Pack your bags and head to the Texas Gulf Shore for an unforgettable family-fun adventure!
South Padre Island’s location on the tropical tip of Texas, provides an ideal beach getaway that draws families and visitors of all ages from all over the country. The Island is easy to get to, provides ample lodging, and boasts a variety of family-friendly activities for adventurers of all ages. Here are a few tips to get your family ready to discover all the Island offers:
1. Plan ahead for travel by land or air
Also known as the “Great Texas Road Trip,” traveling to the island is a breeze! By land, the island is 531 miles from Dallas, 367 miles from Houston, 667 miles from Mexico City, and 225 miles from Monterrey. By air, three airports in the Rio Grande Valley provide access to the island including Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, Valley International Airport, and McAllen International Airport.
2. Book your home away from home – lodging galore
The island offers more than 5,000 guest rooms and vacation rental units. Lodging options include full-service resort hotels, motels, condominiums, beach houses, and bed and breakfasts. Public and private campgrounds are also available.
3. Get out on the water – windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and kiteboarding
Consistent winds averaging 18 miles per hour make South Padre Island an ideal setting for both windsurfing and kiteboarding. With a water depth of approximately three feet, the waters of the Laguna Madre Bay on the Island’s western shore make an ideal, beginner-friendly training ground while also offering great conditions for more experienced enthusiasts. In addition, “backcountry” windsurfing and kiteboarding is an option on the Island’s undeveloped northern beaches.
4. Book a sandcastle lesson
Book a sandcastle lesson with one of our many talented Master Sand Sculptors to learn the building basics up to advanced sculpting skills. As the Sandcastle Capital of the World, your lesson will be second to none and the experience unforgettable.
5. Hook a fish. Then, cook your catch!
On South Padre Island, fishing is serious business. No matter your interest – bay fishing, surf-casting, or deep-sea fishing – the island boasts excellent fishing excursions for novices and experts alike. Bring your own boat, book a charter, jump in the ocean, or cast your line off the jetties pier.
After a long day of fishing, experience the unique flavors of South Padre Island at one of more than 20 local spots. At least a dozen restaurants will prepare your catch into a dish of your liking – grilled, blackened, fried – you name it! Casual, take-out, fine dining, and beach and bayside views – island eateries have it all.
