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

South Padre Island

4
Wildlife Areas · Dolphin & Whale Watching · Fishing Charters & Tours
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. Take a look at our United States online road trip planner to refine the details of your trip to South Padre Island.
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    Top South Padre Island tours

    FROM $79 BOOK WITH VIATOR Parasailing Adventure South Padre Island
    4.8
    Duration: 45 minutes
    Tours from $79 »
    FROM $13 BOOK WITH VIATOR Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island
    4.7
    Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Tours from $13 »
    FROM $379 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Bay Fishing South Padre Island
    5.0
    Duration: 4 hours
    Tours from $379 »

    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
    4.6
    Duration: 2 hours
    Sea Turtle, Inc. ©
    Wildlife Area
    Sea Turtle, Inc.
    4.7
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    ©
    Dolphin / Whale Watching
    Dolphin & Whale Watching
    4.6
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    ©
    Fishing Charter / Tour
    Fishing Charters & Tours
    4.2
    Duration: 2h 30 min

    Kid-friendly things to do in South Padre Island

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    ©
    Horseback Riding Tour
    Horseback Riding Tours
    4.2
    Duration: 2 hours
    ©
    Adrenaline / Extreme Tour
    Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
    2.6
    Duration: 2 hours
    ©
    Parasailing / Paragliding
    Parasailing & Paragliding
    4.2
    Duration: 1 hour
    Isla Blanca Park ©
    Beach
    Isla Blanca Park
    2.9
    Duration: 2 hours

    Side trips from South Padre Island

    South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center
    Aquarium
    South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center
    Port Isabel
    4.6
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    Gladys Porter Zoo ©
    Zoo
    Gladys Porter Zoo
    Brownsville
    4.5
    Duration: 2 hours
    Port Isabel Lighthouse ©
    Lighthouse
    Port Isabel Lighthouse
    Port Isabel
    4.0
    Duration: 2 hours
    Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum ©
    Monument
    Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum
    Harlingen
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours

    Hidden gems in South Padre Island

    Laguna Madre Nature Trail ©
    Historic Walking Area
    Laguna Madre Nature Trail
    4.4
    Duration: 2 hours
    Wyland's Whaling Wall ©
    Landmark
    Wyland's Whaling Wall
    3.8
    Duration: 2 hours
    Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard
    4.9
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    Seas the Day ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Seas the Day
    5.0
    Duration: 1h 30 min

    Shopping in South Padre Island

    Karen's Custom Toe Rings ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Karen's Custom Toe Rings
    4.7
    Duration: 30 minutes
    South Padre Island Farmer's Market ©
    Flea Market
    South Padre Island Farmer's Market
    3.9
    Duration: 2 hours

    Wildlife in South Padre Island

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    ©
    Scuba / Snorkeling
    Scuba & Snorkeling
    4.4
    Duration: 1h 30 min

    Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

    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.
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    Places to visit with South Padre Island

    San Antonio Trip planner BEST FOR: Shopping, Historic Site, Theme Park Austin Trip planner BEST FOR: Government Building, History Museum, Entertainment Center Dallas Trip planner BEST FOR: Specialty Museum, Garden, Aquarium Fredericksburg Trip planner BEST FOR: Winery / Vineyard, Military Museum, Geologic Formation Houston Trip 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 Don Wes Flea Market · Valley Nature Center · Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets 4 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Sea Turtle, Inc. · South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center · Horseback Riding Tours 13 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES South Padre Island · New Orleans · Clearwater 12 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES South Padre Island · New Orleans · Clearwater 12 days in Texas Gulf Coast BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Houston · Galveston · Corpus Christi 19 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Palm Springs · Las Vegas · Grand Canyon National Park 22 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Laguna Madre Nature Trail · South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center · Horseback Riding Tours 9 days in Texas BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Austin · Fredericksburg · San Antonio 8 days in Texas Gulf Coast BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES South Padre Island · Corpus Christi · Galveston 10 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Waco · Fredericksburg · San Antonio 5 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Port Isabel Lighthouse · South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center · Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA 28 days in Texas BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Amarillo · Dallas · Waco
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