Welcome to South Padre IslandIt’s about time you got down to the tropical tip of Texas. While you’re here, rely on this handy guide to give you the lay of the Island, and the water. As you’d expect, the land is mostly sand that feels good between your toes, and it runs right up to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and idyllic Laguna Madre Bay. Some say it’s home to the most beautiful beaches in the Lone Star State. How you spend the day on them is up to you. Fishing, boating, floating, bird watching, shopping or just beach bumming around, your time is your own. When the sun settles down behind the bay, it’s a sight to behold. The gentle evening comes alive in the nightclubs and restaurants where people, not unlike yourself, gather for conversation, good food, music and dancing. So relax, enjoy all that surrounds you, and think deep happy thoughts. Just remember: Be yourself and you’ll be fine. You’re on South Padre Island – a place you really want to be.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE HISTORY ................................................................. 2-3

THE AREA ......................................................................... 4-5

THE BEACH ..................................................................... 6-7

ECOTOURISM ................................................................ 8-9

SPORTS .......................................................................... 10-11

FISHING ..........................................................................12-13

ISLAND SIDE TRIPS .................................................14-15

KIDS STUFF ....................................................................16-17

GET HERE ANYWAY YOU CAN .......................... 18

MAP ................................................................................. 19-20

MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS .................... 22-23

CUISINE & NIGHTLIFE ....................................... 24-25

WARM RECEPTIONS YEAR ROUND ...... 26-29

ACCOMMODATIONS ....................................... 32-36

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YOU ARE HERE

THE HISTORY

South Padre Island is situated on the

Southern tip of Texas. To the north

lie miles and miles of Texas. Travel just

26 miles in the opposite direction

and you’re south of the border, down

Mexico way. The 34-mile long Island

is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico

and Laguna Madre Bay and linked to

the mainland by the 2 1/2 mile

Memorial Causeway Bridge named

for Queen Isabella. Our history

dates back to Spanish explorer

Alonzo de Pineda who charted it

back in 1519. And people have been

flocking here ever since – about a

million per year. We hope you’re

among them.

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about town

THE AREA

Sun-washed South Padre Island is home

to about 5,000 lucky islanders, although

“Winter Texans” add to that estimate

when temps start dropping up

north. Winters on the Island average

around 65 degrees while the

summers boast a balmy range in

the mid-80s. The historic and quaint

fishing village of Port Isabel is just

across the bridge. You’ll find many

recreational activities there in

addition to the Port Isabel

Lighthouse which affords a

pelican’s-eye view of the Gulf

and Laguna Madre Bay.

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SAND WEARS AWAY YOUR ROUGH EDGES

THE BEACH

Our beaches have got it going on.

The widest and cleanest in Texas,

they’re big enough to handle kite flying,

sand castle building (they give lessons

for that), seaside fitness classes, beach

and watercraft rentals of all kinds,

horseback riding, eco touring, birding,

and cruises galore. Or just rent a

beach umbrella and watch everybody

else doing whatever. You’ll see and do

incredible things. Meet new people.

Make new memories, and explore

parks and places you never knew

existed. After all, that’s what

vacations are for, right? So many

grains of sand to count, so little time.

Go to sopadre.com to pick your

spot on the beach.

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see turtles and then some

ECOTOURISM

Wildlife abounds here. So, naturally,

nature lovers from around the globe

flock to South Padre Island to catch a

glimpse of our rare birds, sea turtles

and Bottlenose dolphins. Over 300

species of migratory birds flit in and

out each year making the Island one

of the best birding spots in the world.

We’re also big on sea turtles known

as Kemp’s Ridley. Adorable and

endangered, visitors can see them

up close at Sea Turtle, Inc., an Island

facility dedicated to their rescue and

protection. Pods of wild dolphins also

can be seen frolicking near the shore

year round. Numerous dolphin watch

boats stand ready to whisk you to

their playground. Visit the SPI

Birding & Nature Center, the Laguna

Madre Nature Trail, the Atascosa

National Wildlife Refuge or

sopadre.com to see more super

natural resources.

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DIVE INTO A BIGGER ADVENTURE

SPORTS

Don’t just sit there. You can be out

jumping waves on a jet-ski or even

jumping out of a plane. There’s

also windsurfing, parasailing, stand

up paddleboarding, kiteboarding

and boogie boarding. You’ve only

scratched the surface. Catch a

catamaran for a snorkeling

expedition. Or strap on a scuba

tank and go deep to scope out

the colorful corals, brilliant blue

and yellow queen angelfish and

other exotic denizens of the Gulf.

And don’t forget your sticks. The

challenging South Padre Island Golf

Club is a short drive

across the bay.

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Cast your CARES away

FISHING

Perhaps you are lured here by our

limitless sport fishing opportunities.

Try your luck from one of many

charter boats, piers, jetties or

beaches. There are all kinds of fish

and plenty of guides available,

well-schooled in the ways of local

fish and fishing. Go online to line

one up at sopadre.com. You could

hook a snook or take on a tarpon.

Red snapper (best when blackened),

sea trout, king mackerel, amberjack –

there are more fish than you can

shake a stick at. Even better, your

catch of the day can be prepared

your way at most

Island restaurants.

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knots tied AND loosened

ISLAND SIDE TRIPS

Getting married? Planning your

honeymoon? Renewing your vows? South

Padre Island provides a wide variety

of breathtaking backdrops and bridal

services to make sure your ceremony is

both beautiful and memorable.

Marine Merchants. You may be on an

Island, but you’re not cut off from

civilization or commerce. Local specialty

shops and boutiques boast unique

goodies and services, while others stock

basics like groceries, souvenirs and

beach gear.

The Art of Vacationing. The art

scene around here goes on year

round and includes community

theater, concerts, fine art shows

and more.

All stress drastically reduced. The

Island’s day spas pamper guests with

therapies including massages, reiki,

seaweed wraps and yoga.

Be sure to visit sopadre.com for all

the added info you’ll need for

your trip.

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Kids, Bring Your Parents!

KIDS STUFF

“There’s nothing to do here,” is

something you never hear around

the Island. Between the Gulf and

the Bay, kids of all ages are easily

amused by Island attractions like the

year-round Schlitterbahn Beach

Waterpark and The Black Dragon

pirate ship. Or you can grab a seat

and try to hold on to it aboard the

twin turbo Thriller Ride. There’s also

kite-flying, dolphin encounters,

sand castle building lessons and

family-friendly movies.

For more ideas, go to sopadre.com.

After all, you can never have too

much fun.

At the tropical Southern tip of Texas, South Padre Island is accessible by

land, air and sea. Go to sopadre.com and map your path to get down here.

Get here any way you can

By land:

From Austin 340 miles

From Dallas 531 miles

From Houston 367 miles

From San Antonio 285 miles

By air:

Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (30 minute drive)

Served by AeroMexico, American Eagle and United Airlines.

Shuttle Service: Rio Gulf Coast Express. flybrownsville.com

Valley International Airport in Harlingen (50 minutes drive)

Served by Southwest, Sun Country and United Airlines.

Shuttle Service: South Padre Island Shuttle. flythevalley.com

Miller International Airport in McAllen (1.5 hour drive)

Served by American, Allegiant and United Airlines. mcallenairport.com

All three airports provide access to South Padre Island. Each offers car rentals,

taxis and shuttles. Please contact the airports for more information concerning all

ground transportation.

Mexico The closest crossing point from South Padre Island to Mexico is through

Brownsville into Matamoros. The latest information from the Department of

Homeland Security concerning crossing the border can be found at sopadre.com.

From El Paso 815 miles

From Mexico City 666 miles

From Monterrey 225 miles

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WELCOME tips & tidbitSFirst stop, the South Padre Island

Visitors Center.

If you have Island-related

questions, the Visitors Center

has all the answers about area

attractions and current events.

Maps are also available.

South Padre Island

Visitors Center

610 Padre Blvd.

South Padre Island, Texas 78597

1-800-SOPADRE

1-800-767-2373

Or, you’re welcome to pay a virtual

visit to sopadre.com.

Hooray for the Red, Yellow & Blue

The Beach Rules

The island has implemented a flag system to inform you about surf conditions.

Watch for these flags and heed their warnings:

1. Red – Heavy surf and dangerous currents.

2. Yellow – Calm to moderate water. Do not assume safe water.

3. Blue – Presence of venomous marine life.

4. The absence of a flag does not guarantee safe water.

To ensure everyone, you and those around you, enjoy their well-deserved beach

vacation, please observe the following:

1. Please do not trash our beautiful beaches. Trashcans are provided for your

convenience. In the event receptacles are full, please take trash with you

for disposal.

2. Glass is not allowed on the beach.

3. While use of small charcoal grills is allowed on the beach, open campfires built

into the sand are not. When cleaning your area, please take your coals with you.

Do not bury your hot coals, as someone could come along and step on them

and be burned; and please do not dump them into trash receptacles.

4. Be considerate of people around you in regards to language and music volume.

5. No dogs off leash.

6. No vehicles on the beach.

Island Hopping AroundThe WAVE is the free shuttle system serving South Padre Island and Port Isabel. There

are a number of convenient WAVE stops in both communities. Or you can wave one

down. WAVE buses run 7am-7pm (extended hours during the summer) and are

equipped with wheelchair lifts (ADA Accessible) and bicycle racks. Go to sopadre.com

for schedules and route maps or call 956-761-3864.

To protect and to SurfThe South Padre Island Beach Patrol monitors beach activities and provides rescue

services. A “mobile patrol” is used to cover all of the City’s beach area. They not only

respond to calls for assistance and caution people on the beach about potentially

hazardous actions, they also provide minor first aid. The Beach Patrol members

also act as ambassadors for the City by providing information to our visitors on

topics ranging from “what kind of fish is that” to “where is a good place to watch the

sunset.” The Beach Patrol is an essential part of making our visitors trip to the beach

a happy and safe experience.

South Padre Island Emergency Phone NumbersCall 911 first for all emergencies.South Padre Island EMS & Police Dept.: 956-761-5454South Padre Island Fire Dept.: 956-761-3040U.S. Coast Guard Station – SPI: 956-761-2668Constable Precinct 1: 956-943-6757

A Hot & Topical Island• Named to TripAdvisor’s List of Top 25 Beaches in the U.S. Also named one of the world’s “Top 30” island beaches by Condé Nast Traveler magazine and a “Top 10” beach by Men’s Fitness and Women’s Day magazines.

• Considered the widest and cleanest beach in Texas.

• Named one of America’s Top 10 Winter Beach Escapes by International Business Times.

• Named as a Best Affordable U.S. Vacation and a Best Family Beach Vacation in U.S. News & World Report’s first-ever Best Vacations.

• TripAdvisor’s top five vacation rental hot spots.

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Find all the information you need for your trip

at sopadre.com

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we’re big on meetings

MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS

We’re big on meetings.

South Padre Island is not only a great

place to enjoy a little PTO (paid time

off), it’s the perfect destination for

business meetings, conventions, special

events, trade shows and more. From

intimate gatherings to full-blown

corporate conventions, the South Padre

Island Convention & Visitors Bureau

staff is well-equipped to make sure

your event goes according to plan –

including registration, housing, activities

for guests and spouses. Call them today

at 800-OK-PADRE or visit sopadre.com.

No ties. No lies.

Believe it or not, paradise has a dress

code. The Island has been officially

designated as a “No Tie Zone.”

No joke. We even like to begin our

conventions with a “tie-cutting”

ceremony. Stick with flip flops, Island

shirts and such and you’ll be fine.

At the center of it all.

The South Padre Island Convention

Centre occupies 30 acres on scenic

Laguna Madre Bay. Its 45,000 square

feet can be configured almost any

way you like. Primary facilities include

22,500 square feet of exhibit hall space,

2,633 square feet conference auditorium

with seating for 225; and 9,000 square

feet of meeting rooms available in a

variety of sizes. In addition, our can-do

Convention Centre staff will make you

the center of attention by providing

personal assistance when needed.

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Have A Lights Out Night Out

CUISINE & NIGHTLIFE

After your day in the sun, a night on

the town is in order. You might feel

like dancing, singing, listening to live

tunes or grabbing a bite followed by a

nightcap. Or two. No problem. There

are over 50 restaurants and nightclubs

on the Island. Much of the fare served

here was fresh-caught not far from

your surfside table – including delicacies

like our famous Gulf shrimp. Did you

know there are 101 shrimp dishes?

And you can try them all right here.

Go to sopadre.com and you’ll find

a surf and turf smörgasboard of

de-lish dining establishments

ranging from casual to the uppity

scale serving breakfast, lunch, dinner

and in-between-meal meals.

So eat. Drink.

And be yourself.

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Our Calendar Is Wide Open

WARM RECEPTIONS YEAR ROUND

No matter the season, any day spent

on the Island is another day in paradise.

Summer is prime family time featuring

Friday night fireworks, warm Gulf

waters and refreshing beach breezes.

Maybe even catch a fish, a wave or a

Catamaran race. Fall is a pretty, cool

time too. Conditions are perfect with

the best winds for windsurfing and

kiteboarding. Winter is far from chilly.

That’s why the Island is especially

popular with business types for

meetings or retreats, as well as Winter

Texans who flee south from snow and

cold. Spring is always a big thing. Not only

is the Island a number one destination

for college students, families around the

U.S. and Mexico flock here for Easter

and Semana Santa. Spring is also a great

time to set sail on a cool breeze.

We specialize in seasonal special events

year round. Check the list here or on

sopadre.com. You’ll see any time is a

good time on South Padre Island.

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Annual

Farmer's Market is held each Sunday, year round, 11:00am - 1:00pm at The Shores.

Fireworks are held each Friday night at 9:15pm beginning Memorial Day weekend

through Labor Day weekend. Fireworks can best be seen bayside between Tarpon

and Swordfish streets.

January

South Padre Island Polar Bear Dip

SPI Penguin Plunge

Longest Causeway Run & Wellness Walk

Winter Texan Winterfest

SPI Market Days

February

Winter Texan Adopt A Beach Clean-Up

Isle Ditter Dog

SPI Market Days

March

Spring Break

Heat Wave Sound Off and Car Show

April

Sand Crab Night Run

Beach-N-Biker Fest

Splash South Padre

Texas Adopt-A-Beach Clean-up

TGSA Surfing Championship

May

South Texas Kiteboarding Roundup

Pedal To Padre Bicycle Tour

Memorial Weekend Fireworks

SPI Beach Volleyball Tournament

Turtle Days

Run the Jail Break Beach Escape

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June

Great Texas Catamaran Race

GBCA Race to the Border

Ladies Beach Half Marathon

July

4th of July Fireworks Over the Bay

Beachcombers Art Show

August

TIFT – Texas International Fishing Tournament

LKT – Ladies Kingfish Tournament

September

SPI Beach Volleyball Tournament

Dive Week

Labor Day Weekend Fireworks

Texas Adopt-A-Beach Clean-up

King of the Causeway Bike Tour

October

Sand Castle Days

Splash South Padre

November

World Championship Shrimp Cook Off

December

SPI Christmas Parade

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

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Find all the latest events at sopadre.com

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Find all the places to stay at sopadre.com

Places In The Sun & Shade

Book A Room. Hotel or motel?

Luxury or laid back? Beach front or

Bay side? With a well-known national

chain or one of the Island’s unique

independents? Most feature

restaurants, exercise rooms, laundry,

swimming pools, WiFi and the works.

Or Go Condo. For longer stays, the

Island has a number of topnotch

rental agencies representing hundreds

of condo units and beach houses. Just

give them a call and they’ll help you

ACCOMMODATIONS

set up house on the beach or by

the Bay. You can make rental

arrangements directly with an

owner on sopadre.com. You can

go either way.

Be A Happy Camper. Load up

the RV or pack a sleeping bag.

We have all you need to make

roughing it as easy

as possible.

HOTELS

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FULL SERVICE

Hilton Garden Inn Beach Resort7010 Padre Blvd.877-782-9444/956-761-8700 enjoyspi.com

Isla Grand Beach Resort500 Padre Blvd.800-292-7704/956-761-6511 islagrand.com

Schlitterbahn Beach Resort100 Padre Blvd.956-772-7873 schlitterbahn.com

Pearl South Padre310 Padre Blvd.800-222-4010/956-761-6551 pearlsouthpadre.com

LIMITED SERVICE

America’s Best Value Inn & Suites – Casa Bella Hotel5601 Padre Blvd. 877-224-7700/956-761-7700 casabellaspi.com

Beachside Inn4500 Padre Blvd.800-865-1777/956-761-4919 padrebeachside.com

Blue Bay Inn & Suites 901 Padre Blvd.

956-761-4350 southpadreinn.com

Charlie’s Island Hideaway120 E. Atol956-761-5622 charliesislandhideaway.com

Clayton’s Resort 6900 Padre Blvd. 956-761-2344 claytonsresort.com

Comfort Suites 912 Padre Blvd.877-774-7848/956-772-9020 comfortsuites.com/hotel/tx467

Days Inn South Padre Island3913 Padre Blvd.800-329-7466/956-761-7831 daysinn.com

Flamingo Inn3408 Padre Blvd.888-761-3375/956-761-3377 flamingo-spi.com

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites6502 Padre Blvd. 888-465-4329/956-761-8844 hiexpress.com

Island Inn3813 Padre Blvd.956-761-8500 southpadreislandinn.com

La Copa Inn 350 Padre Blvd. 866-452-2672/956-761-6000 lacoparesort.com

La Quinta Inn & Suites7000 Padre Blvd. 800-531-5900/956-772-7000 lq.com

Miramar Resort Motel1200 Padre Blvd.956-761-1100

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RENTAL agencies

Motel 64013 Padre Blvd.800-466-8356/956-761-7911 motel6.com

Padre South Hotel – On The Beach1500 Gulf Blvd. 800-313-4626/956-761-4951padresouth.com

Palms Resort3616 Gulf Blvd.800-466-1316/956-761-1316 palmsresortcafe.com

Ramada Limited4109 Padre Blvd.800-272-6232/956-761-4097 ramadasouthpadreisland.com

South Beach Inn120 E. Jupiter956-761-2471 southbeachtexas.com

South Padre Motel204 W. Gardenia956-761-6701 sopadremotel.net

Suites At Sunchase1004 Padre Blvd.866-926-7711/956-761-7711 suitesatsunchase.com

Super 84205 Padre Blvd.800-800-8000/956-761-6300 super8padre.com

Surf Motel2612 Gulf Blvd.800-723-6519/956-761-2831 surfmotelpadre.com

The Inn at South Padre1709 Padre Blvd.956-761-5658theinnsouthpadre.com

Travelodge6200 Padre Blvd.866-601-6200/956-761-4744 southpadretravelodge.com

Wanna Wanna Inn5100 Gulf Blvd.956-761-7677 wannawanna.com

WindWater Hotel & Resort5701 Padre Blvd.956-761-4913 windwaterspi.com

AACE Rental4901 Padre Blvd.800-828-2223/956-761-2223aace-rent.com

Affordable Beach House Vacation Rentals SPI, Inc.5712 Padre Blvd. #3956-761-8750padrebeachhouses.com

Bonita Isla Rentals & Real Estate127 E. Dolphin956-792-3550southpadrebonitaislandrentals.com

Chacon Realty & Rental5800 Padre Blvd., Ste. 205B866-230-5633/956-761-5633chaconrealty.com

HOTELS

RENTAL agencies

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Coastal Lifestyles, Inc.5312 Padre Blvd., Ste. C877-782-9774/956-761-8900vacationpadre.com

Fina Rentals & Real Estate108 Pompano956-761-4588finare.com

Franke Realtors8605 Padre Blvd.800-447-4753/956-761-2606frankerealtors.com

Furcron Property Management4800 Padre Blvd.800-892-6278/956-761-6961furcron.com

Island Services1700 Padre Blvd.800-426-6530/956-761-2649mypadre.com

Latitude 263213 Padre Blvd.956-761-9926latitude26.com

Padre Getaways700 Padre Blvd., Ste. D-1956-761-8888padregetaways.com

Padre Island Rentals3100 Padre Blvd.800-926-6926pirentals.com

Paradise Rentals 210-885-0700paradise-rentals.net

Seaside Services100 E. Swordfish, Ste. D877-544-1066/956-761-6104southpadrebeach.com

Service 242100 Padre Blvd., Ste. 4800-828-4287service24.com

South Padre Beach Houses & Condos3800 Padre Blvd.800-377-3262/956-761-6554sopadrerentals.com

South Padre Resort Rentals1000 Padre Blvd.800-944-6818/956-761-6818gosouthpadreisland.com

Tropical Realty & Rentals108 E. Dolphin956-761-1004tropicalrealtyspi.com

Vacation Villas281-222-0432ezbookvacationhomes.com

Andy Bowie Park7300 N. Padre Blvd.956-761-3704 co.cameron.tx.us/parks/andy_bowie.htm

Isla Blanca ParkPark Rd. 100956-761-5494 co.cameron.tx.us/parks/isla_blanca.com

South Padre Island KOA1 Padre Blvd.800-562-9724/956-761-5665 southpadrekoa.com

CAMPING

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