Anyone considering coming to Texas for spring break will, of course, want to know the 13 best things to do in South Padre Island. For that reason, inertia Tours will give you the holy grail of lists for you and your friends to knock out why down on the Tropical Gulf Coast! We present these in no particular order, and of course, each person’s unique tastes will come into play
- Eat fresh shrimp or oysters. Like Forest Gump, you can get Shrimp (literally!) served over 100 different ways. SPI is the shrimping capital of the USA, and the oysters are fresh from the beds in the Laguna Madre Bay. Fried shrimp basket at the best place on the Island Dirty Al’s runs $13 per person. Gourmet, Chef-prepared at South Padre’s Best Fine Dining F&B restaurant entrees run $30 to $50 per person.
- Go bay fishing. The Island has some of the best shallow sports saltwater fishing in the world. The local guides guarantee you catch fish with them, or you actually do not have to pay! Cost varies – private boat, guide, 4 people 4 hours with bait/tackle is $400. Group bay fishing trip with a large vessel, bait/tackle is $40 per person.
- Rent one of the many open-air golf carts or a Polaris open-air two-seater cycle. Cost is about $100/hour or $350 for an entire day
- Go see Sea Turtle Inc, the largest sea turtle rescue & rehab centre on the Gulf Coast of the US. Cost is $10 to enter. (note: all Inertia trips include entry FREE of charge!)
- Take a surfing lesson with South Padre Surf Co. The Gore’s have amazing lessons for about $50 per person, with the lesson and board. spadre.com
- Drive to end of Highway 100 on the north end of the Island (about 7 miles from the last building you see). Park the car, walk 100 yards to the ocean and see an immense amount of seashells to pick. Dog-friendly, no leash required. Cost = FREE as all beaches are PUBLIC property in the State of Texas
- See Clayton’s Beach Bar, the largest beach bar in Texas. This is also a massive spring break concert venue hosting marquee artists select weeks of spring break. For 2020, we have DJ Diesel (Shaq himself) as well as Sawatee performing LIVE at Clayton’s. Cost: $20 general admin / $30 VIP. During the day Clayton’s is FREE entry
- Try sipping a Charlies Cherry at Louie’s Backyard. Louise is perhaps the 2ndmore famous spring break bar after Senor Frogs in the entire world. This bayside, 3 level nightclub has good food, plus the massive 32 oz tropical punch Charlies Cherry. Be careful with these….very potent!
- See Schlitterbahn Waterpark, now called Beach Park SPI, a huge outdoor water park on South Padre Island. Admission varies, about $50 per person for entry
- Do a banana Boat ride or Parasail over the beach. Sonny’s Beach Service at the Pearl Resort (about to change to a Margaritaville) will set you up. About $25 for the banana boat ride, $75 for parasailing per person
- Keep it chill. Rent a beach umbrella and 2 chairs. Bring your cooler – open containers ie BYOB is LEGAL on South Padre Beaches, unlike Florida. This REALY keeps the costs down for spring breakers as they don’t have to buy expensive drinks at a hotel. Cost for the rental of beach chair and umbrellas for the day is about $30. Various spots on the beach to rent
- Visit the Jetties in Isla Blanca County park on the very far Southmost end of South Padre Island. You can walk about 200 yards out into the ocean on top of them. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip, not flip flops as the rocky terrain is uneven. Cost to enter county park if you walk down the beach is FREE, or about $10 if you drive in for a parking permit
- Visit a bayside bar for a spectacular sunset cocktail. The best spots are Tequila Sunsets, BOB (Bobs on the Bay), Louies, or Longboard’s Bar. Cost is the cost of the drink!
This is our list of the top things to do on spring break and you get to try each and every one of them on South Padre. Feel free to call us to toll free 800 821 2176 OR email us info@inertiatours.com if any questions or for FREE advice, even if you don’t book with us we are still happy to hear from you!
