Things to Do on South Padre Island

The Palms Resort on South Padre Island offers a full lineup of amenities for both leisure travelers and Winter Texan guests staying long-term. Highlights include direct beach access from every room, a heated beachfront pool, free Wi-Fi and free parking, the on-site Cafe On The Beach restaurant and full bar, pet-friendly rooms with a clear pet policy, beach chair and umbrella rentals through SPI Umbrella & Chair Rentals, and a staffed front desk daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Our location at 3616 Gulf Blvd puts you in the center of South Padre Island, within walking distance of restaurants, fishing, the Sea Turtle Inc rescue, the South Padre Island Birding Center, and SpaceX launch viewing locations.

On Island Attractions

  • Fishing reel mounted on a boat with a fishing rod extending into the ocean under a blue sky.

    World Class Fishing

    Fishing Tournaments, guided bay fishing, group deep sea charters, jetties fishing, surf fishing, wade fishing, spear fishing or flounder gigging. There's something for everyone on SPI.

  • Five people riding horses on a beach with water and sky in the background

    Horseback Riding

    2 companies to serve you...southpadreislandadventures.com offers several different types of horseback rides and petting barn & spistables.com offers bay and beach horseback rides and polo lessons. Both are located on the north end of the island.

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  • A close-up of a sea turtle swimming underwater.

    Sea Turtle, Inc

    At Sea Turtle, Inc. our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles; educate the public; and assist with conservation efforts for all marine turtle species.

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  • A small bird standing on wet sand at the beach, with gentle waves and a cloudy sky in the background.

    Birding Nature Center & Alligator Sancturary

    We are the Rio Grande Valley's premier destination for birdwatching. Our unique location on South Padre Island is the perfect place to observe the birds, butterflies and natural wildlife in coastal South Texas. Visit us on South Padre Island, walk the bayfront boardwalks, take a birding tour and explore the natural life of the Rio Grande Valley.

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  • A SpaceX Falcon rocket standing on a launch pad with a large metallic tower and support structures, surrounded by sandy ground and flat landscape.

    Space X

    American private aerospace company designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space technology. The rockets & launches can be seen from the southern tip of South Padre Island.

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  • Large building painted with a mural of orcas and fish, with greenery and stairs in front.

    Whaling Wall

    Internationally-known environmental artist Wyland picked South Padre Island to paint Whaling Wall #53, his only wall in Texas. Wyland is planning to paint 100 walls during his career to educate people on the importance of marine conservation. This attraction is at the convention center.

  • Wooden boardwalk through dense green bushes under blue sky with white clouds.

    Laguna Madre Nature Trail

    A 1500-foot boardwalk overlooking four acres of wetlands next to the South Padre Island Convention Center. Visitors can observe many species of birds and wildlife in their natural habitat.

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  • Sign for South Padre Island Farmer's Market with palm trees, open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    Farmers Market

    South Padre Island's VERY FIRST Farmer's Market is OPEN!!! Operation is every Sunday from 11am-1pm weather permitting. located North of the "Island" at the Shores 8605 Padre Blvd. Find the freshest produce, eggs & seafood!!

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  • Aerial view of a water park with multiple pools, slides, and beach chairs with umbrellas, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.

    Beach Park

    a waterpark that offers day or season passes. Located at the south end of the island.

  • Outdoor restaurant patio with wooden tables and wicker chairs, surrounded by a wooden railing, overlooking a scenic view of greenery and a blue sky with clouds, under a wooden pergola with a ceiling fan.

    Cafe On The Beach

    The Cafe on the Beach serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with such specialties as fluffy, malted pancakes, eggs Benedict, Caesar salad, steak and lobster, crab cakes, fried ice cream and much, much more. Enjoy a delicious meal with a fine wine or a tropical beverage while enjoying the spectacular views.

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Off Island Attractions

  • An aerial view of two fighter jets flying over a green landscape with trees and open fields. One jet has a camouflage pattern resembling a shark's mouth, and the other jet is painted in a silver color with yellow and red markings.

    Commemorative Air Force (CAF)

    TTake an exciting and educating tour through our nation's World War II history at the museum. Located at the Port Isabel Cameron County Airport. This is a 30 minute drive from the Palms Resort. General admission is free but donations are accepted. Open April - October , Wednesday - Saturday 9:30am-3pm or by appointment. Call 956-479-8585

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  • Entrance to Gladys Porter Zoo with a green gabled roof, flowers, and trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

    Gladys Porter Zoo

    One of the top 10 small zoos in the country. The zoo is a 31-acre preserve with more than 1,800 mammals, birds, and reptiles. Located at Ringgold and Sixth streets in Brownsville. Hours 9 – 5 Monday – Friday, 9 – 5:30 Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $12 for ages 14 – 64, $8 for ages 2 – 13, and $10.50 for 65 and up. 956-546-7187.

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  • View of a golf course with a pond, a pathway, and palm trees, with residential buildings in the background near the ocean.

    SPI Golf

    Where sunsets have to be seen rather than described, where the third green looking east over The Laguna Madre Bay must be felt, not featured. South Padre Island Golf Club can only be celebrated first hand, through sight, sound and smell.

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  • A jaguar walking through grass and plants in a natural environment.

    aguna Atascosa Wildlife Preserve

    A 45,000-acre federal preserve for wildlife and bird watching on the mainland. Open daily from sunrise to sundown (about 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.). $3 per vehicle. 956-748-3608.

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