Hotels in South Padre Island, TX

Best time to visit South Padre Island

South Padre Island is blessed with plenty of sunshine all year round. Average temperatures stay in the range of 65 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring break is a particularly crowded time and you’ll find youngsters enjoying loud parties at all hours throughout the island. However, during the rest of the year, the island exudes a relaxed vibe, perfect for sun seekers and families. The best time to visit is from September – February. From December – February, the bay waters may a bit too cold to enjoy a swim, but there are plenty of other activities and events to keep you entertained. In the summer months from June – August, there is a chance that you will encounter some unfriendly hurricane weather. Do keep an eye on the weather reports if you plan your trip during this time.

Getting around South Padre Island

South Padre Island is a small town of about 2 square miles and can easily be explored on foot in a day. You can also hop on to the free public shuttle called WAVE that runs the length of the island, daily from 7.00 a.m. – 9.00 p.m. Call ahead and book a taxi from any of the reputed taxi service companies such as A Cabs, BB’s Taxi, JJ’s Taxi, and Padre Cab Co. If you are looking to explore some of the neighboring towns such as Port Isabel or Brownsville, it is best to have your own set of wheels. If you are considering hiring a vehicle, check out great deals on car rentals with momondo.

Best places to stay in South Padre Island

South Padre Island is a picture-perfect short stay destination that boasts wide, sandy beaches, sun-soaked shores and the gentle waves of the Gulf of Mexico. Sunbathing by day and partying by night is the main agenda on a South Padre Island trip. Most hotels offer beachfront properties and are located along the town’s 3 main north-south boulevards – Laguna, Gulf and Padre. Choose your accommodation based on proximity to other attractions on the island and the on-site amenities you desire.

Nestled on South Padre Island’s southern tip, you have the Pearl South Padre hotel, an all-inclusive luxury resort that offers airy, classically decorated rooms and suites with private balconies overlooking the beach. The property also has a host of other on-site amenities, including a spa, beachside dining, and a massive outdoor pool with a swim-up bar. Check out Schlitterbahn Beach Resort that is part of the 25-acre Schlitterbahn Waterpark. The resort features simple, bright rooms and a variety of packages that allow you access to the waterpark, when you stay in the resort. A mile from the waterpark, try the Peninsula Island Resort & Spa, it boasts fully-equipped studios or apartments with private balconies. This resort has private beach access and an on-site spa and wellness center. Close to the South Padre Island Convention Center and Andie Bowie Park, enjoy the comfortable, contemporary rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island.

Cheap hotels in South Padre Island

There are plenty of cheap hotels and lodgings on South Padre Island. You’ll find a bunch of low-cost accommodation options within a 5 – 10-minute walk from the beach. If you search carefully and book in advance, you can get attractive deals and discounts on one of the beachfront properties. Check out the Ramada Hotel & Suites South Padre Island offering simple rooms, just a 5-minute walk from the beach. Just a block away from the beach, look at the compact, modern rooms in Best Western Beachside Inn. A 3-minute walk to the beach, you have Holiday Inn Express & Suites South Padre Island hotel, also located steps from attractions such as Sea Turtle, Inc. and the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. Close to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, enjoy the lovely suites with incredible bay views in the Blue Bay Inn and Suites hotel.

Visitors can access the 2 miles of South Padre Island beaches from over 20 different access points. The wide sandy beaches are perfect for sprawling out and sunbathing, or for swimming in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The shallow waters make it an attractive destination for families with young kids. Other than the beaches, the island is also renowned for its excellent fishing, as well as a wide range of water-based activities such as kiteboarding, kayaking, paddle and surf boarding, or windsurfing. If you wish to explore the rest of the island, here are a few suggestions on what to see and do.

• Stroll along the Laguna Madre Nature Trail boardwalk and watch over 300 species of birds in their natural habitat. The boardwalk runs from the South Padre Island Convention Center out to the Laguna Madre wetlands.
• Spend the day exploring 24 different indoor and outdoor rides and slides at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, a complete family entertainment venue that includes a water park and beach resort.
• Get up close with a variety of marine turtles and let your kids enjoy interactive presentations on sea life conservation at Sea Turtle, Inc. Later let the kids explore touch tanks filled with native species like starfish and hermit crabs at Dolphin Research & Sealife Nature Center.
• History buffs may enjoy a visit to 3 popular sites; the Port Isabel Lighthouse, the Port Isabel Historical Museum, and the Treasures of the Gulf Museum.
• Buy a pass and enjoy the best daily beach parties at Beach Bash Music Fest at the Rockstar Beach stretch of South Padre Island beach.
• Head to Clayton’s, the biggest beach bar in Texas, with a capacity to serve 5,000 guests. Gorge on burgers and fried seafood, groove to live music day and night and spend time on the massive deck sipping one of the house special beverages.
• Enjoy the thrill rides, such as the tallest reverse bungee in the world, ‘Skycoaster’ swing that offers incredible views of the whole island, or a multi-level go-karting track at Gravity Park, an adventure and amusement park.
• Admire the huge statue of El Cristo de los Pescadores (Christ of the Fishermen) and explore some of the finest beaches, fishing spots, playgrounds, and boating facilities at Isla Blanca Park, located on the southern edge of South Padre Island.