At the southern end of Texas, South Padre Island is the definition of beach destination. Popular among spring breakers, the island is half a mile wide and only 2.5 miles long. Yet it’s a year-round destination that’s teeming with gorgeous beaches, rich nature and the kind of bars that keep the fun going into the early hours.

On South Padre Island, it doesn’t matter if you’re facing the Gulf of Mexico or the Laguna Madre, you’ll have lovely views, great swimming and ample opportunity for outdoor adventures. Whatever your poison from SUPs and kayaks to fishing and boating, you won’t have an issue staying busy.

To see and do it all, check out our guide to the best things to do on South Padre Island.

Beautiful Isla Blanca Beach. Devon S/Shutterstock

Head to the Beach

South Padre Island has the nickname the Texas Riviera, for a reason. Its rows of golden sand beaches attract travelers by the millions, with the island being both a summer hotspot and a winter haven for those seeking to escape the cold. Much of the attractions lies along the scenic coast, home to some of the cleanest and calmest waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

The main beach on South Padre Island is Isla Blanca Beach. It’s officially a mile long, yet you can continue walking along the soft white sand until you reach the island’s end. While there are access points all along the island’s eastern coast, Isla Blanca has the best range of amenities. Here, you’ll find beachside parking, bathrooms and waterfront pavilions for taking a break from the sun. When you’re ready for a feed, you’ll also be mere steps away from a number of local restaurants.

Also on Isla Blanca beach is the El Cristo de los Pescadores statue (Christ of the Fishermen) on of the top South Padre attractions. 

Jump on a Stand-Up Paddleboard

If you’ve ever woken up early on a beautiful sunny day to find people gliding across the dead still sea on a SUP, you would have felt the pangs of jealousy. The leisurely water sport is as relaxing as it gets (provided you can keep your balance). Heck, they even do yoga on paddleboards now. With so much of life on South Padre Island revolving around the water, you must get your hands on a SUP during your trip.

As the island is a beach vacation destination, you won’t find a shortage of rental outfits to choose from. South Padre Surf and Air Padre are two popular outfitters that will get you kitted up and out on the water in no time. Air Padre is great for exploring the island’s canals and the scenic Laguna Madre, while they also rent out kayaks, jet skis and run kiteboarding lessons.

South Padre Surf operates out of Isla Bianca Beach Park and also provides surfing, fly boarding and wakeboarding adventures.

Driving on the beach in South Padre is so fun! Diane Isabel/Shutterstock

Drive on the Beach

One of the most spectacular things to do on South Padre Island is to drive on the beach. The sense of freedom is palpable as you zoom along the hard sand, watching the waves rise and fall out the window. 

Although South Padre Island has over 30 miles of majestic beachfront, not all allow for cars. There are two major access points within the city limits, these are Beach Access 5 and 6. For this experience, you’ll want a decent clearance and a four-wheel-drive is a strong preference. The driving fee is $12 dollars and Beach Access 5 allows cars to camp overnight with access to the amenities at Edward King Atwood Park.

North of the city limits in SPI brings a gorgeous 30 miles of beach driving, including the to and along the sand dunes. If you don’t have a 4WD, the Queen Isabella Causeway and State Road 100 offer the perfect solution. Here, the tarmac runs onto the beach, providing all the same spine tingling views without having to worry about getting bogged.

Go horse riding

After parking the car, it’s time to trade four wheels for four hooves. To do so, head to South Padre Island Adventure Park. Your time here will start with a scenic horse ride before becoming even more exciting. To reach the park, you’ll have to drive along the memorable State Road 100 with the dunes rising to your left and the ocean crashing to your right.

Upon arrival, it won’t take long to get the horse saddled up, and after a quick initiation, you’ll be trotting along the beach. The 90-minute experience is utterly tranquil with just the sounds of the clip clopping of hooves and the waves tumbling down. Feel the salty mist run through your hair as the views somehow grow ever grander.

After hanging up the saddle, turn your attention to the other fun activities at the Island Adventure Park. Strap up and zipline across the park for 45 minutes straight, enjoy some friendly competition on the go-kart track or mini golf course and hang with some cute animals at the petting zoo.

With all this on offer, the park is one of the best things to do on South Padre Island with kids.

Dive beneath the surface

You’ve swum, sunbathed, drove and rode, and now it’s time to explore the vibrant world beneath the surface around South Padre Island. With a mix of the Gulf of Mexico and the calm Laguna Madre, divers of all abilities will have an opportunity to explore beautiful marine life with fantastic visibility.  

In Laguna Madre, scuba divers can explore relatively shallow waters that come with easy swimming conditions, a wide range of fish and the odd roaming turtle. One of the best dive sites around South Padre Island is the Texas Clipper. This was a troop transport ship from the Second World War that saw action in the Pacific. After the war, the ship was repurposed into a luxury ocean liner before being sunk off the coast in 2007. This has created an artificial reef that spans almost 500 feet (152m) and is close to the surface.

With the help of Dive South Padre, divers of all abilities can get out on the water with further options to snorkel or embark on a dolphin watching adventure.

Hike the Laguna Madre Nature Trail

Beyond the surf shops and cars on the sand, South Padre Island has an untamed wild side. The best way to experience the island’s beautiful natural world is on the Laguna Madre Nature Trail. It is a short and sweet at only 1-mile long and eventually connects to a second 1,500 long boardwalk. The boardwalk is accessible and can be completed as a separate trek.

The highlight of the trail is the exceptional birding opportunities. As you meander through the peaceful paradise of marshlands and coastal forests, you can witness up to 300 bird species that call the island home. The birds change based on the seasons, with an array of migratory birds making a temporary stop on their way north or south.

The unspoiled haven is open all day long and doesn’t cost a penny. Come at sunset to watch the sky slowly change and the low hanging light splash against the canopies. After the hike, be sure to explore the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, complete with a 5-story viewpoint.

Port Isabel Lighthouse. Arina P Habich/Shutterstock

See Port Isabel Lighthouse

Your time on South Padre Island has gotten off to a hectic start. But to slow things down and enjoy some man-made excellence, then go see the Port Isabel Lighthouse. The historic lighthouse, with its towering white cylinder and black beacon, was built in 1852 to aid ships sailing through the Brazos Santiago Pass. Today, it’s the only regional lighthouse available to explore.

Visitors can make their way to the top of the lighthouse that includes over 100 steps and a practically vertical ladder at the end. From your elevated platform, you’ll enjoy extensive vistas of the Gulf of Mexico and the surround coast, along with the bridge that connects to the island.

Afterwards, make your way to the Port Isabel Historical Museum, which boasts one of Texas’ most expansive artifact repositories from the Mexican-American War. Complement this experience with a visit to the Treasure of the Gulf Museum to learn about life on board ships in the 1500s and to see treasures found beneath the surface.

Travelers can see all three attractions for $9 or individual sites for $4 each.

Visit the Beach Park at Isla Blanca

Sometimes sand and sea just don’t cut it. For something that will get your adrenalin pumping, take a few steps back from Isla Blanca Beach and arrive at the Beach Park. Spanning 25 acres, the complex is an indoor and outdoor water park that is as refreshing as it is exhilarating.

Beach Park at Isla Blanca boasts over a dozen water slides that are split between the outdoor and indoor sections. Meaning if the rain does tumble down on South Padre Island, you can still get the heart racing. One of the top slides is the Storm Chaser. To reach the lines, you just have to float down Rio Aventura and wade in the water until your time has arrived. You’ll then be swept up by a conveyor belt before zooming back down to the river.

Beyond the thrilling water slides, you’ll be able to try out some surfing moves on the artificial waves at Surf Rider before chilling on the lazy river known as Agua Blanca. Later, swim up to Bob’s Float-In Bar for a lovely place to enjoy a drink without leaving the water.

Build the perfect sandcastle

There are many beautiful beach destinations in the United States, but few come with the kind of exceptional sandcastles you’ll find on South Padre Island. Here, locals have taken things to a new level and turn building a regular sandcastle into an art form. 

To experience the sand building excellence, take a walk along the South Padre Island Sandcastle Trail. Along the way, you’ll find around incredible castles, including the largest in the United States, which is located next to the Tourist Information Center. Travelers can’t help but be inspired by the creations. Thankfully, local experts have taken it upon themselves to help you bring out your inner-sandcastle extraordinaire.

Whatever you wish to build, Sandcastle Lessons will teach you all you need to know. Under the instructor’s tutelage, you’ll be able to make a castle straight out of a Disney flock with multiple towers and beautiful detail. After becoming a master, bring your skills to the beaches back home and have others look on in awe.