Labor Day has come and gone. Summer is officially over at South Padre Island, but the island never shuts down. The Texas heat drops from the century mark into reasonable double digits where it remains through the winter. Young people are back in school. Time to take advantage of this serene paradise of white beaches, luxurious hotels, fishing and casual dining.
Sunset across Laguna Madre Bay
Hotels, restaurants, shopping, fishing, Dolphin watching, parasailing, Schlitterbaun and the Sea Turtle rescue center only scratch the surface of what South Padre has to offer visitors.
Click on video of South Padre Island:
The 2 and 1/2 mile long Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge connects South Padre Island to Port Isabel and the great State of Texas. The 34 mile island claims 5,000 year round residents and over 1 million visitors each year. Southwest Airlines has multiple daily flights into Harlingen, only an hour’s drive. Other major airlines fly into Brownsville and Harlingen.
A trip to South Padre would be incomplete without a visit to Ila Loetscher’s Sea Turtle rescue center located at the east end of the island. In 1977.
Free presentations about the work at the Sea Turtle Rescue Center
Ila founded the center to rehabilitate injured sea turtles, educate the public about the environment and marine life and to help the turtle population recover from near extinction. Each year 40-100 sea turtles are rehabilitated and returned to the wild. Over 80,000 visitors come to the research center to listen to programs and learn how the turtles are injured. The Sea Ranch works diligently to save their lives and return them to their natural habitats.
A small donation is suggested. However, once you see the great work done by the center, you’ll want to double that amount.
As many times as I’ve visited the island, I’ve never gone on a Dolphin Watch tour. Tim O’Leary, owner of American Diving, suggested the Ecotour. The crew of the Double Sunshine – great guys by the way – net marine life as the boat cruises the Laguna Madre Bay. Then they do a “show and tell”
Butterfly Ray aboard the Double Sunshine, Original Dolphin Watch
to young and old alike about the different sea life they have collected. We were able to see and touch small fish, sea spiders, star fish and a butterfly ray. Our catches remain in a tank until they can be released and returned to their underwater home. To book your Original Dolphin Watch trip, logon to www.theoriginaldolphinwatch.com Or call: (956) 761-4243
After you’ve watched the dolphins play, walk across the street to Schlitterbahn. Mike Bigelow, Director of Marketing and Sales, and his assistant, Kelly, gave me a tour of the park. Schlitterbahn has recently completed a resort hotel and an indoor water park. Mike gives us some details about the fun adventures you can experience at Schlitterbahn.
Schlitterbahn opens a new resort on South Padre Island
If you are in search of more adventurous activity, how about some parasailing, banana boat rides, surfing, deep sea fishing, bungee jumping or sandcastle building? While I was touring on the Dolphin Watch boat, the sky was filled with huge sails. What a great site to watch these monsters rise into the sky and give the rider a bird’s eye view of the area. To book a sail, Contact Sonny’s Beach Service at 956-761-5556 or website – www.sonnysbeachservice.com
If Deep Sea fishing, either bay or Gulf, is on your agenda, I recommend Osprey Cruises. Osprey Cruises provide good service and they are ecological minded. Contact them at 888-867-7739 or web address: www.ospreycruises.com
On the bay side of the island are those tall white metal cranes with the cages and ropes attached for bungee jumping. Even though I’m too chicken to try it, I do enjoy watching others as they fall through the air, the adrenaline rushing through their bodies.
Each year, South Padre Island has a sandcastle-building contest. This year’s date: October 5th – 7th. Even if you don’t feel sand creative, these are fun and inspirational sculptures.
Dining has something for everyone from McDonald’s to
Boomerang Billies Beach Bar
Boomerang Billies Beach Bar to the more elegant atmosphere at La Hacienda. I promise, you won’t go hungry on South Padre Island.
For more information about fun in the sun at South Padre Island, contact the Chamber of Commerce: call (956) 761-4412 or website – www.spichamber.com
Location: 600 Padre Boulevard South Padre Island, TX 78597
