanca Park 4 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Skydive South Padre Island Karen's Custom Toe Rings Isla Blanca Park 4 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Karen's Custom Toe Rings Isla Blanca Park Sabal Palm Sanctuary 4 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Skydive South Padre Island Karen's Custom Toe Rings Isla Blanca Park 8 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES South Padre Island
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