Location: South Padre Island
Top Things to do in South Padre Island
The 8 Best Nature & Parks in South Padre Island, Texas (TX)
Right off the southern tip of Texas is the tropical paradise of South Padre Island. This barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico offers vacationers a sunny respite from the daily grind. Gaze at a magnificent sunset from the flats, laze on the white sandy beach or go deep sea fishing and cook your catch at Andy Bowie Park. Take a dolphin-watch tour, look for more than 300 species of birds at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center and dine on fresh Texas Gulf seafood.
Restaurants in South Padre Island
1. Laguna Madre Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
This 1,500-foot boardwalk crosses four acres of marshland, where bird watchers can spot many coastal and migratory birds and numerous others tempted by the berries on the fiddlewood bushes along the trail
Reviewed By TGoodGurg - Coeur d'Alene, United States
Great walk for the early morning or late evening. Great birds to view. So pretty and an easy trail on a boardwalk.
2. Sea Turtle, Inc.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,023 reviews
Ila Loetscher, the "Turtle Lady of South Padre Island", originally formed our organization to save the Kemp's ridley sea turtle in 1977. Now we are a sea turtle hospital with a mission to rehabilitate and release any injured sea turtles, increase awareness concerning their safety and habitat, and assist with conservation efforts for all sea turtle species. We are funded by donations, grants and gift shop proceeds-- For rehabilitated sea turtle and hatchling release text message notifications, please see our website membership page. See you at Sea Turtle, Inc.!
Reviewed By 398edwardr - Ainsworth, United States
This was very interesting. It is a sea turtle restoration / rehabilitation center. Great exhibits with live turtles and fish in the large tanks for viewing also interesting talks by naturalists every 1/2 hour or so. Loved it!
3. South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,357 reviews
Also on Facebook- South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center
Reviewed By Expedition786858 - Jacksonville, United States
Spent a good amount of our visit here. Wonderful layout with informational bird blinds for visitors. Saw many new birds for us. A special treat was the viewing tower. We could have spent most of our time up there. Also, the indoor area had very informative displays pertaining to wildlife and geography. We saw the baby alligators fed. We attended every day of our visit as it seemed new each time. Will definitely return next visit. Take plenty of water to hydrate.
4. South Padre Island Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By LMA4567
The beach is clean and goes on for miles. There are no private beaches on this coast, and, though there are numerous hotels along the south section of the beach, there are many public access points. Past the hotel section, there are access points all along the road, two parks (one for RV parking and one for beach camping and recreation access), and roadside parking all the way to the end of the road. One of the longest, cleanest, most user friendly beaches I have ever visited.
5. Isla Blanca Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 374 reviews
Reviewed By JPCEDARLAKE
County really did a super park renovation of the pavilions and the boat ramp, as well as the ampitheater. the $12 daily fee for vehicles seems high, but the improvements are Super!1
6. Andy Bowie Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 310 reviews
Hikers and bird watchers will love the park's Laguna Madre Nature Trail, while windsurfers head for the bay side. The park also has playgrounds and picnic pavilions.
Reviewed By michaelmS4110ML - Cedar Park, United States
This is a great beach for families. There is plenty of room to pitch a canopy and chill out while the kids play in the gentle waves. The grade going into the water is a slow drop so the kids can walk out without a steep drop off. There is a riptide so you have to keep that in mind.
7. Beach Access
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By RMD3819 - Naples, United States
We went on a cold nasty weekend in January so could not have the typical beach experience. We paid the $12 for an all day pass at entrance #5. We drove north stopping along the way. You will be OK in a regular car as long as you don’t stray far from the entrance and pay attention. The beach was nearly empty when we were there because of the weather. The sand gets deeper the further north and by the time you get to entrance #6 you will absolutely need 4WD. That entranced is unmanned but don’t attempt it if you don’t have 4WD. We also used our pass at two other county parks that day.
8. South Padre Bayside Beach
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