Our other sites
Get A Free World Heritage Guide »
SeatGuru
Family Vacation Critic
Cruise Critic
BookingBuddy
We recommend:
We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.

South Padre Island

Free Newsletter

Interested in South Padre Island?

We'll send you updates with the latest deals, reviews and articles for South Padre Island each week.

Visiting South Padre Island, TX


Right off the southern tip of Texas is a tropical paradise offering as much or as little activity as you want. Whether gazing at a magnificent sunset over Laguna Madre, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, hiking, bird-watching, scuba diving, golfing or simply lazing on the soft white sand beach, this long, narrow barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico offers the ocean-, sun- or recreation-bound vacationer a heavenly respite from the daily grind. Except for Spring Break, when students flood the area... more » Right off the southern tip of Texas is a tropical paradise offering as much or as little activity as you want. Whether gazing at a magnificent sunset over Laguna Madre, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, hiking, bird-watching, scuba diving, golfing or simply lazing on the soft white sand beach, this long, narrow barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico offers the ocean-, sun- or recreation-bound vacationer a heavenly respite from the daily grind. Except for Spring Break, when students flood the area, the atmosphere is quiet and laid-back. The clear turquoise waters are enticing, but there's no shortage of activities for landlubbers. Go horseback riding on the beach, play a round of tennis or golf, hike or join the birders seeking out the area's more than 300 species. Or get a bird's-eye view of the coast from the top of the historic Port Isabel Lighthouse. Fresh seafood with all varieties of seasoning and other fare is served at excellent restaurants, many with outdoor seating. A true island getaway, South Padre will renew your soul. « less
Find Cheap Flights from Philadelphia to Harlingen

Traveler Advice on South Padre Island

530 Hotels & Accommodations

23 Things to Do

62 Restaurants

Before You Go

  • Traveler Articles – Advice from real travelers
Free South Padre Island Guide

Get your quick guide to the top hotels, restaurants and things to do.

Weather

 | 
Monthly Averages
Month
High
Low
Precip
Dec
69°F 20°C
49°F 9°C
1 in 2 cm
Jan
69°F 20°C
51°F 10°C
1 in 2 cm
Feb
71°F 21°C
53°F 11°C
1 in 2 cm
Mar
75°F 23°C
58°F 14°C
1 in 3 cm
Apr
81°F 27°C
64°F 17°C
1 in 3 cm
May
86°F 30°C
69°F 20°C
2 in 4 cm

Reviews you can trust

Best Western La Copa Inn & Suites

Dec 26, 2009

We booked a large block of rooms for a Christmas party with many friends. The primary reason for staying at BW-Copa Inn was the low price and some word of mouth reviews. I have stayed at several...more

Travelodge South Padre Island

2 of 5 stars
Fayetteville, AR
Dec 25, 2009

My room was satisfactory. The room was large with a tiled floor. Because of the sand and humidity I find the tile to be preferable to carpet. The WIFI was marginal at best. The continental...more

Palms Resort

5 of 5 stars
Shreveport, Louisiana
Dec 18, 2009

Mid-December is not the prime time to visit South Padre Island, but the Palms Resort managed to capture the essence of tropical summer even when the weather was something less than ideal. True to its...more

South Padre Island Forum

Ask a Question or Browse the Discussions
Driving from Toronto Canada (thru Detroit) to Corpus Christi December 27, 2009, 1 reply
corpus christi in Feb December 27, 2009, 2 replies
I have lived here for 40 years so ask me anything. December 26, 2009, 208 replies
Things to see on South Padre Island, TX December 13, 2009, no replies
Condo for Spring Break 10 for College Students December 13, 2009, 3 replies
Birding November 20, 2009, 2 replies
Tough one: Saida II vs Sapphire November 20, 2009, 1 reply
Citrus store December 06, 2009, 1 reply
Florence or Inverness December 14, 2009, 2 replies
we live and work on south padre island December 23, 2009, 174 replies
Search the South Padre Island Forum

Are You a South Padre Island Tourism Organization?

Destinations of the Day
Marmaris, Turkey
  • Resident population: 30,000 Annual visitors: 1,000,000 (est.)
  • Major features: boating, beaches, nightlife
  • 9,973 TripAdvisor reviews of 398 accommodations, 27 attractions and 116 restaurants
A gorgeous backdrop of pine-clad mountains looms behind the seaside resort of Marmaris in southwest Turkey. Popular as a cruise ship and yacht port and with the British budget holiday crowd, Marmaris offers an abundance of fast food restaurants, the restored castle of Suleyman the Magnificent and an appealing cobblestoned old quarter.
  • Resident population: 396,334 Annual visitors: 676,000 (est.)
  • Major features: beach resorts, water sports, coral reefs
  • 11,505 TripAdvisor reviews of 171 accommodations, 16 attractions and 55 restaurants
A cluster of idyllic atolls in the Indian Ocean, about 200 of the Maldives' 1200 islets are inhabited. Another 100 are private resort islands.
Miami Beach, Florida
  • Resident population: 87,925 Annual visitors: 10,000,000 (est.)
  • Major features: nightlife, beaches, shopping, art museums
  • 26,419 TripAdvisor reviews of 363 accommodations, 71 attractions and 403 restaurants
South Beach, or SoBe, is Miami Beach's buzziest bit. The vibrant area, with its pastel-hued buildings, hip nightclubs, trendy shops and see-and-be-seen restaurants, attracts socialites and their satellites year-round.
Honolulu, Hawaii
  • Resident population: 374,676 Annual visitors: 1,733,000 (est.)
  • Major features: beaches, surfing, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head
  • 32,962 TripAdvisor reviews of 462 accommodations, 207 attractions and 1,130 restaurants
If you visit Honolulu simply for the wide Pacific beaches, the striking views of Ko'olau's pali (cliffs) and the laid-back "aloha" feeling, you'll be missing out on much this city has to offer.
Kauai, Hawaii
  • Resident population: 58,303 (est.)
  • Major features: beaches, water sports, Waimea Canyon, waterfalls
  • 17,811 TripAdvisor reviews of 972 accommodations, 198 attractions and 213 restaurants
Relaxing and pristine Kauai (the Garden Island)is the least commercially developed of the Hawaiian islands. Waterfalls, scenic drives and more than 60 beaches dot the landscape.