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A beautiful tropical island on the Gulf Coast of Texas, South Padre Island is known for its light, clean beaches, tall sand dunes, and warm clear Gulf waters. Easily the finest coastal destination in the state, South Padre Island offers endless family fun, and is perfect for youngsters and the young-at-heart. Don’t believe us? Let us convince you South Padre Island is the perfect place for your next tropical getaway.
Go for the beaches….stay for the beaches
Your inner beach bum is sure to appreciate South Padre Island beaches, which are simply the best in Texas. Offering mild temperatures year-round, emerald blue water and a wide variety of beach activities, the destination makes for an all-round great tropical escape. With beach access points every few blocks along Gulf Boulevard (several large hotels and many vacation rental units sit right on the beach), there’s a whole lot of coast to explore. Boasting the best surf along the Texas Gulf Coast, South Padre Island’s uncrowded waves make the ideal destination for surfers, new or experienced. Feel like sticking to land for a while? Opt for a sand castle lesson with a local professional – this is the Sand Castle Capital of the World, after all!
Come on in, the water’s nice
With 55 kilometres of beaches, it’s no surprise that South Padre Island is the perfect place to enjoy some wind and water sports. Whatever the activity – windsurfing, jet skiing, kiteboarding, snorkelling or scuba diving – enjoy it with your entire family. There’s a broad variety of activities to choose from, for both thrill-seekers and those looking for a more relaxing way to enjoy the waterfront scenery. The Island is also known for some of the best fishing in the country. Cast a line off the Gulf Coast or into the surf for offshore fishing or book an outfitter for exceptional bay fishing; there are plenty of ways to reel in your next big catch.
Get outside
South Padre Island is home to a diverse selection of wildlife. Texas tortoise, dolphins and sea turtles are just some of the many animals that you can find on the Island – some of which face extinction and depend on South Padre Island for their survival. A must-do for any island visitor, Sea Turtle, Inc. provides visitors with the chance to learn more about the rescue, rehabilitation and release of the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle. Regularly scheduled releases take place in the summer, giving you the opportunity to watch baby sea turtles leave their nests and make their way to the Gulf for the very first time. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to view bottlenose and spinner dolphins in all their natural splendor with dolphin watch cruises. Tours leave every day from the Sea Ranch Marina.
If that’s not enough to keep you busy, there are numerous island events and classes happening weekly – so much, in fact, that it can be hard to keep up. Book a sandcastle lesson or join a surfing day camp to master the waves before your trip is over. Enjoy fireworks over the bay and on the beach every Thursday through Saturday from May through Labor Day. The RGV Family Summer Adventure Challenge, running until the end of August, is a family treasure hunt through the island’s Rio Grande Valley parks and nature centres. Take part in the challenges and maybe even win a few cool prizes to take home while doing so.
With miles of light sand and clear emerald water, South Padre Island is Texas’ only tropical island paradise. Calm weather and more than 300 days of sunshine make the Island a year-round destination offering a variety of nature tourism attractions, water sports and activities for the entire family. #TexasBestBeach
For more information visit www.sopadre.com.