Things to Do in South Padre Island in February

A rescue center where injured sea turtles heal, and some permanent residents stay for good.

• Nonprofit rescue and rehabilitation center on the Laguna Madre
• See rehab turtles plus residents that can't be released
• Educational presentations and conservation talks
• Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with morning feedings

Sea Turtle Inc. is a sea turtle rescue center sitting right on the Laguna Madre. The nonprofit rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured sea turtles, protects their eggs, and sends hatchlings back into the wild. When you visit, you can see turtles that are still in rehab and a few permanent residents that can't go back out because of amputations and other disabilities. Allison, a turtle who used a prosthesis, lived here until she passed away in 2023. Visiting Sea Turtle Inc. works for kids and adults who want to learn more about sea turtles. It's one of the top South Padre Island attractions for a reason. You can attend an educational presentation, watch the turtles in their tanks, and learn about conservation efforts. Hours run daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feeding times usually happen in the morning, which makes the visit more interactive. Check their website for special events like turtle releases.

Free, open all day, and full of birds - this boardwalk is the easiest win on the island.

• Free 1,500-foot boardwalk through marshland
• Great birdwatching plus butterflies and wildlife
• Tucked near the South Padre Island Convention Center
• Open 24/7; sunrise and sunset are the best times

If you want a nice walk that doesn't include sand, head over to the Laguna Madre Nature Trail near the South Padre Island Convention Center. This 1,500-foot boardwalk criss-crosses marshland right beside the Laguna Madre. It's a great place to spot lots of different bird species. You'll also see butterflies and other wildlife, and it's an incredibly peaceful place for a walk. Completely free and open 24/7, this trail is one of the best free things to do on South Padre Island. Sunrise and sunset are the best times for photography and wildlife activity. Bring binoculars if you want a closer look, and pack bug spray during the warmer months. February mornings on the trail are mild, and the light is good before the day warms up.

Hundreds of bottlenose dolphins live right in the Laguna Madre, so the odds are on your side.

• Almost guaranteed dolphin sightings
• Hundreds of bottlenose dolphins call the lagoon home
• Operators include Osprey, Breakaway, and Isla Tours
• Morning and late afternoon tours give the best chances

A dolphin watching cruise is one of the most popular family-friendly activities on South Padre Island. You don't have to go far at all, since hundreds of bottlenose dolphins call the Laguna Madre home. On some dolphin tours in other places, you might never see a dolphin. That does not happen here - sightings are almost guaranteed, which makes the cruise great value. While out with Osprey Cruises, we learned the Laguna Madre is one of just six hypersaline lagoons in the world, meaning it's saltier than the ocean. Other popular providers include Breakaway Cruises and Isla Tours. Book a morning or late afternoon tour for cooler weather and better chances of spotting dolphins. Bring a hat and sunscreen, because that Gulf Coast sun is strong even on overcast days. In winter, you can also watch dolphins from the shore in the distance, but the cruise gets you up close.

Horseback riding on the beach happens at exactly one place here: Island Adventure Park.

• 90-minute ride along the beach and up into the dunes
• No experience needed; minimum age is 6
• Also offers zip-lining, a petting zoo, and ATV rides
• Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with bundle deals

To get to Island Adventure Park, you leave town and drive down South Padre Road 100, a road surrounded on both sides by sand dunes, which is pretty cool in itself. Once you're there, you get paired with a horse that fits your riding experience, and you're ready to ride in no time. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and takes you along the quiet beach and up into the dunes. No prior riding experience is required, and the minimum age is 6, so it works for the whole family. Sunset rides are especially picturesque, so wear long pants and closed-toe shoes out on the sand. The park opens daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beyond the horses, there's zip-lining, a petting zoo, and ATV rides. If you want to do several activities, bundle them and you'll get discounted rates.

Catch your lunch in the Laguna Madre and let a restaurant cook it for you.

• Trout, redfish, and snapper in the bay
• Pier, deep-sea, and bay fishing year-round
• Restaurants like The Grille at Jim's Pier cook your catch
• Texas Saltwater Fishing License required

For the fishermen and women among you, South Padre Island offers many chances to fish for trout and redfish in the Laguna Madre. Snapper is another common catch, and options run from pier fishing to deep-sea charters to bay fishing, all year-round. Go out in the morning and you can bring your catch back, clean it, and take it to a restaurant to get it cooked up for lunch. Restaurants will cook your catch for lunch - The Grille at Jim's Pier did exactly that for us, and it doesn't get much fresher. In Port Isabel, just before you cross the Causeway to the island, Pirate's Landing Fishing Pier gives you easy access without a boat. You can also book a bay fishing group tour or a private fishing tour for your family. In the South Padre Island winter months, fishing is one of the classic off-season activities here, right alongside golfing and watching dolphins from the shore. One thing to sort before you go: a valid Texas Saltwater Fishing License. You can get one online in advance from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Wetland boardwalks, more than 300 bird species, and an alligator sanctuary under one stop.

• Boardwalks through wetlands with 300+ bird species
• Alligator sanctuary with safe viewing
• Open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Spring and fall migration bring the best sightings

The South Padre Island Birding Center gives you wetland boardwalks and an alligator sanctuary in one stop. The trails wind through habitat that draws more than 300 species of birds, so birdwatchers get plenty to look for. The alligator sanctuary offers safe viewing of these reptiles, which surprises most first-timers on a beach island. Hours run daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., which makes it an easy morning stop. Bring binoculars for better birdwatching. If you can plan around migration seasons in spring and fall, you'll get the best sightings of the year. The center also has a sandcastle sculpture on site, one of the 30-plus scattered around the island.