andy bowie park
Located on the northern end of South Padre Island, this park provides beachfront
picnic pavilions, concessions, children's playground, shower facilities, 18 full
hook-up RV spaces, and a ranger station. Group rental facilities are also
available with prior arrangement for beach parties. 761-3704
edwin k. atwood park
Located 1.5 miles north of Andy Bowie Park on Park Road 100, this park offers a
beachfront picnic pavilion, a concession, and a beach access road, which
provides twenty miles of beach driving. 761-3704
aquatic sports
South Padre Island is a dream come true for those that love to play in the water
or soar through the sky. There are several places on the Island to rent just
about anything you can think of that will let you propel through the water, swim
with the fish or soar with the birds. Jet skis, waverunners, kayaks, and banana
boats, just to name a few, can be rented for as little as one-half hour to
whatever your heart 
desires.
Kiteboarding and windsurfing are also popular water sports on the Island, and
the shallow waters of the Laguna Madre and the brisk winds provide the perfect
playground for these activities. There is also a wide array of opportunities to
tour the Island by land and water. From amphibious vehicles to catamarans - we
have it all. Pick your favorite and make a day of it! Don't forget to try your
hand at parasailing or ski diving. Our birds are friendly and enjoy the company.
Swimming with the fish on a half-day or full-day snorkeling trip is another
experience that should be had by all. South Padre Island is the perfect spot to
try those water sports you have only seen on television or read about in book.
Remember all the times you have said - I want to try that someday? Someday is
here - experience South Padre Island!
fishing
Where can you go that you can fish all day and have the restaurant of your
choice cook your catch to your specifications? Get ready to bend your pole along
the surf, on the bay or on a deep sea fishing trip in the Gulf. There are
approximately 600 different species, but the most commonly caught fish are the
red or black drum, spotted sea trout and southern flounder in the bay, and
tarpon, red snapper, king mackerel, amberjack and pompano in the gulf. Choose
from over 60 different charter companies and personal guides to take you on the
fishing trip of your life. For more information call (956) 761-4412.
golf
South Padre Island Golf Club offers a 18-hole championship golf course and is
situated across the Laguna Madre Bay, a short 10 minute drive from South Padre
Island. This par-72 course is home of the Texas Senior Open and presents an
absolutely beautiful lateral view of the Island. Decidedly different with
rolling green hills and "wildlife corridors" of native brush, these
grounds offer an oasis, a wildlife refuge and golfer's paradise all rolled into
one. Golf packages are offered by several of the Island's top resort hotels and
condominiums. For more information call (956) 943-5678.
isla blanca park
On the southernmost tip of South Padre Island, this park is the crown jewel of
the Cameron County Park System. Over one mile of clean, white beach along the
Gulf of Mexico offers abundant beachfront recreational facilities. Enjoy our
picnic and playground areas, the south fishing jetty, restaurants, clubs,
University of Texas Pan American exhibits, and the Chapel By The Sea
nondenominational church. There is also a full-marina with daily charters, a
water park, retail shops and a boat ramp. With nearly 600 R.V. spaces, Isla
Blanca is not only one of the biggest parks in Texas, but also the best. For
more information call (956) 761-5493.
laguna madre nature trail
Cutting through the tall marsh grass are two boardwalks made of recycled
material. Each boardwalk ends in a blind that allows people to become an
unobtrusive observer of a host of birds, fish, turtles, dragonflies, lizards,and
an alligator or two. Located just off to the side of the South Padre Island
Convention Centre, the trail starts at the Warbler Rest Area, a plot of ground
seeded with flowers designed to attract the winged creatures on a year-round
basis. Located 4 miles north of the Queen Isabella Causeway. For more
information call 800-SO-PADRE.
point isabel lighthouse complex
The Point Isabel Lighthouse Complex, located at 421 Queen Isabella Blvd., is
home to the newly renovated Point Isabel Lighthouse and the Keeper's Cottage. In
1852, Congress approved the construction of a beacon in the Laguna Madre to
support the growing ship industry of the South Texas Coast. The Point Isabel
Lighthouse was built to protect and guide ships through Brazos Santiago and the
barrier islands. During the Civil War, the light was closed and the tower was
used as a lookout for both the Confederate and Union armies. The lighthouse was
lit again after the war. In 1880, the lighthouse was renovated to accommodate a
new light system. The lighthouse was officially closed in 1905. In 1952, the
lighthouse was opened as a state park and is the only lighthouse on the Texas
coast to be opened to the public. A replica of the Keeper's Cottage houses the
Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, historic displays, and tourist information. The
Lighthouse Complex is open daily, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call (956) 943-2262.
port isabel historical museum
The Port Isabel Historical Museum located at 317 E. Railroad, housed in the
historic Champion Building, built in 1899 as a dry goods store and residence, is
one of the oldest structures in Port Isabel. Today, the Museum is a
state-of-the-art facility that houses numerous hands on exhibits, audio
presentations and videos that commemorate the colorful history of the Port
Isabel area, the stage of some of the most important chapters of Texas, Mexican
and American History. The museum has two exhibit levels, a theater, gift shop
and one of the largest collections of Mexican artifacts from the U.S. Mexican
War. On the south end of the building is the famous "fish mural"
painted in 1906 by a local fisherman. The Port Isabel Historical Museum is open
Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 PM Call (956) 943-7602 for more
information and current admission prices.
sea turtle,
inc.
Turtles have feelings too. Did you know that picking a turtle up by its shell
without supporting the tummy is like being lifted by our finger, toe nails or
hair? Founded by Illa Loetscher, affectionately known as the "Turtle
Lady", this enviro-friendly organization is dedicated to caring for and
educating the public about endangered sea turtles. Located at 6617 Padre Blvd.
For more information call (956) 761-1720 or go to www.seaturtleinc.com.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:00 PM If you see a sea turtle, call
the TURTLE HOTLINE (956) 380-9677.
the south padre island center
The SPI Center, located at 2 Wallace L. Reed Rd., occupies the only historic
building on South Padre Island. The "Old Coast Guard Station," with
its New England style design and lookout tower, is a local tourist attraction.
The building was built in 1923 and served as an active Coast Guard station until
the 1970's. It was renovated in 1987 to house the University of Texas at
Brownsville/Texas Southmost College's first extension campus. The SPI Center is
home to the University's South Padre Island Technical Education Center. The
center specializes in information technology training and certification with a
testing center onsite. It also houses academic and personal enrichment classes
and is a favorite location for small volume meetings and retreats.
Accommodations are available for groups of 10 to 100. For additional information
or to schedule a tour call (956) 943-0051.
south padre island convention centre sand castle
The South Padre Island Convention Centre is the location for the largest
year-round sand castle in the State of Texas. Sons of the Beach Sand Castle
Wizards, who complete in sand castle building contests throughout the world,
built the sand castle and restore it regularly. They use 45 tons of sand mixed
with an estimated 50 pounds of clay and 200 gallons of water to build the 10
feet tall statue. Built on a 10' X 16' base, it is topped off with an 80%
water/20% Elmer's glue solution. In all, about half a gallon of Elmer's glue is
used to coat the castle.
The sand castle
has become a year-round treat for Island guests, and at times, the foreground is
changed to welcome large groups and conferences, or to mark a special event. The
South Padre Island Convention Centre is located at 7355 Padre Blvd. on the north
end of the Island. The sand castle may be viewed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
South padre
island convention centre Built in 1992, this modern, airy, and colorful building
located four miles north of the Queen Isabella causeway was created to host a
wide variety of events. Primary facilities include 22,500 square feet of column
free exhibit space, 9,000 square feet of flexible meeting rooms, a conference
theater for 300, and a gorgeous view of the Laguna Madre Bay. This is the site
of spectacular sunsets, a wide stretch of sand flats, (which allows vehicular
access to the bay) and miles of undeveloped coast. Visitors have access across
the nearby marsh grass by taking the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, a boardwalk
system that allows nature lovers to watch birds and to spot our resident
alligator family. (See NATURE
TOURISM)
Another
stunningly beautiful site to see at the Convention Centre is the famous
"Whaling Wall #53" by acclaimed environmental artist Wyland. Wyland
wanted to show homage to whales and other creatures of the sea by devoting his
talent to painting 100 walls across the world. His "Whaling Walls"
serve as a perfect way to capture the grandeur of his subjects since drawing
giant whales on small canvases became extremely limiting. The walls of the South
Padre Island Convention Centre provided the 53rd life size canvas for the Wyland
project. Spanning 153 feet in length, covering 3 walls and 23 feet in height, it
took over 111 gallons of paint, 100 volunteers, and nearly four days to
complete. Over 2000 Valley school children plus hundreds of other spectators
were allowed to watch Wyland work throughout the week. The wall was at no cost
to the town and state. Wyland donated his time and artwork, while local
residents, private sponsors, and public organizations donated the paint,
scaffolding, air guns, and lighting. This community involvement paved the way
for "Whaling Wall #53" to be not only the first of its kind in Texas,
but along the entire Gulf Coast.
The South Padre
Island Convention Centre is a top-rated venue to book a meeting, convention,
concert or special event. Call 800-OK-PADRE or email convmtgs@sopadre.com
treasures of the gulf museum
The Treasures of the Gulf Museum, located at 317 E. Railroad, was opened in 2000
and tells the story of the three ill-fated Spanish ships that wrecked off the
northern end of South Padre Island in 1554 near present day Port Mansfield. The
exhibit incorporates murals, artifacts and hands-on activities to interpret this
fascinating event that occurred only 30 miles north of Port Isabel. Actual
artifacts from the shipwreck such as silver planchas, or disks, coins, and
weapons are on display. The Children's Discovery lab is popular with the young
and the young at heart. This hands-on exhibit teaches visitors about marine
Archeology. Hands-on displays allow visitors to try on period clothing and map
out a treasure site. The children's section also has a small-scale ship for kids
to imagine themselves sailing waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The museum also has
a "ship" theater and a nautical-inspired gift shop. The Treasures of
the Gulf Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am. to 4:00 PM Call
(956) 943-7602 for more information and current admission prices.
The university of Texas pan american coastal studies laboratory
The Coastal Studies Laboratory studies and exhibits marine life such as
crustaceans and marine vertebrates, and plant life. A satellite of the
University of Texas Pan American, the lab is open to the public Sunday through
Friday, 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM The lab is also open for group tours, by appointment
only, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 1:30 PM Located in Isla Blanca Park,
near the north pavilion, there is no charge to visit the lab, but there is a
$4.00 per vehicle charge to enter the park. For additional information or to
schedule a tour call (956) 761-2644, e-mail coastal@panam.edu
or check their website at http: //www.panam.edu/dept/csl
