South Padre Island is part of the world’s longest barrier reef island and is located near the most southern portion of Texas. The island is connected to the mainland by the Queen Isabella Causeway, a 2.5 mile four lane bridge. The community of South Padre Island is a township located in Cameron County with approximately 2,500 permanent year-round residents. However, many more "Winter Texans" or part-time residents claim the island as home for large portions of the year. The town's total area is about 1,200 acres on an island approximately 1/2 mile wide from beach to bay and 34 miles long. The island is located at the same latitude as Miami, Florida and enjoys a sub-topical environment with an average winter temperature of 65 degrees, an average summer temperature of 82 degrees and an average 253 days per year of sunshine. South Padre Island is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the east and by the Lower Laguna Madre Bay on the west.
The Lower Laguna Madre is one of only 5 hyper-saline bays in the world. The only saltier body of water in the U.S. is the Great Salt Lake. This unusual bay is home to diverse species of fish as well as sea turtles, dolphins, endangered brown pelicans and numerous other forms of marine and coastal wildlife. With shallow sport fishing in the Laguna Madre as well as great deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, there is a fishing expedition to fit every time frame and skill level.
Besides being a wonderful fishing destination, South Padre Island offers vacationers a wide range of other activites. We are considered to be the best location in the country for kite boarding. Windsurfers also come from all over the country to enjoy our breezy shallow bay. The area is famous for our bird watching and with our "World Birding Center" is one of the best informational and interactive bird watching sites anywhere. The island is also home to "Sea Turtle, Inc.", a sea turtle rescue, education and conservation center. An excellent golf course is only 20 minutes away and we have some wonderful seafood dining and waterfront bars. Other activities that can be enjoyed on our beautiful island include sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, kite flying, bungee jumping, horseback riding, snorkeling, diving, sun bathing, and shore walking to name a few.
Numerous activities are held on the island throughout the year. During the summer, every Friday night is a celebration with fireworks over the bay. The island is host to several large fishing and water sport tournaments. Bike week, “Roar by the Shore" and “Sand Castle Days” are held every October. The island also boasts a large, beautiful convention center that hosts a long list of events such as auto shows, sporting events and our annual seafood and music festival. We like to think that our island offers something for everyone.
Our tropical weather and miles of beachfront make the island a tourist attraction and year-round delight for those of us who are fortunate enough to call South Padre Island our home. Here we put more miles on our bicycles than our cars, and the pace of life is decidedly slower than it is on the mainland. Island time means that you stop to marvel when the sun sets and forsake work for fishing every chance you get. Among the locals, eccentric is the norm, and shorts are acceptable attire anywhere. The island continues to grow in popularity as a family vacation destination. We hope that you will come and experience our little piece of paradise.
The Town of South Padre Island is located at the eastern edge of Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, just 30 miles north of the Mexican border. Bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay, this little slip of land-a 34-mile-long barrier island, 1/2 mile at its widest point-is not your ordinary beach destination. The island's thriving coastal town provides activities and amenities, while wide expanses of unspoiled dunes preserve nature and privacy. According to the 1994 census estimate, about 2,028 residents live in the Town. However, depending on the tourist season, some 2,000 to 5,000 people work on the Island, providing services to the Town's 20,000 to 200,000 visitors. The Town of South Padre Island is linked to the mainland by the Queen Isabella Causeway, a 2 1/2 mile four lane bridge to Port Isabel Texas.
South Padre Island was first charted, in 1519, by the Spanish Explorer Alonzo de Pineda. He named it "Isla Blanca" or "White Island." Then in 1804, Missionary Priest Padre Jose Nicholas Balli established the first settlement on the island after the initial grant was made by King Charles IV of Spain. The Port Mansfield Gulf Channel was completed in 1964 which separated South Padre Island from Padre Island. South Padre Island was incorporated in 1973 and one year later the Queen Isabella Causeway was completed.
South Padre Island is a year-round vacation destination located at the same latitude as Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Island enjoys a sub-topical environment with mild dry winters, and warm breezy summers. With a winter average temperature of 65 degrees, a summer average temperature of 82 degrees and and an average of 253 days of beautiful sunshine, it's no wonder why so many people love South Padre Island.
Dining and Nightlife
Satisfy any craving at South Padre Island, home to some of the finest restaurants, bar and grills around. South Padre Island offers a dining experience like nowhere else in South Texas with fresh seafood, barbeque, steaks, burgers, sushi, fried shrimp and more. So, whether you're dining for a casual family get together or a romantic dinner over the bay, you're sure to find it at South Padre Island.
You haven't been out till you've experienced South Padre Island's unique beach-style night life! South Padre Island bars and entertainment venues offer nightly concerts, events, karaoke, live music, dancing, cocktails, drink specials and spring break parties. There's plenty of night life at South Padre Island, no matter what you're in to, you're sure to have fun!
http://www.sopadre.com/
Restaurants & Entertaiment
Amberjack's Bayside Bar & Grill
209 W. Amberjack
(956) 761-6500
Seafood, steaks, pasta, hamburgers and sandwiches. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Best view on the bay.
Blackbeard's
103 E. Saturn
(956) 761-2962
Seafood, hamburgers, sandwiches, and steaks. Open seven days a week.
Daddy's Seafood & Cajun Kitchen
3409 Padre Boulevard
(956) 761-1975
Jackie's Place
700 Padre Boulevard
(956) 761-4123
Steaks, Seafood, Burgers & Brew. Relaxing Atmosphere, Thursdays & Saturdays - Live Music, Wednesdays & Fridays Children under 11 eat free (kid's menu).
Jessie's Cantina & Restaurant
2700 Padre Boulevard
(956) 761-4500
Mexican cuisine and seafood.
Louie's Backyard
2305 Laguna Boulevard
(956) 761-6406
The Legend began over twenty-five years ago. Louie's Backyard is where the party professionals come for spring break. Louie's has been featured on MTV, 60 minutes, the travel channel, ETV, and Girls Gone wild.
Padre Island Brewing Company
3400 Padre Boulevard
(956) 761-9585
Premium hand-crafted beer. Pizzas, sandwiches, seafood and burgers. Closed Monday.
Palmetto Inn
1817 Padre Boulevard
(956) 761-4325
Mexican food and seafood. Daily lunch specials.
Pelican Station
201 Garcia, Port Isabel Texas
(956) 943-3344
Casual Bayfront Dining
Pirate's Landing
Lighthouse Square, Port Isabel, TX
(956) 943-7611
Seafood, sandwiches, and salads; open daily at 11:30 a.m.
Scampi's
206 W. Aries
(956) 761-1755
Upscale, quiet place to enjoy the sunset and beautiful bay view. Live entertainment.
Scampi's Restaurant & Bar
206 W. Aires
(956) 761-1755
Bayside dining, seafood, pastas, and prime meats.
Sea Ranch Restaurant
1 Padre Boulevard
(956) 761-1314
Waterfront dining and fresh seafood.
Texas Moon
5800 Padre Boulevard
(956) 761-3110
The Lost Galleon Seafood Restaurant
202 Queen Isabella, Port Isabel, TX
(956) 943-4400
All you can eat fried fish! Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.
Wahoo Saloon
201 W. Pike (behind Dairy Queen)
(956) 761-5344
Original sunset bar & grill offering water sports as well.
Wanna-Wanna Beach Bar & Grill
5100 Gulf Boulevard
(956) 761-7688
Ocean front at the Island Inn. Fresh squeezed juices daily, Red Snapper to Mushroom Swiss Burgers, Cajun style.
Yummies Coffee Shop (Sacred Grounds)
700 Padre Boulevard
(956)761-4907
South Padre Island Attractions
South Padre Island's near perfect tropical, year-round weather makes it an easy accessible getaway. Yet, there's more to South Padre Island than just surf and sand. South Padre Island offers a wide variety of activities and attractions to fill your entire day at the beach. Visit the beach waterpark, go horseback riding along the shore, feed the dolphins, or visit historical sites such as the Port Isabel Light hose, SPI Nature Center, museums or the zoo.
South Padre Island Ecotourism
South Padre Island and South Texas are renowned as hotspots for bird watching and nature enthusiasts everywhere. Each year South Padre Island attracts some of the most unique species of birds and butterflies to the area. There have been more than 300 species of exotic and neo-tropical birds sighted at South Padre Island.
In fact, many of the birds found in South Padre Island and South Texas can be found no where else in the United States because they are rare Mexican birds that migrate to the area each year. Peak seasons in the Fall and late Spring months (when special species begin migrating South and back North) attract birding enthusiasts from all over the world.
South Padre Island Fishing
South Padre Island fishing has never been better! One of hottest fishing spots in the world, South Padre Island is one of the best kept secrets for tropical saltwater fishing with waters full of prized tropical game fish. The near perfect weather conditions at South Padre Island allow for year-round fishing in the Laguna Madre, which has waters filled with redfish, trout and flounder with an occasional snook and tarpon among other prized fish.
South Padre Island Water Sports
South Padre Island offers year-round water sports of all kind. Windsurfing and kiteboarding have become one of the most popular water sports on South Padre Island. Several local shops that rent out windsurfing and kiteboarding equipment also offer lessons on South Padre Island. Other popular water sports on South Padre Island include wave riding, parasailing, surfing, skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking. However, the list can go on. A water sport is what you make it and South Padre Island offers what you need for extreme fun on the beach or on the ocean!
Shopping at South Padre Island
South Padre Island's main street, Padre Boulevard is lined with specialty shops, trendy clothing boutiques and stores with unique gift ideas. Many of these South Padre Island shops feature one of kind souvenirs and gifts to remind you of your South Padre Island vacation. T-shirts, sunglasses, swim suits, island style clothing and jewelry plus many other specialty gifts, South Padre Island has features great shopping with competitive prices.
Sightseeing & Tours
You haven't seen South Padre Island until you've taken a ground tour! Full of nature and historical sites, you won't want to miss out on all the culture South Padre Island has to offer. Prefer water and fishing tours? South Padre Island features many local boating tours, as well as fishing. No one knows South Padre Island fishing like the local tour guides. They offer fishing tours around the Laguna Madre Bay guaranteed to catch you lots of prized game fish!
Golfing at South Padre Island
South Padre Island offers two miniature golf courses ready for fun, recreational golfing. For the more challenging golfer, the South Padre Island Golf Club located nearby on the mainland in Laguna Vista offers a challenging 18-hole course for skilled and beginners golfers alike.
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