©

South Padre Island trip planner

Create a fully customized
day by day itinerary for free

Itinerary planner

+ Add destination
2 adults
Adults
- +
Teens
- +
Kids
- +
Close
Trip Planner :  USA  /  Texas  /  Texas Gulf Coast  /  South Padre Island

South Padre Island

4
Wildlife Areas · Dolphin & Whale Watching · Fishing Charters & Tours
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. Take a look at our United States online road trip planner to refine the details of your trip to South Padre Island.
Create a full itinerary — for free!

    Plan your trip to South Padre Island

    • Get a personalized trip
      A complete day by day itinerary
      based on your preferences
    • Customize it
      Refine your trip. We'll find the
      best routes and schedules
    • Manage it
      Everything in one place.
      Everyone on the same page.

    Popular things to do in South Padre Island

    South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center ©
    Wildlife Area
    South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
    4.6
    Duration: 2 hours
    Sea Turtle, Inc. ©
    Wildlife Area
    Sea Turtle, Inc.
    4.7
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    ©
    Dolphin / Whale Watching
    Dolphin & Whale Watching
    4.6
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    ©
    Fishing Charter / Tour
    Fishing Charters & Tours
    4.2
    Duration: 2h 30 min

    Kid-friendly things to do in South Padre Island

    ©
    Horseback Riding Tour
    Horseback Riding Tours
    4.2
    Duration: 2 hours
    ©
    Adrenaline / Extreme Tour
    Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
    2.6
    Duration: 2 hours
    ©
    Parasailing / Paragliding
    Parasailing & Paragliding
    4.2
    Duration: 1 hour
    Isla Blanca Park ©
    Beach
    Isla Blanca Park
    2.9
    Duration: 2 hours

    Side trips from South Padre Island

    South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center
    Aquarium
    South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center
    Port Isabel
    4.6
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    Gladys Porter Zoo ©
    Zoo
    Gladys Porter Zoo
    Brownsville
    4.5
    Duration: 2 hours
    Port Isabel Lighthouse ©
    Lighthouse
    Port Isabel Lighthouse
    Port Isabel
    4.0
    Duration: 2 hours
    Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum ©
    Monument
    Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum
    Harlingen
    4.7
    Duration: 2 hours

    Hidden gems in South Padre Island

    Laguna Madre Nature Trail ©
    Historic Walking Area
    Laguna Madre Nature Trail
    4.4
    Duration: 2 hours
    Wyland's Whaling Wall ©
    Landmark
    Wyland's Whaling Wall
    3.8
    Duration: 2 hours
    Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard
    4.9
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    Seas the Day ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Seas the Day
    5.0
    Duration: 1h 30 min

    Shopping in South Padre Island

    Karen's Custom Toe Rings ©
    Gift & Specialty Shop
    Karen's Custom Toe Rings
    4.7
    Duration: 30 minutes
    South Padre Island Farmer's Market ©
    Flea Market
    South Padre Island Farmer's Market
    3.9
    Duration: 2 hours

    Wildlife in South Padre Island

    ©
    Scuba / Snorkeling
    Scuba & Snorkeling
    4.5
    Duration: 2 hours

    Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

    Places to visit with South Padre Island

    San Antonio Trip planner BEST FOR: Shopping, Historic Site, Theme Park Austin Trip planner BEST FOR: Government Building, History Museum, Entertainment Center Dallas Trip planner BEST FOR: Specialty Museum, Garden, Aquarium Fredericksburg Trip planner BEST FOR: Winery / Vineyard, Military Museum, Geologic Formation Houston Trip planner BEST FOR: Specialty Museum, Science Museum, Ballet

    Visit a single location or make it a multi-destination trip.

    Recently planned trips to South Padre Island

    8 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Sea Turtle, Inc. · South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center · Laguna Madre Nature Trail 7 days in South Padre Island & San Antonio BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES South Padre Island · San Antonio 38 days in Milwaukee & South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Milwaukee · South Padre Island 5 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Don Wes Flea Market · Valley Nature Center · Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets 4 days in South Padre Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Sea Turtle, Inc. · South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center · Horseback Riding Tours 13 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES South Padre Island · New Orleans · Clearwater