Best Things To Do in South Padre Island, Texas

Are you looking for what to do in South Padre Island?

  • Seat Turtle Inc.: A hospital with a mission to rehabilitate and release any injured sea turtles.
  • Dolphin Reserve and Sea Life Nature Centre: Touch tanks and sea excursions to see dolphins.
  • South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center: Over 3300 linear feet of boardwalk, 5 blinds, a five storey observation tower with spectacular views of Laguna Madre. If you’re a birdie, you cannot miss this in your vacation itinerary planner.
  • Whaling Wall: A magnificent mural that is spread across three sides of the South Padre Island’s convention centre’s walls from bottom to ceiling and is a breath-taking sight.
  • Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark: Is a great waterpark with a wide variety of rides for all ages and it also has an indoor park which is open all year round. 

Below we have a list of things to do in South Padre Island and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your South Padre Island getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to South Padre Island with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in South Padre Island

Here is the list of things to do in South Padre Island and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Sea Turtle, Inc

    4.7 (550 Votes)
    Sea Turtle, Inc

    Educational Site, Specialty Shop

    It would be a wise decision to visit the world renowned Sea Turtle, Inc on a visit to the South Padre island. It is an organisation formed for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sea turtles. It was formed in 1977 by Ila Fox Loetscher, better known as “The Turtle Lady of South Padre Island”. Sea Turtle, Inc was originally formed to aid in the protection and rehabilitation of t...Read more
  2. South Padre Island Birding And Nature Center

    Educational Site, Broadway

    South Padre Island is one of the leading birding hotspots in South Texas, and visitors hoping to witness extensive views of the island’s rich wetland habitats will be in for a treat on visiting the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. The South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center is a non-profit organization created by the Economic Development Corporation of the Town of South ...Read more
  3. Dolphin Research And Sea Life Nature Center

    Science Museum, Aquarium, Educational Site

    Located at Port Isabel, at the base of the bridge heading to South Padre Island, the Dolphin Research and Sea Life Nature Center is a non-profit that is out there with a mission to educate the public about the bottleneck dolphins native to the Gulf of Mexico and South Padre Island in addition to promoting public support for aquatic animals and birds in the area. They offer visitors an opportuni...Read more
  4. Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark

    Outdoors, Water Park, River, Leisure

    A waterpark where one can enjoy the thrills of water slides while on a beach, where one can go from one ride to another without stepping out of the water, where one can while away time in the ‘lazy river’ while waiting in line for ones turn on a ride, where kids and adults can have an equally good time, well, that’s Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark for you. The Schlitterbahn Beac...Read more
  5. South Padre Island Adventure Park

    Beach, Adventure, Bird Watching, Games

    The South Padre Island Adventure Park is 40 acres of land spanning from the Gulf of Mexico to the Laguna Madre Bay and it provides an unmatchable adventure filled experience on the beach. One can go horseback riding, rent ATVs, spend time with animals at their petting barn or even organise parties at the park. Horseback riding along the beach and the water’s edge is one of the most memora...Read more
  6. Whaling Wall

    4.4 (421 Votes)
    Whaling Wall

    Landmark, Walking Area

    There are several water related murals all over South Padre Island, but by far the best and the most popular one is the “Whale Wall” at the South Padre Island Convention Centre. The Whaling Wall is a magnificent mural that is spread across three sides of the convention centre’s walls from bottom to ceiling and is a breath-taking sight. The Whaling Wall is a part of the world r...Read more
  7. Skydive South Padre Island

    4.9 (291 Votes)
    Skydive South Padre Island

    Beach, Entertainment, Leisure, Sky Diving

    Challenge your courage by taking this leap of faith by jumping off a plane at an altitude of 11,000 feet. Skydive South Padre Island is one of the best places for skydiving thanks to the scenic view one gets while diving off the plane. With instructors who are world record holders or national champs and make over a thousand jumps each year, you know that rest assured, you are going to have a go...Read more
  8. South Padre Island Convention Centre

    Convention Center

    The South Padre Island Convention Centre is a 45,000 square-foot facility located in downtown South Padre Island, Texas. It can accommodate groups from 20 to 2,500 in size. Primary facilities include 22,500 square feet of exhibit hall space with a clear ceiling height of 36 feet for concerts, large meetings and sporting events; a 2,633 sq. ft. modern, media-oriented conference auditorium for 25...Read more
  9. Andy Bowie Park

    4.4 (184 Votes)
    Andy Bowie Park

    Beach, Park

    As one reaches this park, one can notice that the beach is about 600 feet from the high tide line separated by a 40 foot sand dune from the RV site. In the beach area, there are 2 pavilions with a concession stand during the peak seasons, with restrooms and showers. They are a bit dated, but one must remember that this is built directly adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, and Hurricane Alley. The R...Read more
  10. Queen Isabella State Fishing Pier

    Pier, Water Sport, Bird Watching

    The Queen Isabella State Fishing Pier is at the centre of a one-acre park that lies at one end of the Queen Isabella Causeway. The causeway has always been of great economic importance to South Padre Island as it is the only road connecting the island to the mainland. There are many eateries from where one can grab something to eat or drink around the pier. Tourists love visiting the pier as it...Read more
  11. Paragraphs On Padre Boulevard

    Beach, Leisure, Boulevard , Games

    Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard is a full-service, general interest, independent bookstore that was started in 2009 and is owned and operated by Joni Montover and Griff Mangan. The store has a comprehensive selection of new and used books that are personally selected by the owners. The people at the store take pride in helping one find something that would satisfy any reader at a price they can a...Read more
  12. Air Padre

    4.9 (129 Votes)
    Air Padre

    Water Sport

    Formerly a Kiteboarding school, Air Padre has grown to offer lessons, rentals, and equipment in a wide range of watersports including: kiteboarding, surfing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and wakeboarding at their storefront located on South Padre Island. Air Padre was founded in 2003 and has grown in popularity and services over the years. For those who would like to remain...Read more
  13. Ramada Hotel & Suites South Padre Island

    Hotel, Resort

    The Ramada Hotel & Suites South Padre Island is situated inside a low-rise building and is just about 5-minutes away from the beach. Situated at a very convenient location, the hotel is a popular choice among vacationers. The rooms here are spacious and all of them as well as the suites come equipped with pull-out sofas, desks, microwaves, coffeemakers, minifridges and free Wi-Fi. A few of ...Read more
  14. The Tiki

    4.1 (10 Votes)
    The Tiki
    The Tiki Condominiums is a 3 storeys condominium where you can reserve your accommodation while you are in South Padre Island. It houses a beach facing shower facility. It has two heated pools where you can relax your muscles.It houses four double BBQ areas where you can organize BBQs. The condos which are offered to the guests are equipped with patio and private balconies. It gives access to t...Read more
  15. Beachside Inn

    Hotel

    The Best Western Beachside Inn is the perfect hotel to stay at if you are on a budget. Situated just a block away from South Padre Island beach, this hotel offers all the basic amenities that one would require to enjoy a comfortable stay. All the spacious rooms come equipped with flat-screen TV’s, minifridges, coffeemakers, microwaves as well as free Wi-Fi. The upgraded rooms offer sofa b...Read more

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