Tourist Attractions in South Padre Island

Most popular sightseeing attractions in South Padre


Visit Andy Bowie Park, a beachfront picnic pavilion that includes children's playground and shower facilities as well. Groups can book it for beach parties.

Isla Blanca Park

Abundant beachfront recreational facilities like picnic and playground areas, the south fishing jetty, restaurants, clubs, University of Texas Pan American exhibits, and the Chapel By The Sea non-denominational church make this one mile pristine white sand beach a tourist hotspot. Here you can also enjoy a full-marina with daily charters, a water park, retail shops and a boat ramp.

Laguna Madre Nature Trail

Travel through any of the two broad walks carved out through the tall marsh grass and observe a host of exotic birds, fish, turtles, dragonflies, lizards and an alligator or two.


The Point Isabel Lighthouse Complex Reopened in 1952, as a state park, it is the only lighthouse on the Texas coast to allow public viewing.

Sea Turtle, Inc.

Founded by Illa Loetscher, affectionately remembered as the "Turtle Lady", this eco-friendly organization is dedicated to caring for and educating the public about endangered sea turtles.

South Padre Island Center

The sole historic building on South Padre Island, this Victorian style building dates back to 1923 and sits on The Old Coast Guard Station formerly serving as an active Coast Guard station until the 1970s.


South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Center Whaling Wall #53
This 1992 modern, airy colorful structure was erected four miles north of the Queen Isabella causeway and was meant to host a wide variety of events.

The Treasures of the Gulf Museum

The museum narrates the tragic story of the three ill-fated Spanish ships wrecked off the northern end of South Padre Island in 1554 near present day Port Mansfield, 30 miles north of Port Isabel. There are various murals, artifacts and hands-on activities to give the visitors a close look at this event. Some cctual artifacts from the shipwreck like silver planchas, or disks, coins, and weapons are included in the exhibits as well.

North Padre Island National Seashore

This is believed to be the longest barrier island in the world, extending from Corpus Christi almost to the Mexican border, covering an extensive stretch of 113 miles with much of that part of the national seashore. You can come here by charter boat from Port Isabel.

Other attractions include

The Laguna Madre Nature Trail

Edwin K. Atwood Park

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

Port Isabel Historical Museum

University of Texas Pan American Coastal Studies Laboratory

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