8 Incredible Outdoor Experiences To Have in South Padre Island, Texas
When it comes to Texas, what do you think of? Maybe cowboy boots, Whataburger, or the Alamo? Odds are you didn’t think of the Lone Star State’s hundreds of miles of sandy beaches, and the adventures that come along with them. But you should.
There are tons of places to experience the Texas coast, but the only one you really need to know is South Padre Island, a barrier-island resort town in the Gulf of Mexico. South Padre sits at the state’s tropical southern tip and has beautiful weather year-round, making it the perfect escape as the leaves start to change and the weather cools down in the rest of the country. And while much of the Texas coast was impacted by Hurricane Harvey, South Padre Island was spared and has its doors wide open, waiting for the world to come explore the best spot on the Gulf.
Here’s what you’ve been missing out on if South Padre hasn’t crossed your radar until now.
1. Channeling your inner chick flick and riding horses on the beach
Is there anything more Texas than riding a horse? Doubtful. Is there anything more South Padre Island than riding a horse down the beach, with maybe even a quick gallop through the water? Even more doubtful.
2. Learning to build the sandcastle you didn’t know you were dreaming of
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Sandcastles are
And don’t worry about bringing supplies (those dollar-store molds won’t cut it here). Most classes come with all of the equipment needed and usually offer the chance to purchase kits afterward so you can take your awesome new skills straight to the next beach to show off.
3. Getting a bird’s-eye view by jumping out of a freakin’ airplane
If jumping out of an airplane 11,000 feet above the Gulf and falling at 150mph toward the turquoise waters isn’t on your bucket list…it should be. Why isn’t it? This is a question you should be asking yourself.
4. Soaking up the sunset while searching for dolphins
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Not many people get to see dolphins in their natural habitat. But you’ll be among that select group in South Padre, which is home to a number of different pods and species of dolphins, including bottle-nose and spinner dolphins.
Multiple companies (like
5. Becoming a human jet ski
For some, the perfect weekend in South Padre is lying out on the beach or lazily fishing off a boat. And then there are those for whom the perfect weekend consists of mastering the art of
The device redirects the waterflow of a jet ski to allow experienced flyboarders to flip and fly like the coolest of superheroes. While it might take the rest of us a minute to get our sealegs, with a 30-minute orientation and some practice out on the water, nearly everyone is able to at least look like they know what they’re doing
6. Floating in Schlitterbahn’s lazy river until you’re mistaken for a raisin
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Everyone in Texas knows there’s only one waterpark that matters —
Part of the park is indoors, the outdoor section is where it really shines. It features a massive sandcastle fit for some sort of South Texas mermaid queen, a waterslide with a 45-foot drop, and a tube chute slide with blasting water and sound effects. But the real highlight is the Rio Aventura, a lazy-river system perfect for some relaxed afternoon floating. Even better, the river also doubles as the line for many of the rides — so you never even have to step foot out of the water.
7. Living out your Finding Nemo fantasies with local sea turtles
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There are five different types of sea turtles that call the Gulf of Mexico home, and all five them can be found — at one time or another throughout the year — around South Padre Island. Chances of seeing a sea turtle nesting on the beach are pretty slim, but the public is often invited to witness the release of hatchlings between May and August.
But you can always catch a glimpse of a sea turtle — plus gain a thorough understanding of the creatures and a chance to volunteer with rescued animals — at the local sea turtle rehabilitation center.
8. Partying with pelicans (and herons and egrets and spoonbills)
Photo: Chuck Lorenz for the
From dolphins to sea turtles, the biodiversity of South Padre Island is definitely something to write home about — and for birdwatchers, this is a place of pure joy. Birdwatching may not seem like the most exciting endeavor, especially in a land of human jets skis and waterparks, but at the
Whether it’s catching an American white pelican scoop up its dinner or spotting the ocean-blue body of an indigo bunting, you’re bound to leave the center — and eventually the island — with one thought on your mind: When can I come back?
