Things to Do in South Padre Island, TX - South Padre Island Attractions
Things to Do in South Padre Island
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Sea Turtle, Inc., South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, Nature & Wildlife Areas, Beaches. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Sea Turtle, Inc., South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, Nature & Wildlife Areas, Beaches. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Powered by AI
BETA
Explore popular experiences
See what other travelers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Book these experiences for a close-up look at South Padre Island.
Half-day Toursfromper adult$44
On the Waterfromper adult$97
Adventure Toursfromper adult$20
Golf Tours & Tee Timesfromper group (up to 5)$150
Scavenger Huntsfrom$22per adult$18
On the Waterfromper adult$20
On the Waterfromper adult$38
Sightseeing Cruisesfromper adult$269
Surfing Lessonsfromper adult$75
Historical Toursfromper adult$173
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Interactive sea turtle rescue center with up-close encounters and educational displays on conservation. Witness the care for turtles, some with unique prosthetics.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Wildlife sanctuary with close-up animal encounters, educational presentations, and bird-watching boardwalks. Home to a historic 55-year-old alligator and diverse ecosystems.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Clean, long stretch of beach with a mix of lively and serene spots. Features gentle waves, white sand ideal for leisurely walks, and a relaxed, friendly environment.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Flea & Street Markets
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travelers are saying
- JeanSioux Falls, SD269 contributionsVery organized informative venue. Volunteers are better than most staff. Clean well labeled. Amphitheater show good.Written November 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ana LizetteSedona, AZ2 contributionsThe weather was amazing, we got to see a lot of wildlife and even alligators! My kids had fun, definitely recommend when visiting south padre island !!Written October 14, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PipPaul WBuckfastleigh, UK1,940 contributionsRight next to the paid-for Birding centre I'm sure the birding/bird watching opportunities on this free access can't be much different from where you have to pay
Several description boards and some covered areas from the relentless sun we enjoyed a pleasant Birding hour hereWritten April 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - fmaldo0613Austin, TX5 contributionsWe went from 19th to 24th and totally missed the crowds. Last beach access was our preferred option. Beautiful and peaceful.Written April 27, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Loveroftravels17131 contributionsFamily fun! Beach was clean and found lots of shells. Jellyfish were bad but better than further north and just part of beach with the weather. There weren’t a ton of people either.Written July 3, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- janhigh13Arlington, TX4 contributionsGreat little amusement park. The go cart track is an old wooden track which I thought was pretty neat. Several things for the kids and adults to do. But it is pretty expensive. Was hard for our family with 5 kids to afford to do much.Written August 17, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Amber PMelissa, TX17 contributionsSand was fun for my 5 year old daughter to play in, great for building sandcastles. Beach was clean. People all nice. Water was fine, not clear tho. Not busy when we were there.Written August 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Roberta BCibolo, TX124 contributionsIt’s a 3 sided mural of dolphins and killer whales. It’s part of the convention center. Park by the wall and take the nature trail to get a view of Laguna Madre. Both are free.Written June 11, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- romanpiekoszChicago, IL8,983 contributionsIt was very hot day. After the dinner we've decided to take a walk. We've picked the Pier because of great refreshing breeze coming off the water. It helped us "to stay alive" after really hot day. We saw many people with fishing sticks. There were also people cleaning big fish caught far off the shore. We had very nice time. We took a walk for an hour going from one end to the other of the pier.
I recommend this place.
RomanPWritten August 2, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Peachie59Waterloo, NY113 contributionsNice small group of vendors. It may be because it's still February. Everyone there was super nice and of coarse eager to sell to you. The only reason for 4 stars is that it's way to short, 11am to 1pm.Written February 24, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ddan7777Raleigh, NC4,850 contributionsWe were actually staying at a hotel which had beach access, but we decided to see what the public access was like on South Padre island. The road that parallels the beach on the Gulf side is nice. We went to the beach at Sapphire access. There was not much free public parking available, but we were fortunate to find a spot.
It is a modest walk from the street out onto the sand into the water. The beach was clean, relatively little trash. The sand was OK. There were lots of people on the beach having a good time.Written August 14, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - mydonnaArlington, TX939 contributionsWe had a Cheer Competition here. Very nice, great parking! Was cool inside when HOT outside! Clean restrooms. Even had an ATM!Written May 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
When to Visit
- January61 ºFColdest month4 days of rainModerately busy
- February62 ºF3 days of rainModerately busy
- March67 ºF4 days of rainVery busy
- April73 ºF4 days of rainModerately busy
- May79 ºF6 days of rainVery busy
- June83 ºF6 days of rainVery busyBusiest month
- July84 ºFHottest month5 days of rainVery busy
- August84 ºF7 days of rainModerately busy
- September83 ºF11 days of rainWettest monthLess busy
- October79 ºF8 days of rainLess busy
- November71 ºF5 days of rainLess busyLeast busy month
- December63 ºF4 days of rainLess busy
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information.
Reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.