South Padre Island

Incorporated in 1973, it lies just across Laguna Madre from Port Isabel, the bay separating island from mainland. The east side of the island is referred to as the "gulf side" by locals, and the west side, the "bay side".

By plane

South Padre Island is served by three airports, with daily service primarily to Dallas and Houston.

• Valley International Airport, in nearby Harlingen, is served by Southwest Airlines, United Express, and Sun Country Airlines.

• Brownsville/South Padre Island AirportServed by American and United.

• McAllen Miller International Airport is served by American, United, and Allegiant Air.

By car

• Texas State Route 100 connects South Padre Island to the city of Port Isabel on the mainland, and continues on to meet US Route 77/83 between Harlingen and Brownsville. It is best to take this route if you will be landing at McAllen Miller International Airport.
• Texas State Route 48 links Port Isabel with Brownsville.

By bus

Catch the $2 Rio Transit bus from downtown Brownsville to its last stop in Port Isabel, and catch the free Wave from there. The Wave runs every half hour and takes you all over South Padre as far as the Visitors Center on the north end.

By boat

There are no ferry boat services, but if you have your own boat, just point yourself to the place on the Gulf of Mexico where Texas meets Mexico and you're at South Padre Island! There are several marinas on South Padre and at Port Isabel.

• Sea Ranch Marina - offers transient slips on a space available basis.
• Anchor Marina Park - deep water slips on the Port Isabel side of the causeway.

By bus

The Wave is South Padre Island's free public bus line. Buses run along the Padre Blvd. strip and across the bridge to Port Isabel. Wheelchair accessible and free (the Wave runs from 7AM to 7PM.)

By car

South Padre Island has only one main road: Padre Boulevard, which is part of Texas State Route 100. There are two parallel side streets, Gulf and Laguna. There are several taxi-cab companies, with fares starting at around $5.

• The best sight to see here is the beach, which stretches for miles.
• The lighthouse in Port Isabel was completed in 1852 and offers a spectacular view of the sea.
• Port Isabel is home to three museums, one of which is the lighthouse.

The South Padre Island Visitors Center provides detailed information about accommodations, activities and events related to boating, sailing, fishing, and seashore recreation. M-F 8AM-5PM; Sa Su 9AM-PM a half-mile north of the causeway at 600 Padre Blvd. Telephone +1 956-761-6433, or +1-800-SOPADRE (767-2373) U.S. and Canada.
South Padre is known for its water sports, including jet skiing; bay, surf, and deep-sea fishing; parasailing, sailing, dolphin cruise, and windsurfing. Other island activities include bicycling, tennis, shelling, and horseback riding on the beach. The popular Laguna Madre Nature Trail for nature enthusiasts and bird-watchers is north of the city next to the convention center.

• Air Padre Kiteboarding

  phone: +1 956-299-9463
  address: 5709 A Padre Blvd
  Offering lessons and rentals for kiteboarding, kite-landboarding, wakeboarding, stand up paddle, kayaking and surfing.

• South Padre Island Sailing Charters

• Sea Turtle Rescue Center

• Breakaway CruisesDolphin watch cruises and parasailing,

• Island Equestrian Center

  phone: +1 956-761-4677
  Horseback riding on the beach

• The Original Dolphin Watch

  phone: +1 956-761-4243
  address: 33256 Park Road 100 Suite 104
  Fireworks cruises, winter Texan cruise, sunset cruise and eco-tour.

• Gravity ParkThe Rocket - world's tallest reverse bungee, Bungee Grande - Texas' tallest bungee jump, go-karts, climbing wall, Frog Hopper, Trampoline Thing, kiddie cars.

• Parrot Eyes Watersports

  phone: +1 956 761-9457 or +1 956 459-4808
  Waverunners and Waverunner tours, parasailing, and dolphin-watching tours.

• The Black Dragon Pirate Ship

  phone: +1 956-943-MATE
  address: 501 E Maxan St - Suite C
  This company attempts to provide an authentic reproduction of a 17th-century pirate galleon coupled with today's advanced entertainment technology. Add to that an experienced and professional troupe of pirates, 4 restaurants, shopping, dolphin watches, fishing, a marine biology center, museum, and the historic Port Isabel lighthouse.

• Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark

  phone: +1 956-772-SURF
  address: 33261 State Park Road 100

• American Diving

  phone: +1 956 761-2030
  address: 33256 Park Road 100 Suite 104
  Offers snorkel trips, dolphin watch excursions, diving adventures and diving certification. State-of-the-art training facilities. Dive and snorkel from their USCG documented and inspected vessels.

• On The Beach Surf Shop

  phone: +1 956-761-1194
  address: 2105 Padre Blvd
  Great store selling casual sports wear, beach wear, surf accessories and kiteboarding accessories, etc.

• One Particular Harbor

  phone: +1 956 761-7900
  address: 4113 Padre Blvd
  Offering tropical gifts, home decor, Island casual clothing and accessories, lighthouses, windchimes, tropical art, skin care products, candles, soap.

• Ocean Motion

  phone: +1 956 761-4055
  address: 4309 Padre Blvd
  Beach wear and clothing for all ages, including board shorts, t-shirts, foot wear, sunglasses, bathing suits, and beach accessories.

• Cloud Nine

  phone: +1 956 761-9262
  address: 2303 Padre Blvd
  Tobacco and smoking accessories, art, etc.

• Inkredible

  phone: +1 956 761-3300
  address: 2301 Padre Blvd
  Tattoo shop

• Shell World

  phone: +1 956 761-3300
  address: 2311 Padre Blvd
  Beach souvenirs and accessories

• Treasure Trove

  phone: +1 956 761-4557
  address: 5504 Padre Blvd
  Very nice consignment shop-everything like new and many tasteful and eclectic items ranging from small gifts and decor to furniture.

• Paragraphs On Padre Boulevard

  phone: +1 956 433-5057
  address: 5505 Padre Blvd
  Full-service independent bookstore selling mostly new but some used books. Special orders are welcome. Chairs, free Wi-Fi, courtyard available. Very active, with author signings, local charity events, poetry readings, etc.

• Ship Shape

  phone: +1 956 761-2111
  address: 5212 Padre Blvd
  Beach accessories, floats, souvenirs, sportswear, rentals

• B & S Kites

  phone: +1 956-761-1248
  address: 2812 Padre Island Blvd
  They carry many different styles of kites, spinners, chimes ,etc. among other souvenirs, many unusual items.

• Surf's Up

  phone: +1 956-761-5340
  address: 4309 Padre Blvd
  The largest selection of beach wear and clothing on South Padre Island. Since 1988.

• barbara

  phone: +1 956 761-9329
  address: 2201 Padre Blvd
  Accessories, dresses, giftware, jewelry, swimsuits.

• Blackbeard's

  phone: +1 956 761-2962
  address: 103 E Saturn
  Sandwiches, burgers, steaks, and seafood.

• Wanna Wanna

  phone: +1 956 761-7677
  address: 5100 Gulf Blvd
  Ceviche, fried shrimp, and more. Palapa bar on the beach.

• Padre Island Brewing Company

  address: Padre Boulevard and Saturn
  Handcrafted local brews include Speckled Trout Stout; free wireless for customers.

• Sunset Cafe and Grill

  address: Padre Blvd
  A bit pricey for the quality (American "cheese", ugh!), and playing country music, but free wireless and pleasant service.

• Sea Ranch

  phone: +1 956-761-1314
  address: 33330 State Park Road 100
  Upscale, popular restaurant with seafood, steaks, etc.

• Dirty Al's Seafood

  phone: +1 956 761-4901
  address: 33396 State Park Rd. #100
  Always busy, tourist favorite-specializing in fried seafood. Also has a seafood market.

• Kohnami

  phone: +1 956 761-2446
  address: 410 Padre Blvd
  Kohnami Restaurant is the island's only Japanese eatery known for its authentic sushi. Sushi Bar, Teppanyaki Steak & Seafood Grill.

• Yummies Bistro

  address: 700 Padre Blvd
  Very popular locale for breakfast and lunch.

• Grapevine Cafe & Coffehouse

  address: 100 E Swordfish St
  Another popular place for breakfast and lunch. Can get very busy in the mornings.

• Padre Island Brewing Company

  phone: +1 956 761-9585
  address: 3400 Padre Blvd
  Best beer on the island, a fun rooftop dining and drinking area, and some downright tasty food make it a great place to hang out in the evening.

• Louie's Backyard

  phone: +1 956-761-6406
  address: Gulf Blvd
  Big nightclub with several levels, a restaurant, sports bar and local's area. NTN Trivia, pool tables, outside dance floor.

• Jake's Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 956-761-5012
  address: 2500 Padre Blvd
  Casual locals hangout specializing in Mexican food. Also features seafood, steaks, burgers, and daily lunch and dinner specials. Full bar, big patio and game room with pool, darts, video games, and jukebox in the back.

• Coral Reef

  address: 5401 Padre Blvd
  Hole-in-the-wall with stiff drinks, karaoke, and late-night party crowd

• Boomerang Billy's

  phone: +1 956 761-2420
  address: 2612 Gulf Blvd
  Great beach bar behind Surf Motel-pool, volleyball court, wide open view of the beach, very cool bartenders, live entertainment, great drinks.

• Club Pelican West

  phone: +1 956 761-4647
  address: 410 Padre Blvd. Suite 101
  Live music venue.

• Tequila Sunset

  phone: +1 956 761-6198
  address: 200 West Pike St

• Mooncusser's

  phone: +1 956 372-3991
  address: 205 West Palm St
  Located at the southernmost point of Laguna Boulevard and Palm Street on the Bay. This bar has an operating capacity to accommodate multiple forms of events with over 13,400 sq ft of entertaining area.

• Wanna Wanna Beach Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 956 761-7600
  address: 5100 Gulf Blvd

• Big Boy's Wings

  phone: +1 956 761-4379
  address: 1912 Padre Blvd
  Bar with entertainment, pool table, tv's, and bar food.

• The Quarterdeck Lounge

  phone: +1 956-761-6511
  address: 500 Padre Blvd
  The Quarterdeck Lounge, open from 11AM to 2AM, presents refreshments and live entertainment in the evening with the dance bands from across the country. The Quarterdeck presents bands from Las Vegas, Reno, Nashville, Chicago, New York and all over the United States.

• Clayton's Beach Bar & Event Venue

  phone: +1 956 761-5900
  address: 6900 Padre Blvd
  The biggest beach bar in Texas. Features volleyball, live music concerts both indoor and outdoor and more.

Visitors find wide range of accommodations from campgrounds and family motels to high-rise luxury hotels and condo rentals, marinas and seaside cottages.

• Blue Bay Inn

  phone: +1 956-761-4350
  address: 901 Padre Blvd
  Swimming pool, free breakfast.

• Sunchase IV Resort

  phone: +1 956 761-6818
  address: 1004 Padre Blvd

• Super 8 South Padre Island

  phone: +1 956 761-6300
  address: 4205 Padre Blvd

• La Quinta Inn & Suites South Padre Beach Resort

  address: 7000 Padre Blvd

• South Padre Island Travelodge

  address: 6200 South Padre Blvd

• Motel 6

  phone: +1 956 761-7911
  address: 4013 Padre Blvd

• Isla Grand Resort (formerly Radisson)

  phone: +1 956 761-6511
  address: 500 Padre Blvd
  This beachfront resort has great onsite amenities such as two swimming pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, restaurants, nightclub, and more.

• Ramada Limited

  phone: +1 956-761-4097
  address: 4109 Padre Blvd

• Howard Johnson

  phone: +1 956-761-5658
  address: 1709 Padre Blvd
  This hotel offers a resort atmosphere with a tropically landscaped swimming pool and hot tub. Spacious, comfortable lobby, oversized rooms.

• The SandBox Inn

  phone: +1 956-459-2928
  address: 117 E. Saturn
  Spacious 2BR/2BA beach house sleeps 8 comfortably. Pool table, piano, designer kitchen (nicely equipped) and sand sculpture garden/gallery great location for a gathering of up to 50 people.

• Franke Rentals

  phone: +1 956-761-2607
  address: 8605 Padre Blvd Suite 2
  South Padre Island vacation homes and condos for rent.

Free Wi-Fi

• SPI Visitor Center

  address: Padre Blvd
  SSID: SPI Visitor Center

• Sunset Cafe and GrillFor customers, SSID: Sunset Cafe

• Padre Island Brewing CompanyFor customers, SSID: Brew

• Cross the bridge to get back to the nearby port town, Port Isabel. It has many restaurants and souvenir shops.
• Padre Island National Seashore