South Padre Island Activities

1) Visit Schlitterbahn

Get wet at one of the top water parks in the country. Schlitterbahn Beach has water slides and rides for visitors of all ages and also features restaurants and evening entertainment.

2) Go on a Dolphin Watch

Breakaway Cruises of South Padre Island offers dolphin watches, sunset cruises, fireworks cruises, snorkel trips, and more to make your South Padre Island vacation complete.

3) Go Fishing

How can you be surrounded by water and not want to go fishing? South Padre Island boasts some of the nation's top inshore and offshore sport fishing.

4) Dive or Snorkel in the Gulf of Mexico

American Diving offers a wide array of diving and snorkeling expeditions in the clear Gulf waters surrounding South Padre Island.

5) Windsurf

With miles of shallow, calm water in the Lower Laguna Madre and strong winds coming off the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre Island is a windsurfer's dream.

6) Play a Round of Golf

Located across the bay in Laguna Vista, the South Padre Island Golf Course is just a short drive for visitors wishing to play a round of golf.

7) See Sea Turtle, Inc.

South Padre Island's Sea Turtle, Inc. is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating sea turtles, particularly the endangered Kemp's Ridley. Sea Turtle, Inc. also offers education tours, giving visitors an up-close look at these magnificent creatures.

8) Ride a Horse on the Beach

South Padre Island's Island Equestrian Center offers kids and adults alike an opportunity to ride a horse on the beach on the desolate stretches beach on the north side of South Padre Island.

9) View Birds from the Bay

Fins 2 Feathers Cruises of South Padre Island offers a variety of private sunset, dolphin watch and bird watching cruises and activities.

10) Visit Port Isabel Lighthouse

Located in Port Isabel, one of the oldest towns in Texas, the Point Isabel Lighthouse served mariners along the Lower Texas Coast throughout the Civil War and into the 1900s.

The South Padre Island Golf Club winds along the placid Laguna Madre bay with spectacular views of the Island. It's no wonder that it was selected as one of the Top 20 news courses in America by Golf Magazine when it opened in 1997. Each hole offers unexpected challenges just minutes from South Padre Island in Laguna Vista. The 18-hole, par 72 course is complemented by a 385-yard driving range, putting and chipping greens, pro shop and clubhouse. Call 956-943-5678 for tee times.

Tennis
South Padre Island's sunny days make for perfect play - regardless of your skill level. All of the major hotels and condominiums feature tennis courts which are available to their guests. The staff at the South Padre Island Visitors Center (1-800-767-2373) can also offer suggestions on private and group lessons.

Fishing
With so many state and world records set in our bay and gulf waters, South Padre Island has a world class reputation among fishermen. Half day and full day trips in the Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico cost as little as $14 or as much as $1000, depending on your prowess, your pocketbook, and how far offshore you venture. The list of species is as long as the gulf is deep: whiting, drum, flounder, trout, redfish, kingfish, Wahoo, tuna, marlin, and sailfish are a few.

A convenient way to check on conditions and to find out more about booking a trip is to contact Jim's Pier (956-761-2865), Fisherman's Wharf (956-761-7818), Sea Ranch Marina (956-761-5493), Fish Tales (956) 943-3185, Deep Sea Fishing "Osprey" & "Osprey II" 956-761-6655.

Windsurfing

The Laguna Madre Bay separates South Padre Island from the Texas mainland and is recognized as one of the world's top windsurfing destinations. The sailing season off South Padre runs from September through May. Water depth varies from three to five feet, daytime winds average 18 mph, and the average yearly temperature is in the 70's.

Novices and pros come to sail the bay, the Jetties, Boca Chica, and the Ditch, site of some of the fastest windsurfing speeds in North America. For complete information on conditions, accommodations, equipment, and rentals, contact Windsurf Inc. on the Bay (956-761-1434 or 1-800-880-5423) or Windsurf the Boatyard (956-761-5061).

Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding is fast becoming the hottest new water sport and South Padre Island offers year-round, world-class kiteboarding conditions. consistent winds offer beginner to expert riders near perfect flat-water conditions to hone their skills. Advanced kiteboarders will enjoy riding the Laguna Madre and the waves of the Gulf of Mexico. Experienced, certified instructors are available to teach you about this exciting sport. For the fun of it call South Padre Kiteboarding (956)761-1434 or 1-800-880-5423, South Padre Island Kiteboarding, Inc. (956)245-8343, or WorldKites.com (956)778-2380.