Things To Do
There’s no shortage of things to do on South Padre Island! For starters, we’ll point you to the South Padre Island website: www.sopadre.com – if you just want to hunt around.
For our personal favorites and recommendations, see below:
Fishing
Licenses: Fishing licenses are required in Texas. If you are only planning to fish off the pier at the house, a license is still required, although I can tell you that I only know of one time the game wardens have stopped at our pier in the past 27 years. Temporary licenses are available. Find more info here.
Off the Puesta Del Sol Dock: From the dock, you can catch trout, redfish, and snook. At night, you can fish with live shrimp under the lights. This is most effective when you can actually see the trout swimming in and out of the lights. Redfish are usually caught at the dark edges of the light or directly under the pier. Snook are usually caught under the pier or around the pilings.
The best way to fish with live shrimp is to “free shrimp”, where you only tie a treble hook to your line and nothing else, and let the shrimp swim freely under the lights. You can also fish on the bottom with a lead weight and shrimp, finger mullet, or live croaker. This is a great way to catch redfish or occasionally black drum.
The best time to catch trout under the lights is when the tide is coming in strong. The house is right on a channel, and schools of trout move through the channel with the rising or falling tide. Although the trout have been somewhat scarce the past few months under the lights, renters have done very well catching redfish on the bottom. I have been told that fishing on the bottom works well sometimes during the middle of the day.
Bait: Check out Jim’s Pier on South Padre Island (956) 761-2865 or cross the bridge into Port Isabel and visit Quick Stop (Bait Shop) (956) 943-1159
Our go-to guides: Fishing with the Pettys – experts of 50+ years!
Boat Ramps: There is a boat ramp 8 blocks North of the house on Polaris Street next to Sunset Condominiums (a tall white building on the bayside north of the bayhouse). Please let us know if you need more information.
Food
South Padre Island is full of great dining options. Try some of our favorites:
Louie’s Backyard: Most people go for their island-famous all-you-can eat prime rib & seafood buffet. Stay for great bay views, weekend firework shows, and upstairs nightclub!
Wanna Wanna Beach Bar & Grill: A small bar and grill right on the beach with fantastic fried shrimp, burgers, fries, & drinks. Try their signature Wanna Wanna drink!
Dirty Al’s: Excellent seafood on the southern tip of the island. Try their blackened fish tacos!
Longboards: Live music & good seafood right on the bay!
Daddy’s: Caught some fish? Take if over to Daddy’s and have them cook it the way you’d like!
The Palms: Boutique cafe with seafood and healthy options right on the beach!
Fun
Beaches, sandcastles, waterparks, wildlife viewing, water sports – all and more are readily available across South Padre Island!
Beaches: There are 15-18 public beach access points along Gulf Boulevard, and there is one just south of Esperanza Street on the east side of the island. The island is approximately ½ mile wide, so it is a ½ mile walk from the bayhouse. All of the beach is open to the public, even in front of any hotels or condominiums, although parking is restricted at many of the hotels and condos to owners/guests. There is parking near any of the public beach access points along Gulf Blvd. Many areas offer chair and umbrella rentals for the day. None of the public beach access areas have public restrooms with the exception of Isla Blanca Park on the southern end of the island or Andie Bowie Park on the north end of the island.
Our favorite accesses are those at Wanna Wanna Beach Bar & Grill, Clayton’s Beach Bar & Grill, or the open accesses on the North end of the island where you’re likely to have much of the beach to yourself!
Sandcastles: It’s easier than you think! Forget the cheesy molds and trying to pound dry sand into submission…. We have discovered a better way and we’re eager to share it! Contact Sandy Feet today!
Beach Park Waterpark: Great water rides! Free parking!! Family-friendly fun!! Nothing’s better than a day at the Beach, Beach Park at Isla Blanca Beach Waterpark on South Padre Island!
Water Cruises: Home to the most wild dolphins in North America, South Padre Island is a fabulous place to enjoy a dolphin watching tour. Spinner and bottle nosed dolphins are abundant in the area and can be seen year ‘round. Visit Breakaway Cruises to go out and see them!
Water Sports: Parrot Eyes is one of the biggest Watersport Centers on South Padre Island. Call or contact them ahead to make reservations!
Sea Turtles: Sea Turtle, Inc. aims to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles, educate the public, & assist with conservation efforts for all marine turtle species. Visit them on South Padre & if you’re lucky, join them release baby sea turtles out into the ocean!