House Rentals in South Padre Island

Like most beachside destinations, South Padre Island excels in seafood and offers fish such as marlin, red snapper, kingfish, and flounder. Why not savor some grilled oysters while watching dolphins in the Gulf? Boomerang Billy's, meanwhile, serves tantalizing "beach-friendly" food such as chicken tacos and burgers, while Dirty Al's thrills visitors with its fried seafood and seafood market. For authentic Japanese fare, head to Kohnami Restaurant which is the island's only Japanese eatery.

For drinking establishments, South Padre Island offers everything from swanky rooftop lounges to hole-in-the-wall bars frequented by friendly locals. For live music, consider Quarterdeck Lounge, which showcases bands from Vegas, Chicago, New York, and all over the U.S. End the day at your South Padre Island condo rental and kick start the next morning with fluffy pancakes and waffles from Yummies Bistro's. SPI pampers its foodies, so dig in!

The best time to visit the island is from September to February when the beach is perfect for sunbathers, watersports enthusiasts, and families. You'll need to keep an eye on the weather between June and August when temperatures start to soar. Late fall brings with it a larger variety of South Padre Island vacation rentals and fewer crowds, while winter appeals to vacationers who come for the sea breezes and magical ambiance.

South Padre Island's biggest claim to fame is its marvelous coastline that runs for miles. For information on water and recreational activities, stop by the South Padre Island Visitors Center. Water enthusiasts will have their hands full on this cheery island: there's jet skiing, surfing, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, windsurfing and more to choose from. There are also dolphin cruises that let you get up-close-and-really-personal to these adorable mammals. Shelling, horseback riding on the beach, tennis, hiking, and biking will keep the land lovers occupied.

While on South Padre Island, consider a course in kiteboarding, wakeboarding, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, or surfing. Rentals and trained staff are at your disposal. If you're in town for the summer, don't miss the dazzling firework displays every Thursday and Friday night at the Laguna Madre Bay, and every Friday and Saturday night over the Gulf of Mexico.

"Spring Break Central" island has its artsy side too! The three most important historic sites to visit are the Port Isabel Lighthouse, the Port Isabel Historical Museum, which houses a huge collection of artifacts from the U.S.-Mexican War, and the Treasures of the Gulf Museum. All three sites can be visited at a discounted price if purchased together, and kids under five can go for free.

Kids will love Gravity Park which features the World's Tallest Reverse Bungee, Go-Karts, climbing walls, frog hoppers, trampolines, and kiddie cars. The Black Dragon Pirate Ship cleverly recreates a seventh-century pirate galleon with superb entertainment onboard.

Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark is a pleasant break from the sweltering heat. Enjoy water rides, a surfing machine, and the sand castle play space. Take the kids bird-watching on the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, which is home to more than 300 species of birds. It is close to the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center which has a bird-watching boardwalk and a fantastic viewing tower. End the day cooling off back at your South Padre Island condo rental in complete privacy.

Seeing friendly and playful bottlenose and spinner dolphins, as they perform their acrobatics, is one of the top activities you can enjoy during your South Padre vacation. For the best experience, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Book dolphin spotting tours in advance: You can join boat expeditions to see dolphins from morning until sunset. They typically last between one and a half and two hours. These tours are very popular, so secure your spot ahead of time, especially during summer.

2. Take videos of the action: Like many wildlife species, dolphins blend into their natural environment well, and dart quickly in and out of the water, which renders taking photos difficult unless you're a pro. For these reasons, taking videos can be much easier, and more entertaining.

3. Observe migratory and local birds: Bottlenose dolphins are the stars of the show and the reason why most vacationers join boat tours. If you take a look at the sky, though, you'll see various bird species, and maybe even rare ones such as the brown pelican and peregrine falcon.

SPI opens its cultural calendar with the South Padre Island Polar Bear Dip in January, followed by the Annual Kite Festival in February. Spring break takes place in March/April while summer features the Beachcombers Art Show and Texas International Fishing Tournament.

The year comes to a spellbinding close with the Harbor Lights Festival where the Bayfront Marina is adorned with festive lights.

South Padre Island is truly an inspiring family destination, so book your condo on SPI and dive on in.

South Padre Island abounds with eateries serving fresh seafood. If you prefer preparing seafood yourself, there are various markets available on the island selling seasonal and imported varieties.

1. Seafood restaurants: There are many restaurants on South Padre serving fish and seafood. Among these, you'll find shrimp, crabs, and oysters on their menus. Options are available for everyone, from budget travelers to discerning gourmands.

2. Stores selling seafood: Fresh shrimp, oysters, and snapper, among other marine delicacies, are available for sale on the island. Some popular markets in the area include Gulf Seafood Market, and Reyes Seafood Products.

3. Fishing: With South Padre's offshore waters abounding with fish, you're likely to have successful and entertaining days out fishing. Some local fish species in the area include tarpon, trout, southern flounder, black drum, and red drum. South Padre's waters are ideal for fishing year round, whether on the beach or in a boat.

1. Cameron County Beach

This is a long beach on the southeast corner of South Padre, featuring golden brown sand contrasting against the gulf's beautiful blue waters. If you're willing to wake up early, you'll admire beautiful sunrises with barely anyone in sight.

2. Andy Bowie County Park

Travelers wishing to enjoy a little solitude during the day should check out this long beach located next to the park. This stretch of beach can be accessed both on foot or in your vehicle.

3. E.K. Atwood Park

Another stretch of beach can be reached at this park further north on South Padre. There's a picnic pavilion and a boardwalk where you can access the expansive sands.