'''South Padre Island''' [http://www.sopadre.com] is a small resort town on the southern tip of '''Padre Island''' off the coast of Texas, close to the border with Mexico. It is a popular spring break destination for college students.
Understand
Incorporated in 1973, it lies just across Laguna Madre, the bay separating island from mainland. Not surprisingly, the East side of the island is referred to as the "gulf side" by locals, and the West side, the "bay side".
Get in
By plane
South Padre Island is served by three airports, with daily service primarily to Dallas and Houston.
'''Valley International Airport''' [http://www.flythevalley.com/], in nearby Harlingen, is served by Southwest Airlines, Continental ExpressJet, and Sun Country Airlines.
'''Brownsville/South Padre Island Airport''' [http://www.flybrownsville.com/] is served only by Continental.
'''McAllen Miller International Airport''' [http://www.mcallenairport.com/] is served by American, Continental, and Allegiant Air.
By car
Texas State Route 100 connects South Padre Island to the city of Port Isabel on the mainland, and continues on to meet US Route 77/83 between Harlingen and Brownsville. Texas State Route 48 links Port Isabel with Brownsville. If you will be landing at McAllen Miller International Airport, US Route 83 directly connects the airport to Texas State Route 100, passing through Harlingen en route.
By bus
Catch the $2 Rio Transit bus from downtown Brownsville to its last stop in Port Isabel, and catch the free Wave from there. The Wave runs every half hour and takes you all over South Padre as far as the Visitors Center on the north end.
By boat
There are no ferry boat services, but if you have your own boat, just point yourself to the place on the Gulf of Mexico where Texas meets Mexico and you're at South Padre Island! There's several marinas both on South Padre and at Port Isabel.
'''Sea Ranch Marina''' - offers transient slips on a space available basis [http://www.searanchmarina.net/]
'''Anchor Marina Park''' - deep water slips on the Port Isabel side of the causeway [http://www.anchormarinapark.com/]
Get around
By bus
'''The Wave''' [http://www.townspi.com/departments/planning/the%20wave/newwave.html] is South Padre Island's free public bus line. Buses run along the Padre Blvd. strip and across the bridge to Port Isabel. Wheelchair accessible and FREE (The Wave runs from 7AM to 7PM.)
By car
South Padre Island has only one main road: Padre Boulevard, which is part of Texas State Route 100. There are two parallel side streets, Gulf and Laguna. There are several taxi-cab companies, with fares starting at around $5.
See
The best sight to see here is the beach, which stretches for miles.
The lighthouse in Port Isabel was completed in 1852 and offers a spectacular view of the sea.
Port Isabel is home three museums [http://www.portisabelmuseums.com/], one of which is the lighthouse.
Do
The South Padre Island Visitors Center provides detailed information about accommodations, activities and events related to boating, sailing, fishing, and seashore recreation. M-F 8AM-5PM; Sa-Su 9AM-PM a half-mile north of the causeway at 600 Padre Blvd. Telephone +1-956-761-6433, or +1-800-SOPADRE (767-2373) U.S. and Canada.
South Padre is known for its water sports, including jet skiing; bay, surf, and deep-sea fishing; parasailing, sailing, dolphin cruise, and windsurfing. Other island activities include bicycling, tennis, shelling, and horseback riding on the beach. The popular Laguna Madre Nature Trail for nature enthusiasts and bird-watchers is north of the city next to the convention center.
'''South Padre Island Sailing Charters''', [http://www.sailspi.com].
'''Sea Turtle Rescue Center''', [http://www.seaturtleinc.com/].
'''Breakaway Cruises''', dolphin watch cruises and parasailing, [http://www.breakawaycruises.com/]
Buy
On The Beach Surf Shop. 105 Padre Blvd. 56-761-1194 . ww.onthebeachspi.com. Great store selling casual sports wear, beach wear, surf accessories and kiteboarding accessories, etc.
One Particular Harbor. 113 Padre Blvd. 956) 761-7900. Offering tropical gifts, home decor, Island casual clothing and accessories, lighthouses, windchimes, tropical art, skin care products, candles, soap, ...
</buy>
Ocean Motion. 309 Padre Blvd. 956) 761-4055. ttp://surfsupspi.com/om. Beach wear and clothing for all ages, including board shorts, t-shirts, foot wear, sunglasses, bathing suits, and beach accessories.
</buy>
Cloud Nine. 303 Padre Blvd. 956) 761-9262. Tobacco and smoking accessories, art, etc.
Inkredible. 301 Padre Blvd. 956) 761-3300. Tattoo shop
Shell World. 311 Padre Blvd. 956) 761-3300. Beach souvenirs and accessories
Treasure Trove. 504 Padre Blvd. 956) 761-4557. VERY nice consignment shop-everything like new and many tasteful and eclectic items.
Paragraphs Book Store. 505 Padre Blvd. 956) 433-5057. Bookstore selling mostly new but some used. Very active, with author signings, local charity events, poetry readings, etc.
Ship Shape. 212 Padre Blvd. 956) 761-2111. ttp://www.shipshapespi.com. Beach accessories, floats, souvenirs, sportswear, rentals
B & S Kites. 812 Padre Island Blvd. orth of the Causeway, on Right hand side. . 56-761-1248. They carry many different styles of kites, spinners, chimes ,etc. among other souvenirs, many unusual items.
Eat
Amberjacks Bar and Grill. 09 W. Amberjack. Fresh seafood and great ambience on a spacious deck overlooking the bay.
Blackbeard's. Fresh seafood, adequate beer selection, a bit pricey
<eat name="Wanna Wanna">Good ceviche with corn chips, US$6.95, fish sandwich with French fries, $5.95</eat>
Padre Island Brewing Company. adre Boulevard and Saturn. Handcrafted local brews include Speckled Trout Stout; free wireless for customers
Sunset Cafe and Grill. adre Boulevard. A bit pricey for the quality (American "cheese", ugh!), and playing country music, but free wireless and pleasant service
Jake's Bar & Grill. 500 Padre Blvd. adre Blvd and E Amberjack. 56-761-5012. 1am-2am. Casual locals hangout specializing in Mexican food. Also features seafood, steaks, burgers, and daily lunch and dinner specials. Full bar, big patio and game room with pool, darts, video games, and jukebox in the back.
Boomerang Billy's. 612 Gulf Blvd. ehind Surf Motel. 56-761-2420. Great beach bar behind Surf Motel-EXCELLENT chicken tacos, burgers, shrimp, etc.-"Beach friendly" food. There's a pool, volleyball court, wide open view of the beach, VERY cool bartenders, live entertainment, great drinks.
Texas Moon. 800 Padre Blvd. 956) 761-3110. ttp://www.texasmoonspi.com. Seafood, steaks, burgers, pizza, music.
Sea Ranch. 3330 State Park Road 100 . 56-761-1314. ttp://searanchrestaurant.com. Seafood and steaks.
Drink
Padre Island Brewing Company. 400 Padre Blvd.. 956) 761-9585 . Best beer on the island, a fun rooftop dining and drinking area, and some downright tasty food make it a great place to hang out in the evening.
Louie's Backyard. ulf Blvd. Big nightclub with several levels, a restaurant, sports bar and local's area. NTN Trivia, pool tables, outside dance floor.
Jake's Bar & Grill. 500 Padre Blvd. adre and E Amberjack. 56-761-5012. 1am-2am. Casual locals hangout specializing in Mexican food. Also features seafood, steaks, burgers, and daily lunch and dinner specials. Full bar, big patio and game room with pool, darts, video games, and jukebox in the back.
Coral Reef. 401 Padre Blvd. Hole-in-the-wall with stiff drinks, karaoke, and late-night party crowd
Boomerang Billy's. 612 Gulf Blvd. 956) 761-2420. Great beach bar behind Surf Motel-pool, volleyball court, wide open view of the beach, VERY cool bartenders, live entertainment, great drinks.
</drink>
Club Pelican West. 10 Padre Blvd. Suite 101. 956) 761-4647. ttp://www.clubpelicanwest.com. pm-2 am. Live music venue.
Sleep
Visitors find wide range of accommodations from campgrounds and family motels to high-rise luxury hotels and condo rentals, marinas and seaside cottages.
Blue Bay Inn. 01 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597. 56-761-4350. ttp://www.southpadreinn.com. Swimming pool, free breakfast.
Suntide II Condominiums. 400 Gulf Blvd. 956) 761-4959.
Suntide III Condominiums. 000 Gulf Blvd. 956) 761-1307.
La Internacional Condos . 008 Gulf Blvd. 956) 761-1306.
Sunchase IV Resort . 004 Padre Blvd. 956) 761-6818.
Get out
Cross the bridge to get back to the nearby port town, Port Isabel. It has many restaurants, souvenir shops, Wal-mart, HEB, Beall's, Movie Gallery, etc.
Contact
Free wifi
<listing name="SPI Visitor Center" address="Padre Boulevard" directions="it's a Wave (free local bus) stop">SSID="SPI Visitor Center"</listing>
<listing name="Sunset Cafe and Grill">For customers, SSID="Sunset Cafe"</listing>
<listing name="Padre Island Brewing Company">For customers, SSID="Brew Pub Wireless"</listing>