The 15 Best Things You Can Do In South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a great getaway location! Whether you are a college student going for spring break or on a family vacation South Padre has so much to offer! South Padre is best known as a college spring break destination. The best time to go through is actually between September and February.
So if you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation and want to avoid the rowdiness of college students on spring break, you are in luck because the best months are not even in the spring break time frame!
List of 15 Things to Do in South Padre Island
Here are the fifteen Amazing Activities you can do on South Padre Island.
- Parasailing Adventure
- Dolphin watching
- Rent a golf cart
- Fishing
- Book a sunset boat ride
- Jet Ski tour
- Visit the Sand Castle Trail
- Sea turtle watching
- South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center + Alligator Sanctuary
- Gravity Park
- Visit Port Isabel Lighthouse
- Go horseback riding on the beach
- Isla Blanca
- Have a picnic at the beach
- Go diving
1. Parasailing Adventure
Address: 204 Palm St, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA
Parasail over beautiful Laguna Madre Bay! This ticket costs $97 and gets you a breathtaking view of the city. It is truly an amazing experience, you feel the ocean breeze on your face while you take in the amazing view of the clear waters and the island. The meeting point is at 204 Palm St, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA.
2. Dolphin Watching
Address: 33256 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA
There are several dolphin-watching tours so you have options! The one I recommend is the 90-minute dolphin watch tour. This tour takes you on a lovely boat around the Gulf of Mexico, where you can look out for dolphins and also enjoy a beautiful boat ride. I recommend scheduling a little before sunset time, that way you can watch the dolphins in good lighting but also get to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the water. This is located at 33256 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA.
3. Rent a golf cart
Address: 2600 Padre Blvd, Suite N
Rent a golf cart for 8 hours and explore the island! Take it around and go restaurant hopping or take it around the beach. It is a great way to get a lay of the land and have a fun ride! The rental company is located at 2600 Padre Blvd. Suite N.
4. Fishing
Address: 204 Palm St, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA
If you are looking for a great fishing experience, we got you! The best option is private bay fishing. When you book with them you get a private fishing charter on Laguna Madre and you’ll be taken to secret fishing areas where you will get some great local fish from that area! They will even clean the fish that you catch so you can take it home! Private bay fishing is located at 204 Palm St, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA.
5. Book a sunset boat ride
Address: 204 Palm St, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA
Book a private sunset cruise for your vacation! This is a great activity for groups! If you are traveling with a significant other, this is a very romantic activity! You will get to experience a beautiful sunset while also getting to see dolphins and other wildlife while on this boat ride! The meeting point for the private sunset cruise is at 204 Palm St, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA.
6. Jet ski tour
Address: 204 Palm St, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA
Book a ride on a Jet Ski! This is such a fun activity for any time of vacation. You get to jet ski around Laguna Madre and feel like the main character driving the jet ski! Book a 45 minute time slot and have a blast! The meeting location is at 204 Palm St, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA.
7. Sand Castle Trail
Address: 610 Padre Blvd
If you love to see the “World’s largest…” you will love this! South Padre has big sand castles for you to go and see! You get to see cool sand castles and maybe you’ll be inspired to make one yourself! Making sand castles will always be fun, no matter what your age is! It is located at 610 Padre Blvd.
8. Sea Turtle Watching
Address: 6617 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Go visit the sea turtles on your trip! Go visit Sea Turtle Inc. They are a conservation organization and you get to see some beautiful turtles that they have rescued. They are located at 6617 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597.
9. South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center + Alligator Sanctuary
Address: 6801 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
South Padre has a bird sanctuary/ nature center and an alligator sanctuary. Personally, I am terrified of alligators, but this is a fun activity to go and explore while on your vacation. You will get to see so many beautiful animals and get educated on the animals. They are located at 6801 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597.
10. Gravity Park
Address: 106 West Marlin Street, South Padre Island, Texas, 78597
If you are looking for maximum fun, this is the place for you! They offer the tallest reverse bungee in the world, a giant swing that gives you a view of the whole island, go-karts, trampolines, mini golf, and more! If you like thrilling experiences you are sure to find it here! They are located at 106 West Marlin Street, South Padre Island, Texas, 78597.
11. Visit Port Isabel Lighthouse
Address: 421 E Queen Isabella Blvd, Port Isabel, TX 78578
If you love historic tours, take a trip to see Port Isabel Lighthouse! If you are looking for a great view, go visit this lighthouse! You can see the entire island from the top of the lighthouse. Overall it is an interesting place to visit and a fun activity for your South Padre vacation! The lighthouse is located at 421 E Queen Isabella Blvd, Port Isabel, TX 78578.
12. Go horseback riding on the beach
Address: 21040 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Island Adventure offers several different horseback riding adventures. You can go on an early morning ride, sunset ride, etc. What better activity to do when you are visiting a Texas beach? It is a must! They are located at 21040 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597.
13. Isla Blanca
Address: 33174 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Isla Blanca is a beach park! Go for a day and enjoy the amazing beach! They also have onsite food and restaurants, a water park, and other amenities! Go to Isla Blanca for a great beach day! They are located at 33174 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597.
14. Have a picnic at the beach
Spend an afternoon doing a good and simple activity! Pack a picnic lunch, a beach towel, an umbrella, some drinks, and head to the beach! Have a relaxing day in the sun while hearing the waves crashing. Enjoy a beach day and have a picnic!
15. Diving
Address: 33256 State Park Rd 100 #104, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Go diving with American Diving! American Diving is a world-renowned scuba diving center. They have 3 different dive trips you can choose from depending on what you want to do. If you want to try out scuba diving they are the company to do it with! They are located at 33256 State Park Rd 100 #104, South Padre Island, TX 78597.
