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South Padre Island

Trip Planner : USA / Texas / Texas Gulf Coast / South Padre Island

Wildlife Adventure Theme Parks

A vibrant resort town, South Padre Island sits on a barrier island of the same name, located just off the Texas Gulf Coast. Long a favored spring break destination for college students, this sunny holiday getaway offers year-round mild weather, clean beaches, and a laid-back island lifestyle just 3 km (2 mi) from the mainland. Every water lover's dream come true, the popular "SPI" features 54.7 km (34 mi) of uninterrupted beach, quaint cottages, and luxurious beachfront resorts. Although most visitors arrive over a short causeway from Port Isabel, you can also reach the town of about 3,000 by air from either Dallas or Houston. The town's public bus line provides free rides all over the island once you arrive. South Padre Island is in Texas Gulf Coast. To find out how to plan a trip to United States, use our trip itinerary maker.

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Best things to do in South Padre Island

Popular

South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center

South Padre Island

Visit for: 2h 30min

Sea Turtle, Inc.

South Padre Island

Visit for: 1h 30min

Dolphin & Whale Watching

South Padre Island

Visit for: 1h 30min

Kid Friendly Attractions

Horseback Riding Tours

South Padre Island

Visit for: 3h 30min

Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark

South Padre Island

Isla Blanca Park

South Padre Island

Side Trips

South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center

Visit for: 30min

Gladys Porter Zoo

Visit for: 2h 30min

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site

Visit for: 2h 30min

Hidden Gems

Spas & Wellness

South Padre Island

Laguna Madre Nature Trail

South Padre Island

South Padre Island

Visit for: 1h 30min

Tours

Fishing Charters & Tours

South Padre Island

Theme Parks

South Padre Island

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Where to stay in South Padre Island

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As with most tropical destinations, room rates in South Padre Island increase the closer you get to the beachfront, especially if you arrive at the height of tourist season. If you’ve built in a big budget for accommodations, stay at one of the town's high-rise luxury hotels or private seaside cottages. To stay near the water without spending too much, avoid the expensive spring break season. Consider one of the island's inns or developed campgrounds with easy beach access.

Sorry, www.visittheusa.com does not currently offer accommodation in South Padre Island

Places to visit with South Padre Island

Austin Best for: Museums, Nightlife, Fun & Games San Antonio Best for: Shopping, Historic Sites, Theme Parks Houston Best for: Museums, Nightlife, Childrens Museums Fredericksburg Best for: Museums, Wineries, Nature Dallas Best for: Museums, Parks, Zoos & Aquariums

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Recently planned trips to South Padre Island

8 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, kids, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, kids, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 12 days in Texas BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife, popular sights PREFERENCES: October, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 22 days in Washington DC, Chicago & Texas BY A USER FROM BELGIUM March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 5 days in Texas BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES December, kids, outdoors, historic sites, wildlife, fast-paced, popular sights PREFERENCES: December, kids, outdoors, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Fast-paced 7 days in Texas BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES April, kids, culture, outdoors, museums, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: April, kids, culture, outdoors, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 32 days in Texas & New Orleans BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA October, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, popular sights PREFERENCES: October, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 8 days in Texas BY A USER FROM BRAZIL July, outdoors, museums, shopping, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: July, outdoors, museums, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 8 days in Texas Gulf Coast BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES February, romantic, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular sights PREFERENCES: February, romantic, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 12 days in Texas BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES December, teens, kids, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: December, teens, kids, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 33 days in South Padre Island SEE PLAN December, popular sights PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 5 days in Texas BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES December, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife, popular sights PREFERENCES: December, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 10 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES February, outdoors, relaxing, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: February, outdoors, relaxing ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium

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