South Padre Island in Texas tends to have a bit of a reputation – a reputation of being a party-happy Spring Break destination.
But before you assume that visiting South Padre Island is bound to resemble a rowdy movie about the American college experience, know that there's plenty to do on SPI that has nothing to do with partying. Things like dolphin cruises and paddleboarding and horseback riding and even a sea turtle rescue center.
So even though I don't party (I don't even drink that much!), I said yes to a trip to South Padre Island with Texas Tourism. Because one of the things I love most about what I do is being able to dispel misconceptions and set the record straight about destinations that have a lot more to offer than people assume.
South Padre Island is definitely one of those destinations.
After spending four days there, I concluded that not only is it a great destination for people who love the heat and the outdoors, but it's also a year-round destination that can appeal to everyone from Spring Breakers to families with kids.
Take a moment to read my SPI to-do list and discover what there is to do on South Padre Island OTHER than hang out on the beach and drink.
10 things to do on South Padre Island
1. Rent a paddleboard
I'm so happy that paddleboarding has taken off and become as popular as it has. Not only is it a great way to be out on the water, but paddleboarding can be a great workout, too!
There are quite a few rental options when it comes to getting a board and heading out to explore South Padre's canals and Laguna Madre. You can rent a paddleboard from spots like Parrot Eyes and SPI Sessions Watersports. SPI Sessions even offers SUP lessons and tours in case you're not confident to explore on your own.
We rented boards for two hours and enjoyed paddling around in the Laguna.
Tip: I would go paddleboarding early in the morning, as it can start to get really hot (and sometimes windy) in the afternoon.
And for the more adventurous, you can also rent jetskis, or even try kiteboarding with Air Padre. (Kiteboarding requires a lot more physical strength and coordination than paddleboaring, though!)
2. Go horseback riding on the beach
Another great morning activity is a horseback riding tour with Island Adventure Park. To get there, you have to leave the town and drive down South Padre Road 100, a road surrounded on both sides by sand dunes, which in itself is pretty cool.
Once you get there, you're paired up with a horse and are ready to ride in no time.
The riding tour lasts about 90 minutes, and has you riding along the quiet beach and up into the dunes.
I LOVE horses and horseback riding a lot, and this was therefore one of my favorite things I did on South Padre Island.
Island Adventure has a lot of horses to choose from, and the guides will match you up with one that fits your riding experience. This is something that's suitable for the whole family, too, as prior riding experience is not required. (Their minimum age requirement is 6, though.)
3. Explore the island in a scootcoupe
It may look a bit weird, but driving around in a little scooter car called a scootcoupe was another of my favorite activities on South Padre Island.
These tiny little cars may look a little ridiculous sharing the road with huge pickup trucks, but I assure you that they are SO fun to drive – and they can actually go more than 40 mph!
While most people visiting SPI probably have a vehicle, spending an afternoon zipping around in one of these is still worth it simply because it's so fun and unique*.
*It actually looks like most of the golf cart rental companies have phased out the scootcoupes, though you could still try contacting companies like SPI Fun Rentals or Paradise Fun Rentals to see if they have them. (Paradise Fun Rentals rents Slingshots now, which are also super fun!)
If you're renting anything motorized that drives on the road like a regular car, know that a valid driver's license is required to rent/drive here
4. Learn about turtles at Sea Turtle Inc.
While driving around in our scootcoupes, we made sure to stop at Sea Turtle Inc., a facility on the Laguna Madre that aims to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles. They also protect sea turtle eggs and release hatchlings back into the wild.
Visiting the facility, you can see some of the turtles currently in rehab, as well as a few permanent residents that can't be released because of amputations and other disabilities.
This is a great place for anyone – kid or adult – who is interested in learning more about sea turtles. It's one of the top South Padre Island attractions for a reason!
5. Look for birds on the boardwalk
Want to go on a nice walk that doesn't include sand? Head over to the Laguna Madre Nature Trail near the South Padre Island Convention Center.
This 1500-foot boardwalk criss-crosses marshland near the Laguna Madre, and is a great place to spot lots of different bird species. It's also an incredibly beautiful and peaceful place for a walk.
6. Cook your own catch
For the fishermen (and women) among you, South Padre Island offers up many opportunities to fish for trout and redfish in the Laguna Madre.
If you go out in the morning, you can bring your catch back, clean it, and then take the fish to a couple of different restaurants to get it cooked up for lunch.
I didn't go fishing myself, but Craig from Stay Adventurous did and brought back a bunch of fish that we got cooked up at a new restaurant at Jim's Pier. It doesn't get much fresher!
You can book a bay fishing group tour like this one, or book a private fishing tour for your family or group.
Note: In order to go fishing, you'll need a valid Texas Saltwater Fishing License. You can get one online in advance from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
7. Take to the skies in a parasail
Parasailing is really fun, and just the right amount of adventure for many people. It's a a great way to see South Padre and the Laguna from above, while also getting a bit of an adrenaline rush.
Check out the video of my parasailing trip here:
I did the tandem parasailing option, which I think is actually more fun than going solo since you can share the experience with a friend or loved one.
The views from up in the air are pretty amazing!
>> Book your own SPI parasailing adventure here. <<
8. Go on a dolphin-watching cruise
One of the most popular family-friendly activities on South Padre Island is going on a dolphin-watching cruise. The cool part is that you don't have to go far at all – there are hundreds of bottlenose dolphins that call the Laguna Madre home.
This also means that you're almost guaranteed to see some dolphins on your cruise, which makes it great value.
While out with Osprey Cruises, we also learned that the Laguna Madre is one of just six hypersaline (i.e. saltier than the ocean) lagoons in the world. What a fun fact!
>> Book your own dolphin eco-cruise here. <<
9. Take a sandcastle building class
Another fun and unique thing you can do with the whole family on SPI is take a sandcastle building class! Building sandcastles is a popular pastime on South Padre, and this sandcastle-building class will teach you the art of shaping and sculpting sand.
Classes last 1-2 hours, and the tools you learn with are yours to use through the duration of your stay on South Padre Island.
>> Book a sandcastle building class here. <<
10. Watch fireworks at Louie's Backyard
Lastly, if you're visiting South Padre during the summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day), you can catch fireworks over the Laguna Madre every Friday night at 9:15 p.m. at Louie's Backyard.
This restaurant/sports bar complex is the perfect place to have dinner and watch the fireworks. Louie's is known for its seafood buffet, and is also a popular spot for music and nightlife later in the evening.
And look at that: not one mention of drinking or laying on the beach! There are even more things to do on South Padre, too, from shopping to renting a jet ski to of course just hanging out on the beach.
It's totally possible to plan a vacation to this little slice of Texas and never get bored.
Where to stay on South Padre Island
Looking for suggestions on where to stay on South Padre? Here are my top picks:
- The Hilton Garden Inn is the #1 rated hotel on the island. (Read reviews | Book here)
- The Holiday Inn Express is probably your best budget option. (Read reviews | Book here)
- And check out La Copa Inn for great beachfront views. (Read reviews | Book here)
- If you're traveling with a larger family, you could also consider renting a condo like this one.
OR, you can also search for SPI vacation rentals here.
The best South Padre Island tours
Check out some of these tours on South Padre Island:
- Dolphin Watch Eco Tour of South Padre Island
- Parasailing Adventure South Padre Island
- South Padre Island Sandcastling
More essential SPI info
- Looking for packing suggestions for South Padre Island? Head over to my Amazon shop to see all my favorite travel gear!
- Pick up a Texas travel guide before you go.
READ NEXT: Blooms, Balloons, and BBQ: An East Texas To-Do List
What would be at the top of YOUR South Padre Island to-do list?
*Note: I was a guest of South Padre Island and Texas Tourism on this trip. But, as always, all opinions are 100% my own!
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
It should be called Spring Liberals! The punks drive wrecklessely and too many of them are intoxicated with alcohol and dope. You can walk along minding your own business and end up in trouble with too many young and inexperienced-in-life college punks who think they own this island each year. I reccommend coming here from mid April to September…you’ll enjoy it much more when most of the visitors are the seniors and the punks are all back at the schools who teach them little or nothing, anyway. I’ve lived and worked out on South Padre Island so I know what I’m talking about!
Not sure I understand the tie between “punks” and liberals, but okay.
You mentioned price of touring on some such as how much it costs to ride a horse. But you failed to do the same on that tiny car called scoutcoupe. Overall, though, I thank you for giving me an idea on what to do and see in South Padre.
The prices to rent the scootcoupes can vary depending on the season and where you rent it from, so I didn’t include any pricing. The place we rented from rents those for about $50 for an hour, I think.
Kiflu,
Amanda mentioned a company that does lighted LED kayaks and paddleboards and provides a link to Bayside Water Rentals page on the SPI Visitors Bureau’s website.
We are a new company that is bringing the newest “wow experience” for SPI visitors. We have created a buzz here on SPI in a short period of time and have many places on the Island that highly recommend us as in the Top 5 things to do on South Padre Island (Breakaway Cruises, KOA Campground, Jim’s Pier, The Inn South Padre Island, and several of the accommodation rental companies).
Please check us out when considering what to do here on Padre as we go above and beyond for our customers.
Today we decided to take our 9 year old grand daughter horseback riding. She was enjoying it more than me. The attantants or guides weren’t as helpful when I tried getting up on my horse. I am a short woman and had to ask for a stool. The guide didn’t appeared to be too happy when I about but he effortlessly did anyway. They should be more helpful after they charge an arm and a leg for those rides. Upon returning I ask for the stool and he said they didn’t have one
Sorry to hear you didn’t have as good of a time! Guides really can make or break a tour sometimes. As for price, though, I found the horseback rides in SPI to be super affordable!
Linda,
Amanda mentions in her article (paddle boarding section) a company that has LED Lighted kayaks and paddleboards and a link provided to Bayside Water Rentals.
GREAT customer service is what we are known for and we have had many customers who did our LED Fireworks or LED Sunset Event that also did the horseback riding and said they loved the “wow experience” we provided more than the horseback riding.
When you return to SPI in the future look up Bayside Water Rentals for a truly unique experience and superior customer service. We are listed on the SPI Visitors Bureau’s website.
[…] spring break destination for teens, South Padre Island has much more to do than party like a wild animal. A Dangerous Business shares her experience […]
This is an amazing list! I’m going next March for spring break and this will help me to have an amazing time with plenty to write about! (I’m also a travel blogger) Where did you rent the scootcoupe? I was searching online and could not find it.
Thanks!
There are a few places on the main strip to rent scootcoupes – we got ours from Wheels on Padre!
Hi, I am from India and will be travelling to Texas this year end. I wanted to know if south padre island is accessible via road or is there any need to take a cruise or something like that? Even for Galveston?
South Padre Island is connected to the mainland by a large bridge, so you can indeed drive there.
[…] are on the agenda. (We’ll also be taking tips from Amanda’s super-adventurey list of 10 Things to Do on South Padre Island. I’m dying to […]
Hey Amanda – Great Job on South Padre Island – and if any folks need to know what else there is to do
you could
Learn to build the Sandcastle of your dreams with American Champion, Andy Hancock – There are 5 instructors on the Island! Its the Sandcastle Capital of the World!
Take a Segway Tour of the Island with Rachel @Seg Valley Tours
Design and Make a Unique Island style piece of Jewellry at Seas the Day with Brian Clifford
Take a Dinner Cruise on the Fabulous Sail SPI catamaran
Visit the Largest Outdoor permanent Sandcastle and, the only permanent Sandcastle Trail in the USA
Hire one of the Many Island fishing captains such as Mark Guillot and go fishing on the laguna Madre bay where you may spot Green turtles, almost always see Dolphins and catch Lunch and Dinner which can be cooked by almost any resturant on the Island – you’d have to search for the ones that didn’t!
Rent a Bicycle and ride the island
Watch one of our great island entertainers like Leslie Blasing, Danica or even the Bongo Dogs
And finally – get up to watch a Sunrise with NOTHING in the way
and watch the day end with friends and a cocktail over the best Bay in Texas
When you want to come down again Amanda – give me a call and check out the South Padre Island Bucket list on FB
Thanks for all the extra suggestions, Andy! I was sadly only there for a couple of days, so I simply didn’t have time for everything!
Just curious why you did not mention The Stables at SPI? Have been riding there many times, along the beach, and it is awesome! Have also taken lessons there for riding but polo lessons are also offered.
I generally only write about things that I experienced myself, and since I went riding elsewhere that’s what I mentioned!
That’s looks like a pretty exhaustive list of things to do! It seems like a lovely little place to visit
I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to, to be honest! Would definitely go back if I was craving a hot destination.
K. But whenever you get back to SPI try The Stables if you get a chance.
Will do!
You know, I’ve been to North Padre and Mustang Islant like a thousand time (I even wrote about how Mustang Island is my favorite American beach: http://bit.ly/2blLLoE )
…but I’ve only been to South Padre for spring break. And it was college, so I don’t really remember it.
I definitely need to go back. Thanks for the Trip Inspo!
You should definitely go back and check out everything else there!
Great Post, Amanda!! Thanks for sharing these 10 great tips. Most of us miss out on small little things and forget to do that extra fun.
It’s also easy to overlook a destination when you don’t know how much it offers!
Oh my so many things to do there! I would definitely go for that scootcoupe, parasailing and horseback riding. Don’t mind the going to see the turtles, too!
All good choices, Dave!
South Padre Island is definitely being added to my travel wish-list! Love the Sea Turtle Inc. and the scootcoupe looks like such a fun way to explore! Thanks for sharing xx
It’s a cool place – and there’s so much to do! I would probably avoid the busy summer months. But the good news is that it’s pretty warm there year-round!
The scootcoupe sounds fun! I remember wanting to do something similar in Vegas last year, but it was fully booked so I went with a jeep tour instead. I’m also all about paddle boarding – it’s such a fun activity once you get the hang of it.
If I lived closer to a large body of water, I would totally buy a paddleboard! It’s a great workout, AND just lots of fun. And yes, the scootcoupes were awesome! One of my favorite things we did, in fact.
Looks like a great place to head to this winter when the snow becomes unbearable! I love the little turtle story. You go, Allison!
It would make a great winter getaway! (It was a little too hot for me in August haha.)