South Padre Island is a barrier island on the south-eastern corner of the state of Texas. With Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico flanking the island, not to mention its proximity to other bodies of water on the mainland, it’s really not surprising that it is one of the country’s top vacation spots. South Padre was first envisioned as the “Miami Beach of Texas” when they were developing the area for tourism in the 1920s. Since then, it has become a perfect getaway for those who want to enjoy the sun, sand, and the sea.
South Padre Island boasts a number of fun summer activities that vacationers would surely love. For those looking for a bit of a thrill, you can try exhilarating water sport activities such as jet-skiing and kiteboarding. Another way to enjoy the island is to simply relax and enjoy the sheer beauty of Mother Nature by basking in the sun on the island’s picturesque beaches. You can also explore the shores on a horseback by joining ecological tours, or maybe meet some friendly aquatic mammals by joining a dolphin-watching excursion.
Aside from the water sport activities mentioned above, another popular water sport here is recreational fishing. It’s truly an angler’s paradise as the island offers a lot of fishing locations where one can target different fish species—from the relatively easy to catch fish like tarpon, snook, redfish, speckled trout, and flounder; to the heavyweights like amberjack, dorado, tuna, marlin, and sharks. You can fish onshore via surf, pier, or jetty; or nearshore via kayak; or offshore via South Padre Island fishing charters. So whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you can surely enjoy fishing in this beautiful summer destination.
Plus, if you’re the competitive type, you can join the island’s several fishing tournaments that happen every year. One of the most popular fishing competitions in the country, the Texas International Fishing Tournament, is held here every summer. Other fishing tournaments include Ladies Kingfish Tournament, Redfish Rodeo, and the Hooters Tournament.
If you’re planning to visit this beautiful island on your next trip, here are some activities you might want to check out:
With ample opportunities to catch different fish species, South Padre Island is a place anglers should not miss. You can either hire a guide or charter a fishing boat and experience island fishing at its best. A great way to end your fishing trip is to take your fresh catch to a restaurant where a chef can turn it into a hearty meal.
Book a South Padre Fishing Charter today and find out for yourself why it is the state’s fishing mecca.
Of course, the first thing you should do on such a picturesque island is to wallow in its sandy beaches that stretch for more than 30 miles. Enjoy the sun, swim in its pristine waters; or to make your stay more memorable, go horseback riding—you know, doing it the Texan style.
With exciting nature tours such as dolphin watching, island hopping, and Laguna Madre nature trail tours, you’ll get the chance to actually come face to face with the local fauna. You can also visit the Sea Turtle, Inc., an organization dedicated to the overall welfare of sea turtles. Here you will not only get the chance to see sea turtles up close, but you will also help the organization’s worthwhile cause.