10 Reasons Families Should Visit South Padre Island

South Padre Island invites visitors planning family travel to enjoy a weekend filled with sailing, snorkeling, horseback riding, dolphin watching and more. Located off the tip of Texas, the island consists of more than 34 miles of white beaches, making it the perfect destination for any family looking for a weekend away.

Here are 10 reasons families should visit South Padre Island:

© South Padre Island

Dolphin Tours

Choose from several companies like Breakaway Cruises and The Original Dolphin Watch to witness dolphins surfacing. The Original Dolphin Watch takes guests to Laguna Madre Bay, the year-round home to several large pods of dolphins. Many of the dolphin tour boats also include an eco-tour portion where a small net drags along the bottom of the bay to collect a sample of marine life to educate guests on other species living in the region.

Birding

South Padre Island boasts one of the premier destinations for birding in the Rio Grande Valley. The South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary allows guests to observe birds and butterflies during their migration period. Guests can also see alligators, including Big Padre, the resident American Alligator, at the sanctuary.

Vacation Rentals

With more than 90 companies offering a variety of family-friendly rental properties, guests can choose from properties close to the beach, as well as rentals with a specific floorplan for every kind of travel.

Sea Turtle Inc.

Families must visit Sea Turtle Inc., a rehabilitation and rescue center for sea turtles. Sea Turtle Inc. takes in injured sea turtles and nurses them back to health before releasing them. The center educates visitors on the life of a sea turtle and helps with conservation efforts for all marine turtle species. Open year-round, families can enjoy daily “turtle talks” and turtle feedings. Families also have the opportunity to adopt a hatchling, sea turtle nest or sponsor a current resident.

Hotels, Inns and Resorts

South Padre Island consists of more than 30 different hotels, inns and resorts. Visitors can choose from properties offering maid service, on-site restaurants and other amenities.

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Beach Park at Isla Blanca

Beach Park will feature fun water attractions for all ages such as waterslides, splash pads, beaches, a lazy river and Surf Rider. Slated to open Easter weekend, Beach Park will also offer a variety of dining options and private cabanas.

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Head to The South Padre Island Adventure Park to go horseback riding on the beach. The site offers several options for horseback riding, including a Family Favorite ride, ideal for families with younger kids (6 years and older). Guests can also opt for longer rides to see the sunset or trek along the beach under the moonlight.

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The Beach

The only tropical oasis in Texas, South Padre Island’s 34 miles of white sandy beaches and emerald waters are accessible with 22 free public beach accesses. Some of these accesses also allow cars. On the northern side of the island, witness some of the island’s great sand dunes.

Fishing

The island offers a number of piers and jetties for visitors looking for a fun fishing experience. A hot spot for anglers, visitors flock to South Padre Island for all sorts of fishing, from kayak fishing to boat fishing. The island also hosts some fishing tournaments like the Texas International Fishing Tournament and Ladies Kingfish Tournament.

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Sandcastles

Known as the Sandcastle Capital of the World, South Padre Island is home to the largest outdoor sandcastle in the United States. Guests can walk through Sandcastle Trail to see the unique collection of 30 castles sculpted by professional sand artists. Families can try their hand at making a sandcastle by taking park in Sandcastle Sculpting lessons. In October, visitors are invited to attend the annual Sand Castle Days.