South Padre Island, TX  78597
South Padre Island is a coastal resort town on the Gulf of Mexico with five miles of beautiful seashore located at the southernmost part of the world's longest barrier reef island on the Gulf of Mexico at the Texas / Mexico border.
South Padre Island is one on the top destinations in Texas for vacations due to beautiful beaches, tall sand dunes, and warm Gulf waters. Some of South Padre Island's attractions are the gorgeous beach, saltwater deep sea and bay fishing, Gulf shrimp, fresh fish and seafood served at most Island restaurants, eco-tourism and numerous water sports. Nearby cities are Brownsville and Harlingen, TX.  Matamoros and Progresso, Tamps. Mexico is also only minutes away.

South Padre Island vacations can be planned for any time of year.  The winters are warm with average temps in the 70's and contrary to most people thinking South Padre is one of the mildest places in Texas during the summer.  Proximity to the Gulf and its sea breezes keep the summer temps in the high 80's and low 90's.
Spring Break is a very busy time for South Padre Island. Thousands of college students enjoy a break from their studies during March to play on the beach and party in the nightclubs.

The locals will tell you that the best time of year to visit South Padre Island is Sept, Oct, Nov, April and May.  The fishing is at its best and the weather is perfect and boating is great.  The crowds of the summer and Spring Break are gone and rates are at their lowest.

The winter months on South Padre Island finds many people from the Northern states enjoying the beach, fishing, restaurants, activities and shopping as the make their winter home here.  They are fondly referred to as "Winter Texans" and are viewed as if they were local residents during their stay.

Year round fun is the key to South Padre Island's popularity. One can enjoy one of the best beaches in the US, dine in our great restaurants, watch the dolphins, go deep sea or bay fishing, parasail, shop Mexico and simple relax 365 days per year

If you're looking for deals, steals and bargains, then you've found the right place. We all know how important it is to save money on a trip, especially if you're a family on a limited budget (or a Spring Breaker). Keep in mind that the best place to find deals and coupons at South Padre Island is at the South Padre Island Visitors Center at 600 Padre Blvd where they have copies of coupons, brochures and flyers with special incentives. Also, be sure to get the special "Guide to South Padre Island"

Beach
Of all the many attractions on South Padre Island, no doubt #1 is the beach. It has been rated by the Travel Channel as the "Third Best Beach in America." The wide white sandy shoreline stretches the entire 34 miles of the island, bounded on the eastern side by the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and on the west by the shallow and tranquil Laguna Madre Bay. The lower five or six miles of the island are filled with a fabulous array of resorts, restaurants, shops and various attractions. Then the road up the middle of the island comes to a dead end and the larger northern portion of the beach remains undeveloped and pristine. Beyond where the road ends those with 4-wheel-drive vehicles may drive for many miles up the beach.

Schlitterbahn Waterpark
It's a great water park to visit with your family, friends, etc. It can be for all ages. So many things to do there! Great water activities, great souveniers, great food.

Sea Turtle Rescue
A neat place for the whole family to see. They rescue and try to rehabilitate injured sea turtles. There are always at least 4-5 big turtles swimming in large tanks. They ask a $3-a-head donation and give you about a half hour talk on their history and work. A high light is to be there for feeding time. On occasion they also have a small kiddie pool full of hatchlings waiting to be let loose in the open water.
You probably won't spend more than an hour there, but it's a nice place to go when you want to get out of the Sun for a while.

Isla Blanca Park
On the southernmost tip of South Padre Island, Isla Blanca is one of the largest parks in Texas and the crown jewel of the Cameron County Park System. In the park there is more than one mile of clean white beach along the Gulf of Mexico, a fishing jetty, picnic and playground areas, concessions, 600 R.V. camping spaces a boat ramp, and more. Although there are several places on South Padre Island with free beach access, the $3.00 per car fee to Isla Blanca Park is more than worth it because of the many ammenities provided.

Laguna Madre Nature Trail
South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley is famous as a birding hot spot, with more than 400 species having been recorded in the area. One of the best bird watching sites is the Laugana Madre Nature Trail. The trail consists of two long boardwalks, one cutting through the tall marsh grass, and the other along the tidal mud flats. Each is made of recycled material, and ends at a photo blind. At the beginning of the trail is a Warbler Rest Area, planted with flowers and shrubs designed to attract the winged creatures on a year-round basis.

Nightlife
Once the sun sets and hunger pangs hit, vacationers should prepare for a true treat, since South Padre's dining scene is as diverse as it is plentiful, with restaurants serving Polynesian, Mediterranean, Italian, and New American fare. Of course, visiting Texas and not sampling native Tex-Mex cuisine is nothing short of sacrilege, and numerous restaurants have all you need in the way of margaritas, sangria, fajitas de camarón, and kicking salsa. For the late-night crowd, the island springs to life with terrific bars and dance clubs, and countless thatch-roofed huts and beachside cabanas serve cold brews and mixed drinks well into the night. Fun places like Isla Grand's Quarterdeck Lounge, Louie's Backyard, with its bungee tower and outdoor dance floor, and Schlitterbahn Beach, a huge park that boasts everything from thrilling pavilion rides to rocking concerts, round out the Padre Island night scene.

Summer is a busy time on South Padre Island.  Everything is in full swing catering to family vacationers getting away to the beach.  Yes it's warm but South Padre does not experience the scorching temperatures most other locations do.  The daily "Gulf Breezes" serves as our air conditioner.  When temperatures 30 miles from the island are over 100 degrees; South Padre Island's upper 80's seem like heaven.  Rarely do temperatures exceed 90 in the middle of summer.

Bring sunscreen! Even if you are accustomed to being outside regularly you will need sunscreen.  South Padre Island's extreme southern latitude means the sun is more intense and direct. You can burn very easily.

One word describes this time of year "PERFECT!"  It just does not get better than the fall of the year on South Padre Island.  No, the palm leaves do not turn and the chill is not in the air.  You can expect temps in the 80's with clear sky and not many people. (except the locals who play this time of year)  The best deals of the year are to be had in the fall and everything is open.  Fishing is at it's best both in the bay and offshore.

Winter (we use the term loosely here on South Padre Island) is a fantastic time of the year.  Temps average in the 70's and outdoor activities are abundant.  "Winter Texans" as we fondly call visitors from the northern states and Canada flock to South Padre Island staying in hotels and RVs.  Fishing, golf, birding, beach combing, visiting Mexico and dining are among their favorite pass times.

When the word "Spring" and South Padre Island is used in the same sentence one pictures the thousands of college students partying on the beach and nightclubs, traffic jams and such.  This perhaps is true for what is termed "Texas Week" when local universities break for the spring holidays.  However, local residents will tell you that the months of March, April and May (Fall season as well) are the prime times for the Island.  You will find the beaches without crowds, merchants offer their best prices and everything is in full operation.

Plan a trip to South Padre Island in the spring... you will return year after year.

South Padre Island comes alive during spring break (month of March) with college students from throughout the USA  enjoying the beaches and tropical weather. Daytime activities such as surfing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, wave runners, bikini contests, and coca cola beach parties right here at the Isla Grand are favorire activities. The evenings are famous for super hot night clubs with live concerts and DJs to get your groove going all night long! Plan your South Padre Island Spring Break now! Isla Grand is "Spring Break Central" and the best places to stay and chill spring break style.

Come to South Padre Island for YOUR spring break to party Island style and hang with thousands of your closest friends! South Padre Island, Texas the number one spring break party destination in America!.