Frequently Asked Questions

A: With three nearby airports in Harlingen, Brownsville and McAllen, getting to South Padre Island is easy. You can also drive and even arrive by boat.

A: South Padre Island is about 45 minutes from the Harlingen Airport, about 30 minutes from the Brownsville Airport and an hour and a half from McAllen.

A: Bring anything you need to make your South Padre Island getaway unforgettable. We recommend bringing sunblock, a bathing suit, towel, hat, flip flops, a plastic baggie (with a zipper) for your camera and phone, a beach bag and a pair of sunglasses. Most beach essentials can be purchased on the Island.

A: There are plenty of fun activities for people of all ages to experience. Please visit “Things to Do” for a list of activities to do on and off the beach.

A: No. South Padre Island provides a free public transportation system called the Island Metro or you can take a taxi. The Island is also easily walkable and bike-friendly. You can rent bikes from various locations around the Island.

A: The City of South Padre Island offers Mobi-Chairs, amphibious wheelchairs that can be used on the beach and in the water. After purchasing Mobi-Chairs, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson declared South Padre Island beaches the most accessible in Texas. To get a Mobi-Chair please contact the South Padre Island Fire Department at 956-761-3040.

A: A South Padre Island tradition, fireworks are scheduled every Thursday and Friday night over the Laguna Madre Bay and every Friday and Saturday night over the Gulf of Mexico during the summer months.

A: With more than 50 full-service restaurants, South Padre Island offers something for everyone’s taste and budget.

A: While not on the Island, the South Padre Island Golf Club is located a short drive away in Laguna Vista.

A: Weather is one of the major attractions for people visiting and living on South Padre Island. Enjoying a nice walk on the beach in the middle of winter in a short sleeve shirt and shorts is a common indulgence. And during the summer, a constant ocean breeze makes even the hottest of days enjoyable.