Skip to Content

26 Best and Fun Things To Do In South Padre Island, Texas


TouristWire Editors

If you’re thinking about vacationing on one of the barrier islands on the Texas Gulf Coast, but are having trouble deciding which one, consider going to South Padre Island!

This town offers the best overall experience compared to other Texas Gulf towns like Corpus Christi, and it’s not hard to see why – it has all the elements of a quintessential beach town and then some!

It’s home to soft, sandy beaches where visitors can soak up the sun while listening to the waves gently washing up on the shore.

The calm waters also mean that it’s a great location for swimming, snorkeling, and other types of water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding.  

South Padre Island is also home to a vibrant nightlife scene with live Las Vegas and Latin-style entertainment, bars, clubs, and cocktail lounges.

For nature lovers, the Padre Island National Seashore offers 60 miles of protected beaches with opportunities for wildlife viewing and birding.

Whatever your interests, you’re sure to find it in South Padre Island – the beach town that has it all!

Looking for more ideas? Keep reading for a list of additional attractions and activities

The 26 Most Popular Things To Do In South Padre Island, Texas

26. South Padre Island

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

25. Brazos Island

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

24. Del Mar Beach

5.0 ★★★★★ (3 reviews)

23. Treasures of the Gulf Museum

3.9 ★★★★☆ (19 reviews)

Location: 317 E Railroad Ave Port Isabel TX

Tel:  956 943 7602

22. Port Isabel Historical Museum

4.4 ★★★★☆ (97 reviews)

Location: 317 E Railroad Ave Port Isabel TX

Tel:  956 943 7602

Web Address:   http://portisabelhistory.com/

21. Arturo Galvan Coastal Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ (115 reviews)

Af1qipnfydupbf4vud13dgej7artd pindkbntls2hr9=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Nicole Wiebe, Google Maps

Location: 1801 2nd Street Port Isabel TX

Tel:  956 943 2682

Web Address:   https://portisabelsouthpadre.com/2018/01/19/arturo-galvan-coastal-park-improvements-to-continue/

20. Ka Motion Sailing Adventure

4.8 ★★★★★ (154 reviews)

Af1qipoxwj40k5nqqv8dvvobqxkghfzmkn9yl7shgbxj=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Ka Motion Sailing Adventure, Google Maps

Location: 200 Pike Street South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 410 9945

Web Address:   http://kamotionsailingadventure.com/

19. Brazos Island State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (206 reviews)

Af1qipp0cxrowskvs8p exqcfsod-wsosclz0pwoesqg=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: 이민우, Google Maps

Location: Brownsville TX

18. Isla Blanca Beach

4.6 ★★★★★ (217 reviews)

5978201964 c64011769d c

Credit: Vince Smith, License, Flickr

17. Sea Life Center Dolphin Educational Boat Tours

4.3 ★★★★☆ (219 reviews)

Af1qippyvvmo4-ewww6trbzgcec3o6eopmnojwi -1l-=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Sea Life Center Dolphin Educational Boat Tours, Google Maps

Location: W Garcia Street Port Isabel TX

Tel:  956 299 1957

Web Address:   http://spinaturecenter.com/

16. Beach Access #16 – Neptune Circle

4.7 ★★★★★ (228 reviews)

Af1qipo-ngvwx9afvobtlfob2qulv-e90o40evxyhryb=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Rachel Polk, Google Maps

Location: South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 761 6456

Web Address:   http://myspi.org/egov/apps/map/viewer.egov

15. Jetties South Padre Island Tower

4.7 ★★★★★ (285 reviews)

Af1qipnusxnrppfn-efzloolgr4mmmdz emyt0ugambe=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Karla Sanchez, Google Maps

Location: 1 Padre Blvd South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 320 0556

Web Address:   https://newsofsouthpadre.com/christ-of-the-fishermen-statue/

14. Jesus Christ of the Fisherman Statue

4.7 ★★★★★ (310 reviews)

Af1qipp3utsofwzww4ncagbhp4q0pnkuca5wafxjzyte=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Lad, Google Maps

Location: South Padre Island TX

Web Address:   https://newsofsouthpadre.com/christ-of-the-fishermen-statue/

13. South Padre Island Farmers’ Market

4.4 ★★★★☆ (328 reviews)

Af1qipnczfzbyt0uxmlvilnkqc9etfav3zzwdikf2p k=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: T C, Google Maps

Location: 8605 Padre Blvd South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 761 0044

Web Address:   https://facebook.com/SouthPadreIslandFarmersMarket/

12. Cameron County Parks & Recreation

4.5 ★★★★★ (529 reviews)

Af1qiposwkingkqn8wwiihv-n k82ud6iiwgw2kt-btt=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Wendell Hickerson, Google Maps

Location: 33174 Streetate Park Road 100 South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 761 3700

11. Queen Isabella Memorial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (585 reviews)

Af1qipnitfzd mntwfadgbiwkewep19cpdmrifnu0me=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Glenn Hanna, Google Maps

Location: TX 100 San Benito TX

Tel:  501 456 7835

Web Address:   https://myspi.org/mobile/department/

10. Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier

4.5 ★★★★★ (1,301 reviews)

2984861097 03e7eab4d0

Credit: J. Stephen Conn, License, Flickr

Location: 501 E Maxan Street Port Isabel TX

Tel:  956 943 7437

Web Address:   https://piratespier.com/

Our Top picks

9. Sea Breeze 1

5.0 ★★★★★ (4 reviews)

Af1qipmvlpiouneulcqppgbzs05aedyak-hgfeajm2hr=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: E Romero, Google Maps

Location: 4300 Gulf Blvd South Padre Island TX

Web Address:   https://seabreeze1.net/

8. Laguna Madre Nature Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ (149 reviews)

Redhead duck 1

Credit: www.naturespicsonline.com, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 7355 Padre Blvd South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 761 3000

Web Address:   https://sopadre.com/listing/laguna-madre-nature-trail/1079/

7. Southern Wave Sailing Charters

4.7 ★★★★★ (243 reviews)

Af1qippcwggx3891fsbvemxegewgzyzc0iiq5vcqfnb9=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Southern Wave Sailing Charters, Google Maps

Location: 205 W Palm Street South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 772 7245

Web Address:   http://sailspi.com/

6. Andy Bowie County Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (1,068 reviews)

2965884892 c78c3c4aab

Credit: J. Stephen Conn, License, Flickr

Location: 7300 Streetate Park Road 100 South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 761 3704

Web Address:   http://cameroncounty.us/parks-coastal-parks/parks-andy-bowie/

5. Gravity Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (1,333 reviews)

Af1qippmfxaioxdbkr1awspt2kdwutmf0hhnu jstcg1=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Gravity Park, Google Maps

Location: 106 W Marlin Street South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 761 8588

Web Address:   http://gravitypark.squarespace.com/

4. Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site

4.6 ★★★★★ (1,396 reviews)

Location: 421 E Queen Isabella Blvd Port Isabel TX

Tel:  956 943 2262

Web Address:   https://portisabellighthouse.com/

3. South Padre Island Birding And Nature Center

4.8 ★★★★★ (1,724 reviews)

800px-reddish egret %2816521297037%29

Credit: Andy Reago Chrissy, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 6801 Padre Blvd South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 761 6801

Web Address:   http://spibirding.com/

2. Beach Park At Isla Blanca

4.2 ★★★★☆ (2,826 reviews)

Location: 33261 Streetate Park Road 100 South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 772 7873

Web Address:   https://beachparktx.com/

1. Sea Turtle, Inc.

4.7 ★★★★★ (4,688 reviews)

49971196473 c81137ec58 c

Credit: runarut, License, Flickr

Location: 6617 Padre Blvd South Padre Island TX

Tel:  956 761 4511

Web Address:   http://seaturtleinc.org/

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in South Padre Island, Texas! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

Join the TouristWire community

At TouristWire, our team works tirelessly to bring you the most comprehensive itineraries and reviews to help you plan your next trip. Don’t miss out, join our mailing list and our reviews delivered directly to your mailbox!

.