A South Padre Island beach vacation can be a wonderful escape from your everyday world.
What do you think of when dreaming about a beach vacation? I think of relaxing on the beach soaking in some rays while listening to the beautiful sound of waves crashing. And maybe a cocktail in my hand. I also envision running and playing with my kids through the sand and water or did when they were little anyway.
In Texas South Padre Island is one of the best beach destinations you will find.
Whatever your vision is for a beach vacation I’m sure you can make that happen on South Padre Island. Whether it’s a quiet romantic trip or a crazy fun-filled family trip.
This island has a lot to offer for individuals to families. If traveling with kids and have a long drive check out some of my road trip tips and road trip activities.
Here are some activities and places we experienced on South Padre Island that could keep you busy for a week or more.
# 1 Building a sandcastle with an expert
This is an awesome experience.
I did some research before our trip and learned about Lucinda, also known as “Sandy Feet”. She runs a business called Sandy Feet Sand Castle Services in the area. We bought her book, Sandcastles Made Simple, to use as a reference for making sandcastles before and after our lesson. We also brought it with us to have her sign it.
She or one of her staff members will meet you at a location on the beach. You will be taught how to make sand castles. My family had a great time interacting with her and learning the fun ways of making and detailing sandcastles. They even offer to let you borrow their items for the rest of your stay to continue building sandcastles.
After taking the lessons, you can still enjoy building sandcastles with your family. If you don’t want to hire a teacher, then simply have fun building and creating your own castles with your kids. The sand at this location is the best for creating sandcastles, so make the most of it.
#2 Sea Turtle Inc.– This is a turtle rescue and rehab center.
They have several turtles under rehabilitation, while some of them can no longer survive on their own and hence, they are considered permanent residents there. You are allowed to explore the area and visit all the educational centers to have a look at all the sea turtles on your own. Please visit their website to know the current operational hours and prices.
#3 Baby Sea Turtle Release
Don’t miss out on this spectacular view.
The event usually takes place from mid-June to August. If you plan to visit during this period, make sure to check out Sea Turtle Inc.’s webpage to find out the days and times they will release baby sea turtles. However, keep in mind that it’s not guaranteed to happen during your vacation, as the release is dependent on when the turtles hatch and are ready to be released.
The release typically happens just before sunrise, but it’s a great experience because you get to witness the baby sea turtles being released and enjoy the beautiful sunrise.
#4 Shell hunting
My kids and I always enjoy hunting for shells.
You can search for shells anywhere on the beach, but if you head towards the northern end of the island, you’ll find more beaches with plenty of shells.
#5 Sand Dune Climbing and Fun
Head to the very north end of the island to enjoy the sand dunes.
When you come across the sand dunes, simply park your vehicle off the side of the road and let the kids enjoy playing on them. Additionally, we recommend visiting the beaches near the sand dunes for shell hunting. You can easily spot the sand dunes from the main road.
#6 Horseback riding on the beach and through the sand dunes – Check out South Padre Island Adventure Park.
Aside from horseback riding, they offer a petting zoo and zip line.
My family and I decided to go horseback riding on the beach. The group size depended on the number of people that day, but we still had a great time. The guides were friendly and helped us get pictures of ourselves on horseback. Riding along the beach next to the water and through sands dunes was enjoyable. The horses were well-trained and followed the lead of the others, so there was no need to worry about any runaway horses.
The guides were also mindful of each individual’s needs and ensured that they were paired with the best horse. They also provided tips and reminders on how to ride a horse. However, please note that children must be at least 6 years old to participate.
#7 Parasailing
My kids had an awesome experience parasailing.
We chose Parrot Eyes Watersports for our parasail trip as they have a parasail platform in the water. In my opinion, this is a safer and less scary way to parasail. They pick you up in a shuttle boat and take you to the platform. My husband and I paid a fee to just ride and watch our kids parasail. Although we had gone parasailing before, it was our kids’ first time.
During the parasail trip, you get to fly over the crystal clear bay water of the Gulf of Mexico, where you can witness various marine life such as fish and dolphins. We appreciated that the area they fly over isn’t close to any obstructions, such as bridges, and they stay far enough from the bridge, unlike some others we saw close to them.
#8 Dolphin Boat Tour
There are many different companies to choose from.
We chose a tour that included an Eco-tour. During this tour, they dragged a small net and showed us the different marine life they caught. This was an educational experience for the kids and they enjoyed it. We were also lucky enough to see dozens of dolphins swimming alongside the boat while we moved along. It was a special moment that we will always remember.
#9 Bird Nature Center
On one of our visits to South Padre Island we did take advantage of visiting this place.
There are plenty of beautiful boardwalks in the area, perfect for taking a stroll and observing various bird species. You can also visit the wetland areas to spot alligators and explore the butterfly garden. Additionally, they have an exhibit area where you can learn about the local birds and other educational information.
#10 Walking Trails Around The Convention Center
This is near the Nature Center.
Take a walk along the Laguna Madre nature trail boardwalk to spot alligators and birds. This is free activity that we always do whenever we visit SPI. During our last visit, we saw an alligator in the marsh off of this trail. Additionally, don’t miss out the Whaling Wall, a giant painting of whales that is perfect for taking photos or just admiring.
#11 Bay Fishing Charter
My husband enjoyed this activity with one of his friends.
This is great for those who love to fish or just want to experience it.
#12 Crab Hunting At Night
A big highlight of my kid’s evenings at South Padre Island is to go out at night with flashlights to hunt for crabs.
It’s very easy to do and free entertainment for all. You just shine the flashlight on the beach and watch the crabs run across the sand and disappear into holes or bury themselves.
#13 Watching Fireworks On The Beach
Many locations offer fireworks on different nights throughout the summer. Don’t miss out on seeing those as they are enjoyable to watch.
#14 Feeding Seagulls On The Beach
If you want to feed seagulls, do it in an open area with few people around. Once you start feeding them, you’ll be amazed at how many come flying in.
In a few stores, there is a unique item that resembles a plunger which can be used to collect ghost shrimp. These shrimp can be given to seagulls as they are a favorite food of theirs. Children can have fun collecting these shrimp and feeding to the seagulls. Additionally, these ghost shrimp can even be used as bait for fishing.
For Some Extra Fun near South Padre Island
Make sure to visit Port Isabel either before or after your trip to SPI, or even plan a short excursion to explore the area. You can visit the charming lighthouse and enjoy a little adventure. Additionally, there are some lovely shops where you can enjoy a shopping spree.
There are always plenty of fun activities and things to do. Share your favorite activities in the comments below.
My family and I love visiting South Padre Island. The beaches have great sand for building sandcastles, and the water is crystal clear and blue.
When is the best time of the year to visit South Padre Island? My family and I recommend visiting during June, July, or August, which is perfect for a summer vacation, and the water will feel great.
We particularly love going there during June – August to witness the baby sea turtle release and fireworks display.
I’m sure Spring Break would be the best time to go for college students or partygoers.
Others who don’t want to swim but just take walks on the beach might enjoy the less busy times of the year.
If you’re planning a beach vacation, don’t forget to check out my blog on Crystal Beach. I have created a list of essential items that you should take with you to make your trip more enjoyable. Additionally, I have provided tips on various activities that you can do at the beach. So, make sure to read my blog before packing for your beach vacation.
Have an amazing time!