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It’s summertime, and the living is easy on South Padre Island, Texas, which is why you are considering our island home for your next summer vacation. This guide to the top 5 summer activities in South Padre Island will help you start your planning!
Water Sports in the Gulf
South Padre Island’s position on the Gulf elevates it above other vacation destinations. Some of our favorite activities in South Padre Island include surfing, kiteboarding, and parasailing, but if you prefer more relaxing activities, such as kayaking, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding, those are available as well. The companies listed below will help you prepare for your outings.
South Padre Surf Company
- Address: 1 Bait Shop Rd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
- Hours: 8 AM to 9 PM
- Surfboard Rentals
Prokite South Padre
- Address: 5009 Padre Blvd #3, South Padre Island, TX 78597
- Hours: 10 AM to 3:30 PM
- Kiteboard & Windsurf Lessons
Bayside Water Rentals
- Address: 211 W Swordfish St, South Padre Island, TX 78597
- Phone: (956) 660-6645
- Walk-up rentals available
Dolphin Watching Tours
Did you know that dolphins can hold their breath for up to 7-10 minutes? If not, you will learn more about this fact and so many others when you participate in a dolphin watching tour with one of the companies listed below.
The Original Dolphin Watch
- Address: 33256 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
- Phone: (956) 761-4243
- Tours
Isla Tours
- Address: 33256 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
- Phone: (956) 761-4752
- Tours
Breakaway Cruises
- Address: 33384 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
- Phone: (956) 761-2212
- Tours
Horseback Riding on the Beach at Sunset
A summer in South Padre Island would not be the same without a romantic horseback ride on the beach at sunset. South Padre Island Adventure Park is where you need to go to experience this wonderful adventure, which is surprisingly reasonable in price. Their “Spectacular Sunset Ride” will take you along the shore’s edge, across sand dunes, and to some of the more remote areas on the island. In addition to those stunning sunset views, this adventure also offers the chance to spot island wildlife.
- Address: 21040 Ocean Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
- Hours: 9 AM to 6:30 PM Tuesday-Sunday (Opens 8:30 AM Thursday)
- Horseback Riding
Kayaking Through the Laguna Madre
For those who have never kayaked before, the crystal-clear waters of the Laguna Madre are also shallow, making it the perfect place to start. Calm, blue, and a haven for wildlife, the lagoon offers one of our favorite activities on South Padre Island, with or without a kayak. Bird Island Basin is known to be the top spot for easy paddling, and the waters can be accessed from the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. Those who like to combine sports, fishing, and kayaking seem to go together naturally, with the waters serving up redfish and speckled trout. Kayaks can be rented from Bayside Water Rentals (mentioned above), which provides basic instruction and group discounts.
Zip-Lining Adventures and ATV Tours
Our final top activity for summer in South Padre Island combines two daredevil experiences: ziplining and ATV tours. Guests can choose to do either of these wonderful activities, or they can do both, exploring the landscape of SPI from the sky or on land.
South Padre Island Adventure Park
By now, you have probably figured out that South Padre Island Adventure Park is the center of fun outdoor activities, and their zipline adventure is another example. We love their two pricing options: a single trip for $49 or 45 minutes of unlimited rides for $69. We also love the views, the chance to fly with our partners on their side-by-side lines.
Sand Monsters
Sometimes you just have to go fast, and Sand Monsters understands the desire for speed, offering night sessions, sunset tours, and solo adventures you will never forget. This all-ages adventure activity on South Padre Island truly offers no limitations. Children too young to ride in the ATV can be buckled into your car seat, perhaps encouraging a lifelong love of the sport. Offering a great team building adventure and perfect for birthdays, every day is the ideal day to have fun at Sand Monsters.
- Address: 23290 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
- Hours: 12 PM to 6 PM (Opens 9 AM Sunday)
- Track Info
Book Your Summer Vacation Rental Today
Remember the summer days of your childhood? Every day stretched out before you filled with possibility, and real life became a distant memory. Summer on South Padre Island will be like that again, especially when you choose our vacation rentals for your home base. Reserve your favorite retreat today!
