Padre Island is a barrier island that spans from Corpus Christi to Port Isabel. It’s home to South Padre Island and plenty of natural beauty, including beautiful beaches. Many visitors come here for the warm waters along the coast, but there’s so much more! Here are our top picks for best beaches in South Padre:
Overview of South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a barrier island on the Texas Gulf Coast. It is located in Cameron County, Texas, between the Laguna Madre and Laguna Madre Bay. There are many good beaches in south padre island for you to visit when you’re there.
Isla Blanca Park
Isla Blanca Park is a popular beach, particularly with surfers and fishermen. The waves here can get pretty big, so be careful if you’re not used to swimming in the ocean. No lifeguards are on duty at Isla Blanca Park, so it’s important to keep an eye on children. If you’re looking for a place to spend some time alone or with your significant other, this might not be the best choice—Isla Blanca Park gets pretty crowded during peak hours because it’s such a great spot for people-watching. However, if you have kids and want them to have fun in safe conditions while enjoying nature’s beauty around them, then Isla Blanca Park may be exactly what you’re looking for!
There are a few shaded areas with picnic tables and barbecue grills where you can have a nice lunch or dinner. There’s also a playground for kids to enjoy. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, Isla Blanca Park has hiking trails that lead through the forested area behind the beach. These trails are relatively easy to navigate, but they do get muddy so be sure to wear appropriate shoes if you plan on taking advantage of this opportunity!
Andy Bowie County Park
Andy Bowie County Park is a great choice for families looking for an affordable beach experience. Located near Port Isabel and just north of South Padre Island, this park has everything you need to enjoy the beach in comfort. Bring your own chairs, umbrellas, towels and water toys; the park does not provide any of these items. It does have showers on-site if you want to rinse off before or after swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. This park also has an on-site restaurant that serves Mexican food every day except Sunday!
The park is large enough that you can find plenty of space to relax. It has a wonderful sand beach with plenty of shade trees, as well as a playground area for kids. There are also picnic tables scattered throughout the park so you can enjoy your lunch while watching the waves roll in.
Clayton’s Beach Bar & Grill
Clayton’s Beach Bar & Grill is just south of the South Padre Island Convention Center and across from the Ocean Breeze Water Park. It has a great view of the Gulf of Mexico, making it popular with both locals and tourists. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, complete with a full bar. There are plenty of beach chairs for customers to lounge on as they sip their drinks and enjoy their meals.
The restaurant serves a variety of tacos, burgers, steaks and other meat entrees. It also has an extensive seafood menu that includes shrimp, crab cakes and oysters on the half-shell.
The bar is a popular hangout for locals, especially in the summer months. It has drink specials, live music and karaoke nights.
South Padre Island Beach
South Padre Island Beach is a beach that is full of energy and life! This beach has been named the best in Texas by the Travel Channel, so it’s definitely worth going to.
The sand here is clean and soft, with plenty of room to lay out. To ensure that you have a comfortable experience while you’re there, make sure to bring sunscreen and water bottles (or at least one bottle). There are also public restrooms located near the parking lot. The water here has been tested many times before becoming open for swimming; however, if you are concerned about bacteria or pollution levels in your area then I recommend researching online before heading out there yourself.
If you’re looking for something fun to do while visiting this beautiful beach then check out their daily activities such as volleyball games or crab races! They even have vendors selling food outside near where cars park so if hunger strikes then don’t worry about bringing snacks along because someone will probably sell them nearby anyway 🙂
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark is the world’s largest waterpark, and it’s located in South Padre Island. You can spend a day at Schlitterbahn without even going into the water park. The beach has chairs, umbrellas, grills and picnic tables so you can relax on the shoreline while enjoying food from the popular Lazy Lizard bar & grill or their new restaurant Driftwood Kitchen. If you want to go for a swim in the ocean before heading back inside for some fun in their famous wave pool or take part in one of their many activities like surfing lessons or jet skiing tours.
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark is open from 10am until 5pm. If you want to go for a swim in the ocean before heading back inside for some fun in their famous wave pool or take part in one of their many activities like surfing lessons or jet skiing tours, make sure to check out Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill and Driftwood Kitchen.
Laguna Madre Nature Trail
Laguna Madre Nature Trail is a great place to hike, especially if you want to get away from the crowds. You can see birds and turtles along the way. It’s also a good choice for families with kids who are old enough (nine and up) to handle a hike without getting bored or lost. Dogs are welcome as well! If you’re traveling with friends or family on bikes, you can bring them here too–the path is wide enough for two people riding side by side.
The trail has three parking lots, one at each end of the trail and a third at Indian Lodge, which is near mile marker 9.
Port Isabel Lighthouse Beach
Port Isabel Lighthouse Beach is one of the most convenient places for visitors to experience the ocean, as it’s less than a mile from the Port Isabel Ferry Landing. The beach is popular with tourists, but it rarely gets too crowded. A boardwalk runs from the parking lot to the lighthouse and then straight out through large sand dunes toward open water, making it easy for strollers to access this beautiful stretch of Gulf coastline. This particular beach offers plenty of space for outdoor recreation, including volleyball nets and picnic tables. Lifeguards are always on duty during peak season (10 AM – 6 PM).
The water is usually calm, making it perfect for swimming. However, visitors should be aware of the rip currents that can develop on this stretch of beach during high tide and rough weather. This is particularly important if you have small children or elderly people with you who may not be able to swim out of trouble quickly enough if they get caught in a rip current.
Gulf Boulevard Beach
- Gulf Boulevard Beach is the most popular beach on South Padre Island, located on the southern end of the island.
- This sandy beach has a gradual slope into the water, making it perfect for swimming and fishing.
- The lifeguard station at this beach offers plenty of fun activities like volleyball and surfing lessons to keep you busy while you’re there.
The beach also has a restaurant, restrooms and showers available on site. The parking lot is free and there are plenty of other things to do in the area, like fishing charters.
If you’re looking for a more secluded beach, then South Padre Island State Park is the place to go. This beach is located on the southern end of South Padre Island and has plenty of parking available nearby. The park also has picnic tables and restrooms available on site.
Boca Chica Beach
This beach is a quiet place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The water is clear and warm, with clear skies overhead. If you’re looking for an escape from the noise of South Padre’s tourist-filled center, Boca Chica Beach is your best bet. It’s also great for swimming and fishing—you may even spot dolphins swimming nearby! For more adventurous visitors, kayaking or boating are both popular activities at this end of South Padre Island as well.
The beach itself is only a few feet wide, so you won’t have to worry about crowds. If you’re looking for places to stay near Boca Chica Beach, there are plenty of options nearby. You can find hotels and motels in Port Isabel, which is just a short distance away.
If you’re looking for a quiet beach vacation that’s still close to the action, Boca Chica is your best bet. This end of South Padre Island is known for its clear water and calm waves—there’s plenty of room to spread out without feeling like there are too many people around. You can also enjoy swimming or fishing at this part of the island, so it’s great for families with kids who want to get some exercise in their downtime.
Horse Island
Horse Island is a barrier island located in the Gulf of Mexico, just south of South Padre Island. It has beaches on both sides that are accessible by boat or kayak. Horse Island is also home to fishing and birding spots and offers endless opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment.
The island is also home to the historic lighthouse, which was built in 1875. The lighthouse is open to visitors during the summer months and offers tours of its grounds.
Horse Island is located off the coast of South Padre Island and is accessible by boat or kayak. The island has beaches on both sides that are open for public use, as well as fishing and birding spots. Visitors can also visit the historic lighthouse on Horse Island, which was built in 1875.
South Beach
South Beach is a popular tourist destination, with good swimming and fishing as well as surfing. It’s also great for sunbathing, walking dogs and watching the sunset. Birdwatching is a common pastime here, and dolphins can be spotted from shore in the spring.
The beach has a boardwalk with shops, restaurants and bars. Some of these places offer live music on weekends.
The beach is open year-round, but it’s busiest on weekends and during the summer. It can get crowded during these times, especially on the weekends. People have been known to bring their dogs here, so keep an eye out for them if you don’t like furry friends around.
Steven Yeager is a passionate travel blogger and content creator. When he’s not working part-time at a technology company, he can be found exploring the world and documenting his adventures on his blog, SYTraveling.com. With a love for experiencing new cultures and a talent for capturing stunning photographs, Steven shares his travel experiences with his readers in a way that is both informative and visually stunning. Follow his journey as he travels to some of the most exotic and beautiful locations around the globe, and be inspired to plan your own adventures.