Things to Do in South Padre Island Today: Top SPI Attractions for Families

This nonprofit rescue hospital on the Laguna Madre has been saving sea turtles since 1977.

• World's largest enclosed sea turtle hospital
• See rescued turtles like Cowgirl and Poppy up close
• Educational Turtle Talks offered daily
• Open-air facility with a beachy feel

Sea Turtle Inc. was founded by Ila Loetscher, known as the "Turtle Lady." Today it rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured sea turtles. You can walk through the world's largest enclosed sea turtle hospital and read the stories of permanent residents like Allison the turtle (who used a prosthesis before passing in 2023) and Poppy the loggerhead. The water tanks are shaded but the whole place is open-air, so it feels light and airy. Adult admission is $15. The facility is located just south of the birding center on the Laguna Madre. It is one of the top South Padre Island attractions for anyone who cares about marine life. I spent about an hour here and learned a lot about boat strikes and congenital disabilities that bring turtles in.

A guided horseback ride along the beach and dunes is one of the most popular South Padre Island activities.

• 90-minute guided ride on the beach and dunes
• Suitable for beginners; minimum age 6
• Horses matched to your experience level
• Sunrise, sunset, and moonlight ride options

Island Adventure Park is located off State Park Road 100, a road surrounded by sand dunes. The riding tour lasts about 90 minutes and takes you along the quiet beach and up into the dunes. The guides will match you with a horse that fits your riding experience. Prior riding experience is not required, making it suitable for the whole family. The park also offers ziplines, a petting barn, and pony rides for younger kids. If you want a truly memorable experience, book a sunrise or moonlight ride - the beach at dawn is almost empty. I did this myself and it was one of my favorite activities on SPI. Note that the park is a bit outside of town, so you'll need to drive.

Hundreds of bottlenose dolphins live in the Laguna Madre, so a dolphin cruise is nearly guaranteed to deliver sightings.

• See wild bottlenose dolphins up close
• Hypersaline lagoon - one of only six in the world
• Family-friendly, BYO drinks allowed
• Covered and uncovered seating on the boat

The Laguna Madre is home to hundreds of bottlenose dolphins, and it is one of just six hypersaline lagoons in the world. Several companies offer dolphin-watching cruises; the one we went with was Osprey Cruises. The tour lasts about a couple of hours. You can bring your own drinks aboard. The boat has covered seating and uncovered seating - we almost missed the boat and ended up in the uncovered section. The sun was brutal, so bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat. The original dolphin watch company has great reviews and offers eco-adventure tours that include dolphin watching. We saw several dolphins during our tour, and the captain gave interesting facts about the lagoon's unique salt levels. This is one of the best things to do in South Padre Island for families.

Soar above the Gulf of Mexico for a bird's-eye view of the island and a good adrenaline rush.

• Tandem parasailing option available
• See the island and Laguna from above
• No experience needed - just sit back and enjoy the ride
• Spectator option: ride the boat without parasailing

Parasailing on South Padre Island is a fun, family-friendly activity. You can go tandem with a friend, which I found more fun than solo since you can share the excitement. The views from up in the air are amazing - you can see the whole island and the Laguna Madre stretching out below. Several companies offer this, including Sonny's Beach Service which has a booth right on the property of some resorts. That makes it very convenient because you don't have to shuttle to a different loading spot. SPI Excursions is another popular option. The ride lasts about 10-15 minutes in the air, but the whole trip takes about an hour. You can also just ride in the boat as a spectator if you don't want to fly.

A short, peaceful boardwalk over marshland that is perfect for birdwatching and sunset views.

• 1,500-foot boardwalk through coastal marsh
• Free and pet-friendly
• One of the world's few hypersaline lagoons
• Excellent spot for bird species like sanderlings and reddish egrets

The Laguna Madre Nature Trail is located near the South Padre Island Convention Center at 7355 Padre Blvd. The boardwalk winds through four acres of coastal marshland and offers a quiet escape from the beach crowds. It is a free, pet-friendly trail. Because the Laguna Madre is one of just six hypersaline lagoons on earth, the water is saltier than the ocean. This unique environment attracts many bird species. I walked the trail in the late afternoon and saw sanderlings, laughing gulls, and brown pelicans. The boardwalk has benches where you can sit and watch the sunset over the bay. It's a great activity if you want a break from sand and salt water.

A beachside waterpark with soft white sand, clear water, and a huge RV park - perfect for a full day of fun.

• Soft white sand and clear water on the Gulf
• Waterpark with slides and pools
• Bring your own food and drinks (small fee for cooler)
• Cabana rentals available for a private base

Beach Park at Isla Blanca is located inside Isla Blanca Park on the south end of the island. You pay about $10 per vehicle to enter the park, then you have access to the beach and waterpark. The waterpark is small child-friendly with lots for younger kids. You can bring your own food and drinks; there is a small fee if you bring a cooler with ice. We rented a cabana for the day to have a private place to eat and relax, and it was worth the cost. The park also has a massive RV park with 600 spaces, plus showers and picnic areas. The beach here is considered the best along the Texas coast - soft sand and clear water. If you are looking for things to do in South Padre Island today with kids, this is a top pick.