South Padre Island Area Activities
Get wet at one of the top water parks in the country. Schlitterbahn Beach
has water slides and rides for visitors of all ages and also features
restaurants and evening entertainment.
Breakaway Cruises of South Padre Island offers dolphin watches, sunset
cruises, fireworks cruises, snorkel trips, and more to make your South Padre
Island vacation complete.
How can you be surrounded by water and not want to go fishing? South Padre
Island boasts some of the nation's top inshore and offshore sport fishing.
American Diving offers a wide array of diving and snorkeling expeditions in
the clear Gulf waters surrounding South Padre Island.
With miles of shallow, calm water in the Lower Laguna Madre and strong winds
coming off the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre Island is a windsurfer's dream.
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South Padre Island Golf Club winds along the placid Laguna Madre bay
with spectacular views of the Island. It's no wonder that it was selected as one
of the Top 20 news courses in America by Golf Magazine when it opened in 1997.
Each hole offers unexpected challenges just minutes from South Padre Island in
Laguna Vista. The 18-hole, par 72 course is complemented by a 385-yard driving
range, putting and chipping greens, pro shop and clubhouse. Call 956-943-5678
for tee times.
South Padre Island's Sea Turtle, Inc. is dedicated to rescuing and
rehabilitating sea turtles, particularly the endangered Kemp's Ridley. Sea
Turtle, Inc. also offers education tours, giving visitors an up-close look
at these magnificent creatures.
Fins 2 Feathers Cruises of South Padre Island offers a variety of private
sunset, dolphin watch and bird watching cruises and activities.
Located in Port Isabel, one of the oldest towns in Texas, the Point Isabel
Lighthouse served mariners along the Lower Texas Coast throughout the Civil
War and into the 1900s.
More info below on various activities
Tennis
South Padre Island's sunny days make for perfect play - regardless of your skill
level. All of the major hotels and condominiums feature tennis courts which are
available to their guests. The staff at the South Padre Island Visitors Center
(1-800-767-2373) can also offer suggestions on private and group lessons.
Fishing
With so many state and world records set in our bay and gulf waters, South Padre
Island has a world class reputation among fishermen. Half day and full day trips
in the Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico cost as little as $14 or as much
as $1000, depending on your prowess, your pocketbook, and how far offshore you
venture. The list of species is as long as the gulf is deep: whiting, drum,
flounder, trout, redfish, kingfish, Wahoo, tuna, marlin, and sailfish are a few.
A convenient way to check on conditions and to find out more about booking a
trip is to contact Jim's Pier (956-761-2865), Fisherman's Wharf (956-761-7818),
Sea Ranch Marina (956-761-5493), Fish Tales (956) 943-3185, Deep Sea Fishing
"Osprey" & "Osprey II" 956-761-6655.
Windsurfing
The Laguna Madre Bay separates South Padre Island from the Texas mainland and
is recognized as one of the world's top windsurfing destinations. The sailing
season off South Padre runs from September through May. Water depth varies from
three to five feet, daytime winds average 18 mph, and the average yearly
temperature is in the 70's.
Novices and pros come to sail the bay, the Jetties, Boca Chica, and the
Ditch, site of some of the fastest windsurfing speeds in North America. For
complete information on conditions, accommodations, equipment, and rentals,
contact Windsurf Inc. on the Bay (956-761-1434 or 1-800-880-5423) or Windsurf
the Boatyard (956-761-5061).
Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding is fast becoming the hottest new water sport and South Padre
Island offers year-round, world-class Kiteboarding conditions. consistent winds
offer beginner to expert riders near perfect flat-water conditions to hone their
skills. Advanced skateboarders will enjoy riding the Laguna Madre and the waves
of the Gulf of Mexico. Experienced, certified instructors are available to teach
you about this exciting sport. For the fun of it call South Padre Kiteboarding
(956)761-1434 or 1-800-880-5423, South Padre Island Kiteboarding, Inc.
(956)245-8343, or WorldKites.com (956)778-2380.
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