I grabbed a cheap coffee from a gas station on Padre Boulevard and walked straight to the beach just after sunrise. If you are building a list of the best things to do in South Padre Island, you will find that the island offers a surprising amount of depth beyond the spring break headlines. Sea Turtle Inc., horseback rides through the dunes, and sunset walks on the Laguna Madre Nature Trail all make for a solid weekend trip. The resorts are comfortable, the water is warm, and the whole place runs at a relaxed pace. You can easily spend three days here without repeating a single activity.
- Best time
- Fall and late summer offer the best weather with smaller crowds. Spring break is very busy, but the island has warm weather year-round.
- Where to stay
- I would stay on the south end near Margaritaville or the Hilton Garden Inn for easy beach access. The Courtyard by Marriott is another solid family option.
- Perfect for
- Families with kids * Couples seeking relaxation * Spring break groups
- Don't miss
- A morning at Sea Turtle Inc., the world's largest enclosed sea turtle hospital. Admission is $15.
Things I'd Tell a Friend
Here is what I wish someone had told me before my first trip to the island.
Rent a golf cart
The island is easy to navigate, but driving on the beach is restricted to specific access points. Golf cart rentals are available on almost every block, and the Island Metro Shuttle offers free rides along the main road. Driving the full length of State Park Road 100 gives you a good look at the dunes.
Source · Local tip
Stock up in Port Isabel
There is a Walmart Supercenter and an H-E-B in Port Isabel, the town you drive through to get onto the island. Grabbing drinks and snacks there will save you a lot of money. Restaurants on the island are good, but they add up fast.
Source · Checked this myself
Pack for the sun and wind
The afternoon wind on the Laguna Madre is strong. Paddleboarding early in the morning is better. Sunscreen is essential here, and a long-sleeve shirt helps against the sun and the breeze.
Source · Personal experience
Sea Turtle Inc.
A nonprofit facility on the Laguna Madre that rescues and rehabilitates injured sea turtles. It is one of the top attractions on the island.
- World's largest enclosed sea turtle hospital
- Meet resident turtles like Cowgirl and Poppy
- Educational Turtle Talks
- Open-air facility with a beachy vibe
Sea Turtle Inc. sits right on the Laguna Madre and has been rescuing turtles since 1977, when it was founded by Ila Loetscher-known locally as the Turtle Lady. Inside, you can see turtles recovering from boat strikes and amputations in large shaded tanks. The facility is open-air, which gives it a breezy, beachy feel. Adult admission is $15. A famous former resident, Allison the turtle, used a prosthesis.
Admission and hours
Adult admission is $15. The facility is open-air and located just south of the Birding and Nature Center.
The permanent residents
Some turtles are permanent residents because of missing flippers or other disabilities. Read the stories posted outside their tanks.
Getting to Sea Turtle Inc.
It is located on the Laguna Madre, a short drive south of the main hotel strip on State Park Road 100.
Go early before the crowds show up, the tanks are easier to see when it is quiet.
The Hilton Garden Inn and Margaritaville Resort are both within a ten-minute drive of the turtle center.
Sand Rose Beach Resort
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Beachfront
- Private Parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Restaurant
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
Holiday Inn Express Hotel And Suites South Padre Island By Ihg
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free parking
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Fitness center
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Very Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Island Adventure Park
The main draw here is the 90-minute guided horseback ride along the beach and into the dunes. The park also has ziplines and a petting barn.
- Guided 90-minute beach ride
- Horses matched to your skill level
- Suitable for families (minimum age 6)
- Ziplines and petting barn available
Getting to the park requires a drive down South Padre Road 100, which cuts through dunes that already set the mood. Once there, you are paired with a horse based on your experience. The ride follows the quiet beach and climbs into the dunes. No prior riding experience is required, which makes it a good pick for beginners or a family group. The whole experience lasts about an hour and a half. The park also has ziplines and a petting barn if you want to stick around afterward.
Go for a morning ride
The morning is the best time to go because the sun is not too strong and the beach is quiet. The ride lasts 90 minutes.
Minimum age and experience
The minimum age to ride is 6 years old. No previous riding experience is necessary, the guides match you with a suitable horse.
Located on Park Road 100
The address is 21040 State Park Road 100. The drive itself is scenic, passing through sand dunes.
Book the first slot of the day, the sand is cooler and the beach is much emptier.
Laguna Madre Nature Trail
A 1500-foot boardwalk that winds through 4 acres of coastal marshland near the Convention Center. It is free and allows dogs.
- 1500-foot boardwalk over the marsh
- Great birdwatching spot
- Free and pet-friendly
- Adjacent to the Convention Center
If you want a break from the sand, this boardwalk gives you a different side of the island. It criss-crosses the marsh and offers good views of the Laguna Madre. Bird species are common here, and the sunset over the bay is a reliable show. The trailhead is at 7355 Padre Boulevard right next to the Convention Center. It is one of the best free things to do on South Padre Island. It is also pet-friendly.
Sunset is the best time to visit
The boardwalk faces the Laguna Madre, making it a perfect spot to watch the sun go down. It is quiet and peaceful in the evening.
Length and amenities
The boardwalk is 1500 feet long and covers 4 acres. There are no food stalls on the trail itself.
Located on Padre Boulevard
The trailhead is at 7355 Padre Boulevard, adjacent to the South Padre Island Convention Center.
Come at sunset, the light over the lagoon makes the whole walk worth it.
The trail is centrally located near the Convention Center, making it accessible from any hotel on the main strip.
La Copa Inn Beach Hotel
- 3 swimming pools
- Beachfront
- Private Parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Bar
- Private beach area
- Very Good Breakfast
Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Beachfront
- Private Parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Spa and wellness center
- 3 restaurants
- Bar
- Excellent Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Parasailing
A tandem parasail gives you an unmatched view of the island and the surrounding waters. It is the right balance of adventure and ease.
- Tandem option available
- Great aerial views of the Laguna Madre
- Operated by Sonny's Beach Service and SPI Excursions
- Shared experience with a friend
Parasailing on South Padre is a popular water activity. Both Sonny's Beach Service and SPI Excursions offer trips. The tandem option means you can go up with a partner. The ride is smooth, and the views of the coastline and the Laguna are impressive. It is a solid way to break up a day on the beach without needing a ton of athletic skill.
Book through your resort
Many resorts, like the Margaritaville, have a Sonny's Beach Service booth on the property. You can book directly without shuttling to a different spot.
Spectators are welcome
You can ride along on the boat as a spectator if parasailing is not your thing. The boat ride alone is scenic.
Do the tandem, it is more fun to share the view than to sit on the boat waiting.
The Hilton Garden Inn and the Margaritaville both have direct beach access where services like parasailing can be arranged.
Best Western Beachside Inn
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Fitness center
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Very Good Breakfast
Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront
- Pool – outdoor (kids)
- Beachfront
- Private Parking
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Restaurant
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Bar
- Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Dolphin Watch Cruise
A family-friendly boat tour that specifically targets the large population of bottlenose dolphins living in the Laguna Madre. It is practically a guaranteed sighting.
- Hundreds of resident bottlenose dolphins
- High sighting success rate
- Runs via Osprey Cruises
- Learn about the hypersaline lagoon
The Laguna Madre is home to hundreds of bottlenose dolphins, which means your cruise does not have to go far offshore. Osprey Cruises is one of the main operators, and they also offer a Pirate Ship cruise with fireworks for families. The boats have covered and uncovered seating. Arriving early helps you grab a spot in the shade because the sun can be intense. The tour is a staple for families looking for things to do in South Padre. The Laguna Madre is one of only six hypersaline lagoons in the world.
Tour times and duration
Tours run multiple times a day. The covered seating fills up fast. You can bring your own drinks aboard.
Departs from State Park Road 100
The tour docks at 33256 State Park Road 100 on the Laguna Madre side of the island.
Arrive early to grab covered seating, the sun on the water side is strong even with sunscreen.
Isla Blanca Beach
Widely considered the best stretch of sand on the Texas coast. It has soft white sand, clear water, and a full set of facilities.
- Soft white sand and clear waters
- $10 vehicle entry fee
- Showers, picnic areas, and RV park
- Adjacent to the SPI Jetties and waterpark
Isla Blanca Beach is located inside Isla Blanca Park. You pay around $10 per vehicle to drive in, and once inside you have access to a wide beach, shaded pavilions, showers, and restrooms. The park also hosts a massive 600-space RV park and a boat ramp. The Beach Park waterpark is right there too. The SPI Jetties are at the southern tip of the beach, a prime fishing spot where people catch snapper and redfish. There are 25 public beach access points along Gulf Boulevard, but only Access 5 and 6 allow driving on the sand.
Beach access costs
Driving into Isla Blanca Park costs about $10 per vehicle. Access points 5 and 6 are the only free ones that allow driving on the sand.
Combine with the Jetties
The South Padre Island Jetties are right in the park. Walk out on the rocks for a view of the bay and possibly watch a SpaceX launch from the nearby Boca Chica facility.
Full facilities available
The park has showers, restrooms, picnic tables, and an RV park. It is the most developed beach on the island.
Pay the entry fee and park your car, the facilities here are better than any free beach access.
The Margaritaville Resort is less than five minutes from the park entrance, making it a convenient home base for beach days.
Isla Grand Beach Resort
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Beachfront
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- 4 restaurants
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Fitness center
- Bar
Padre South Hotel On The Beach
- 3 swimming pools
- Beachfront
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Private beach area
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
What are the best things to do on South Padre Island for families?
Families enjoy the dolphin watch cruise with Osprey Cruises, the horseback riding at Island Adventure Park, and Sea Turtle Inc. The waterpark at Isla Blanca Beach is also very popular with kids.
How much does it cost to get into Isla Blanca Beach?
Driving into Isla Blanca Park costs about $10 per vehicle. You get access to a wide beach with soft white sand, showers, picnic areas, and restrooms.
Are there free things to do on South Padre Island?
Yes, the Laguna Madre Nature Trail is a free 1500-foot boardwalk that is perfect for birdwatching and sunset walks. Walking the beach at sunrise is another great free activity.
Is South Padre Island only for spring break?
No. The island is a year-round destination. Fall and late summer are great times to visit with smaller crowds. The activities are suitable for families, couples, and solo travelers.
How long is the horseback riding tour at Island Adventure Park?
The guided ride lasts around 90 minutes and goes along the beach and into the dunes. Minimum age is 6, and no riding experience is necessary.
Where is the Laguna Madre Nature Trail located?
The trailhead is at 7355 Padre Boulevard, right next to the South Padre Island Convention Center. It is centrally located on the island.
