Things to Do in South Padre Island: A Local's Guide to the Best Activities

Dolphin watch cruises are one of the most popular family-friendly activities on the island. You are almost guaranteed to see dolphins.

• Hundreds of bottlenose dolphins live in Laguna Madre
• Tours run year-round
• Some companies offer covered seating
• BYOB drinks allowed on board

The Laguna Madre is home to hundreds of bottlenose dolphins. That means you are almost guaranteed to see them on any cruise. Several companies run tours, including The Original Dolphin Watch and Osprey Cruises. The boats depart from near Isla Blanca Park. Try to arrive early to get a seat under cover - the uncovered seating bakes you in the Texas sun. You can bring your own drinks aboard. During the tour you'll also learn that the Laguna Madre is one of just six hypersaline lagoons in the world. That means it's saltier than the ocean. Tours last about an hour. If you want something different at night, check out the pirate ship cruise from Osprey Cruises that includes fireworks.

Parasailing gives you a bird's-eye view of the island and the Laguna. It's the right amount of adventure for most people.

• Tandem parasailing available
• See the island and Laguna Madre from above
• Sonny's Beach Service offers convenient resort pickup
• Spectator rides available for those who stay on the boat

Several beach service companies offer parasailing on South Padre. Sonny's Beach Service has a booth right on the property of some resorts, so you don't need to shuttle anywhere. You can do tandem parasailing with a friend or partner. The views from the air are stunning - you see the Gulf on one side and the Laguna on the other. SPI Excursions is another popular company that offers the same service. If you are not up for flying, you can just ride in the boat as a spectator. The experience lasts about 10-15 minutes in the air, plus boat time. It's a thrill without being too extreme.

Horseback riding along the beach is one of the most memorable things you can do on South Padre. The 90-minute tour takes you through dunes and along the surf.

• 90-minute guided ride along the beach and dunes
• Prior riding experience not required
• Minimum age is 6 years old
• Sunrise, sunset, and moonlight ride options

Island Adventure Park offers guided horseback rides on the beach. You drive out to the park on State Park Road 100, a road surrounded by sand dunes. Once there, the guides match you with a horse based on your experience. The ride lasts about 90 minutes and goes along the quiet beach and up into the dunes. It's suitable for the whole family - prior riding experience is not required. The minimum age is 6. There are also sunrise, sunset, and moonlight ride options. Beyond horseback, the park has ziplines, a petting barn, and pony rides for younger kids. I loved the horses and the feeling of the wind off the Gulf.

The Laguna Madre Nature Trail is a 1,500-foot boardwalk through coastal marshland. It's a peaceful spot for a sunset walk.

• 1,500-foot boardwalk over four acres of marshland
• Free and pet-friendly
• Excellent birdwatching opportunities
• One of the best spots for sunset over the Laguna Madre

The trail is located right next to the South Padre Island Convention Center on Padre Boulevard. The boardwalk criss-crosses marshland and offers views of the Laguna Madre. It's a free, pet-friendly trail that is great for birdwatching. You can spot many different bird species, especially during fall migration. The Laguna Madre itself is a hypersaline lagoon - one of only six in the world. Sunsets here are stunning, with the orange light reflecting off the calm water. The walk is short and easy, suitable for all ages. We saw reddish egrets and laughing gulls during our visit. It's a quiet alternative to the beach crowds.