South Padre Island Attractions
South Padre Island has much more to offer than just surf and sand. Check out Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, the Point Isabel Lighthouse in nearby Port Isabel, the SPI Nature Center, local museums and more.
South Padre Island Area Attractions
South Padre Island has much more to offer than just surf and sand. While vacationing there, visitors can choose from a wide variety of activities and attractions to fill their time between trips to the beach.
South Padre Island has much more to offer than just surf and sand. While vacationing there, visitors can choose from a wide variety of activities and attractions to fill their time between trips to the beach.
SPI Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center
Located in Port Isabel, at the base of the bridge heading to South Padre Island, the Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center offers visitors an up close look at numerous locally indigenous sea creatures, as well as daily educational programs. Dolphin and bird watching boat tours are also available nearby.
Located in Port Isabel, at the base of the bridge heading to South Padre Island, the Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center offers visitors an up close look at numerous locally indigenous sea creatures, as well as daily educational programs. Dolphin and bird watching boat tours are also available nearby.
Sea Turtle, Inc.
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.
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.
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark - South Padre Island
One of the top waterparks in the country, South Padre Island's Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark is located right on the beach and offers a wide variety of waterslides, rides, pools and other ways to 'get wet.' Schlitterbahn Beach also features a restaurant, sports bar and evening entertainment during the summer season.
One of the top waterparks in the country, South Padre Island's Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark is located right on the beach and offers a wide variety of waterslides, rides, pools and other ways to 'get wet.' Schlitterbahn Beach also features a restaurant, sports bar and evening entertainment during the summer season.
Museums of Port Isabel
The tiny town of Port Isabel in Deep South Texas is steeped in history. As one of Texas’ oldest towns, Port Isabel served as a strategic port during both the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Today, the Museums of Port Isabel celebrate and spotlight the area's rich history.
The tiny town of Port Isabel in Deep South Texas is steeped in history. As one of Texas’ oldest towns, Port Isabel served as a strategic port during both the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Today, the Museums of Port Isabel celebrate and spotlight the area's rich history.
Palo Alto Battlefield
Over the years, the Rio Grande Valley has played an important role in Texas and US history. Palo Alto Battlefield, just north of Brownsville, was the site of the first battle of the US/Mexican War in 1846. Today, Palo Alto is open to visitors as part of the National Park Service.
Over the years, the Rio Grande Valley has played an important role in Texas and US history. Palo Alto Battlefield, just north of Brownsville, was the site of the first battle of the US/Mexican War in 1846. Today, Palo Alto is open to visitors as part of the National Park Service.
Point Isabel Lighthouse - Port Isabel Lighthouse
The Point Isabel Lighthouse in Port Isabel served mariners along the Texas coast for more than five decades. Today it is designated as the Point Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site and is a favorite stop for tourists and history buffs.
The Point Isabel Lighthouse in Port Isabel served mariners along the Texas coast for more than five decades. Today it is designated as the Point Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site and is a favorite stop for tourists and history buffs.
Gladys Porter Zoo
Located at the tip of Texas, in the border city of Brownsville, the Gladys Porter Zoo has long been recognized as one of the nation’s best zoos. Easily one of the most popular attractions in South Texas, Gladys Porter Zoo attracts nearly 400,000 visitors on an annual basis.
Located at the tip of Texas, in the border city of Brownsville, the Gladys Porter Zoo has long been recognized as one of the nation’s best zoos. Easily one of the most popular attractions in South Texas, Gladys Porter Zoo attracts nearly 400,000 visitors on an annual basis.
Isla Blanca Park
Located on the extreme southern end of South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Park features biking and hiking trails, picnic areas and, of course, plenty of pristine beachfront. It is also home to the UT-Pan American Coastal Studies Lab.
Located on the extreme southern end of South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Park features biking and hiking trails, picnic areas and, of course, plenty of pristine beachfront. It is also home to the UT-Pan American Coastal Studies Lab.
South Padre Island Area Attractions
South Padre Island has much more to offer than just surf and sand. While vacationing there, visitors can choose from a wide variety of activities and attractions - located on the Island or a short drive away - to fill their time between trips to the beach.
South Padre Island has much more to offer than just surf and sand. While vacationing there, visitors can choose from a wide variety of activities and attractions - located on the Island or a short drive away - to fill their time between trips to the beach.
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
Get wet at one of the top waterparks in the country. Schlitterbahn Beach also features restaurants and evening entertainment.
Get wet at one of the top waterparks in the country. Schlitterbahn Beach also features restaurants and evening entertainment.
Breakaway Cruises
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.
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.
Fins 2 Feathers Cruises
Fins 2 Feathers Cruises of South Padre Island offers a variety of private sunset, dolphin watch and bird watching cruises and activities.
Fins 2 Feathers Cruises of South Padre Island offers a variety of private sunset, dolphin watch and bird watching cruises and activities.
Museums of Port Isabel
Located just across the bay, the Museums of Port Isabel celebrate the history of Port Isabel, South Padre Island and the Lower Laguna Madre area.
Located just across the bay, the Museums of Port Isabel celebrate the history of Port Isabel, South Padre Island and the Lower Laguna Madre area.
Island Equestrian Center
South Padre Island's Island Equestrian Center offers kids and adults alike an opportunity to ride a horse on the beach on the desolate stretches beach on the north side of South Padre Island.
South Padre Island's Island Equestrian Center offers kids and adults alike an opportunity to ride a horse on the beach on the desolate stretches beach on the north side of South Padre Island.
Sea Turtle, Inc.
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.
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.
Andy Bowie Park
Located directly across from the South Padre Island Convention Centre, Andy Bowie Park offers great beach access, two picnic pavilions, a children's playground and more.
Located directly across from the South Padre Island Convention Centre, Andy Bowie Park offers great beach access, two picnic pavilions, a children's playground and more.
Gladys Porter Zoo - Zoo On the Border
Brownsville's Gladys Porter Zoo first opened its doors in 1971. Since then the zoo has garnered international acclaim for its impressive list of species and unique exhibits.
Brownsville's Gladys Porter Zoo first opened its doors in 1971. Since then the zoo has garnered international acclaim for its impressive list of species and unique exhibits.
Edwin King Atwood Park
Located north of the town of South Padre Island, Atwood Park has a picnic pavilion, concessions and a beach access road that opens up drive-on access for some 20 miles to the Mansfield Channel.
Located north of the town of South Padre Island, Atwood Park has a picnic pavilion, concessions and a beach access road that opens up drive-on access for some 20 miles to the Mansfield Channel.
Point Isabel Lighthouse
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.
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.
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Located a short drive from South Padre Island, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge boasts half a dozen trails on which visitors can view an amazing variety of bird and animal life, including the reclusive Ocelot.
Located a short drive from South Padre Island, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge boasts half a dozen trails on which visitors can view an amazing variety of bird and animal life, including the reclusive Ocelot.