While staying in South Texas, we had many opportunities to explore South Padre Island. This resort town on the Island of the same name had a lot of activities to do and explore.
Of course, the thing we explored most was the beach! South Padre Island (SPI)’s main draw is its miles of white sand beaches on either the Laguna Madre or the Gulf of Mexico.
The island has tons of touristy things to do, and because of that, it can be a bit expensive. However, we did find a couple of free things to do. Like visiting the University of Texas Rio Grand Valley Coastal Studies lab. Though we had to pay for parking, the lab had a little museum section that we were able to look at.
Eating on SPI
We did try a restaurant on the island for lunch one day when Dad’s parents came down for a visit. Lobo Del Mar Cafe was delicious and reasonably priced (for SPI). We spent most of our time on the beach. Back on our Shakedown Cruise, we learned that the kids, especially The Girl, could lose hours just staring at the surf. Plus, who can resist sticking their toes in the sand from time to time?
While Dad was off being a Pirate, Mom and the kids took a walk on the Laguna Madre Nature Trail. Adjacent to South Padre Island’s Bird Sanctuary, this free nature trail is a great spot for birding and spotting other wildlife. While the walk was free, Mom and the kids did have to pay a dollar to access a nearby building to use the restroom. Not a deal breaker, but something to consider. (They did later find bathrooms accessed from outside the building, for free.)
South Padre Island also hosts a turtle sanctuary. We didn’t get a chance to visit these locations. However, it’s nice to know that this little bit of paradise is doing its part to lessen humankind’s impact on the environment.
If you’re visiting South Texas, you should definitely make the time to visit South Padre Island. You won’t be disappointed!