Andy Bowie Park
Located on the northern end of South Padre Island, this park provides beachfront picnic pavilions, concessions, children’s playground, shower facilities, 18 full hook-up RV spaces, and a ranger station. Group rental facilities are also available with prior arrangement for beach parties. 761-3704

Edwin K. Atwood Park
Located 1.5 miles north of Andy Bowie Park on Park Road 100, this park offers a beachfront picnic pavilion, a concession, and a beach access road, which provides twenty miles of beach driving. 761-3704

Aquatic Sports
South Padre Island is a dream come true for those that love to play in the water or soar through the sky. There are several places on the Island to rent just about anything you can think of that will let you propel through the water, swim with the fish or soar with the birds. Jet skis, waverunners, kayaks, and banana boats, just to name a few, can be rented for as little as one-half hour to whatever your heart desires. Kiteboarding and windsurfing are also popular water sports on the Island, and the shallow waters of the Laguna Madre and the brisk winds provide the perfect playground for these activities. There is also a wide array of opportunities to tour the Island by land and water. From amphibious vehicles to catamarans – we have it all. Pick your favorite and make a day of it! Don’t forget to try your hand at parasailing or ski diving. Our birds are friendly and enjoy the company. Swimming with the fish on a half-day or full-day snorkeling trip is another experience that should be had by all. South Padre Island is the perfect spot to try those water sports you have only seen on television or read about in book. Remember all the times you have said – I want to try that someday? Someday is here – experience South Padre Island!

Diving the Devils Elbow
South Padre diving was born from that adventurous spirit which leads you from your office door to those hot sandy beaches of the Mexican border. Share this excitement with the other divers in the deep blue, unspoiled waters of the Texas Riviera, territory of Spanish Galleons and the pirates of the Spanish Main.

The Devils Elbow is the curve or bight above and below Port Mansfield, Texas. Throughout the centuries, ships of all types have wrecked and sunk along this South Texas coastline from the Spanish Platora fleet to old gun runners and trawl boats. South Padre Island offers a plethora of diving locations including the vertical reefs of the oil platforms, the many wrecks that lay along the Devils Elbow and the delicate deep water reefs.

Texas Parks and Wildlife has been active for many years in the artificial reef program that makes South Padre Island the premier dive destination in the Gulf of Mexico. The Liberty Ship reef system is comprised of 3 Liberty Ships with 13 oil platforms lying on the oceans floor. The area around the ships serves as a habitat system for the swarming rainbow of colors produced by the wildlife. The Texas Underwater Park, a short 7 miles from the jetties, holds a Navy work barge, two oil platforms, and several trawl boats and of course now, South Padre Island hosts the premier wreck extravaganza in the Southern United States, The Texas Clipper.

The offshore natural gas industry has provided giant vertical reefs with their structures where whale sharks, manta rays, and the giant game fish of the Gulf of Mexico roam like guards on sentry duty in and around the rigs. Seven and one half fathom reef is a shallow reef system that can be reached from South Padre Island as well as Catlin’s Place, a delicate deep water reef system that rivals the reefs in Florida.

When choosing your next dive vacation, think South Padre Island, the complete destination resort. For more information see go to: divesouthpadre.com

Dolphin Research and Sea Life Nature Center
One of many big treats for the nature enthusiast is the dolphin. South Padre Island has its very own families of Bottlenose dolphins that live in the rich waters of the Laguna Madre bay and can be seen near shore playing and frolicking in the waves. Our dolphins are wild and free and can be seen year round. The husband wife team of George and Scarlet Colley has been studying, filming and documenting the dolphin families for over 10 years and have named most of the dolphins. There are special white dolphins like Natcho, Angel, Titan, BooBoo and many more.

Some are easily recognized by their unusual shaped dorsal fins like CanOpener, Cookie, Twister and Sharkey. They live their entire lives here raising their babies and feeding on the rich food sources the surrounding waters of the Island have to offer.

The Colley’s took their love of the Island and the dolphin one step further when they opened the Dolphin Research and Sea Life Nature Center. The Center is a great place for local students to take a field trip and for those schools unable to do field trips or those too far from South Padre Island; the Colley’s take the field trip experience to the school.

Make sure your next trip to South Padre Island includes a trip to the research center. The Dorsal Fin Study is on display at the center along with several videos, and photos of the dolphins and the interesting things they do. The Dorsol Fin Study is a product of the Wild Dolphin Study Group, which does daily filming and documenting of dolphin behavior and fins. The dolphins being documented are wild dolphins that are never fed, swam with or touched.

If you want to get up close and personal with our dolphins, there are many dolphin watch boats that tour our waters to see the dolphins or you can join the study team for a private tour. Either way our dolphins will thrill all who see them. Please remember it is against the law to swim with the dolphins, feed or touch wild dolphins. For more information call 956-299-0629, stop by 110-A N. Garcia, Port Isabel or check out their website at www.spinaturecenter.com

Fishing
Where can you go that you can fish all day and have the restaurant of your choice cook your catch to your specifications? Get ready to bend your pole along the surf, on the bay or on a deep sea fishing trip in the Gulf. There are approximately 600 different species, but the most commonly caught fish are the red or black drum, spotted sea trout and southern flounder in the bay, and tarpon, red snapper, king mackerel, amberjack and pompano in the gulf. Choose from over 60 different charter companies and personal guides to take you on the fishing trip of your life. The State of Texas requires all residents and non-residents to have a fishing license. There are some circumstances in which a license might not be required, please check with your captain to determine if you will need a license or go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us for more information. For more information call (956) 761-4412.

Golf

South Padre Island Golf Club offers a 18-hole championship golf course and is situated across the Laguna Madre Bay, a short 10 minute drive from South Padre Island. This par-72 course is home of the Texas Senior Open and presents an absolutely beautiful lateral view of the Island. Decidedly different with rolling green hills and “wildlife corridors” of native brush, these grounds offer an oasis, a wildlife refuge and golfer’s paradise all rolled into one. Golf packages are offered by several of the Island’s top resort hotels and condominiums. For more information call (956) 943-5678.

Isla Blanca Park
On the southernmost tip of South Padre Island, this park is the crown jewel of the Cameron County Park System. Over one mile of clean, white beach along the Gulf of Mexico offers abundant beachfront recreational facilities. Enjoy our 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. There is also a full-marina with daily charters, a water park, retail shops and a boat ramp. With nearly 600 R.V. spaces, Isla Blanca is not only one of the biggest parks in Texas, but also the best. For more information call (956) 761-5493.

Laguna Madre Nature Trail
Cutting through the tall marsh grass are two boardwalks made of recycled material. Each boardwalk ends in a blind that allows people to become an unobtrusive observer of a host of birds, fish, turtles, dragonflies, lizards,and an alligator or two. Located just off to the side of the South Padre Island Convention Centre, the trail starts at the Warbler Rest Area, a plot of ground seeded with flowers designed to attract the winged creatures on a year-round basis. Located 4 miles north of the Queen Isabella Causeway. For more information call 800-SOPADRE.

Point Isabel Lighthouse Complex
The Point Isabel Lighthouse Complex, located at 421 Queen Isabella Blvd., is home to the newly renovated Point Isabel Lighthouse and the Keeper’s Cottage. In 1852, Congress approved the construction of a beacon in the Laguna Madre to support the growing ship industry of the South Texas Coast. The Point Isabel Lighthouse was built to protect and guide ships through Brazos Santiago and the barrier islands. During the Civil War, the light was closed and the tower was used as a lookout for both the Confederate and Union armies. The lighthouse was lit again after the war. In 1880, the lighthouse was renovated to accommodate a new light system. The lighthouse was officially closed in 1905. In 1952, the lighthouse was opened as a state park and is the only lighthouse on the Texas coast to be opened to the public. A replica of the Keeper’s Cottage houses the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, historic displays, and tourist information. The Lighthouse Complex is open daily, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call (956) 943-2262.

Port Isabel Historical Museum
The Port Isabel Historical Museum located at 317 E. Railroad, housed in the historic Champion Building, built in 1899 as a dry goods store and residence, is one of the oldest structures in Port Isabel. Today, the Museum is a state-ofthe- art facility that houses numerous hands on exhibits, audio presentations and videos that commemorate the colorful history of the Port Isabel area, the stage of some of the most important chapters of Texas, Mexican and American History. The museum has two exhibit levels, a theater, gift shop and one of the largest collections of Mexican artifacts from the U.S. Mexican War. On the south end of the building is the famous “fish mural” painted in 1906 by a local fisherman. The Port Isabel Historical Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 PM Call (956) 943- 7602 for more information and current admission prices.

Sea Turtle, Inc.
Turtles have feelings too. Did you know that picking a turtle up by its shell without supporting the tummy is like being lifted by our finger, toe nails or hair? Founded by Illa Loetscher, affectionately known as the “Turtle Lady”, this enviro-friendly organization is dedicated to caring for and educating the public about endangered sea turtles. Located at 6617 Padre Blvd. For more information call (956) 761-1720 or go to www.seaturtleinc.com. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:00 PM If you see a sea turtle, call the TURTLE HOTLINE (956) 380-9677.

South Padre Island Visitors Center Sand Castle
The South Padre Island Visitors Center is home to one of the largest year-round sand castles in the State of Texas. Built and maintained by Sons of the Beach Sand Castle Wizards, world renowned sand castle builders, the sand castle will change with the seasons. Formerly located at the South Padre Island Convention Centre, the sand castle has long been a yearround treat for Island guests. The South Padre Island Visitors Center is located at 600 Padre Blvd. Stop by and take those memorable photos with the sand castle. The sand castle can be viewed and photographed 7 days week, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

South Padre Island Convention Centre
Built in 1992, this modern, airy, and colorful building located four miles north of the Queen Isabella causeway was created to host a wide variety of events. Primary facilities include 22,500 square feet of column free exhibit space, 9,000 square feet of flexible meeting rooms, a conference theater for 300, and a gorgeous view of the Laguna Madre Bay. This is the site of spectacular sunsets, a wide stretch of sand flats, (which allows vehicular access to the bay) and miles of undeveloped coast. Visitors have access across the nearby marsh grass by taking the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, a boardwalk system that allows nature lovers to watch birds and to spot our resident alligator family. (See NATURE TOURISM)

The South Padre Island Convention Centre is a top-rated venue to book a meeting, convention, concert or special event. Call 800-OK-PADRE or email convmtgs@sopadre.com

The Texas Clipper – World Class Wreck Diving
The Texas Clipper lays 17 miles off of the coast of South Padre Island in the blue waters of the Gulf Stream. From the very beginning she was destined to become a Texas ship.

She was first commissioned by the Navy as the Texas Queens and served her country in Iwo Jima during WW II. After WW II, she was commissioned as a luxury cruise liner that traded in the Mediterranean ports of call. From 1965 to 1996, she served as a training ship for sea cadets at Texas A&M Galveston.

In 1998, the reefing project began to bed the Texas Clipper as a world class artificial reef near South Padre Island. Great care to the environment and diver safety planning as been the priority of all agencies involved in creating this world class dive destination.

Late in 2007 The Texas Clipper was sunk in 134 feet of water with her sun deck rising up to 50 feet from the surface making her an ideal location for all levels of divers. The ship has water passages on every deck in order for the divers to view the barnacles, corals, sponges, clams, and gorgonians that will grow on her 170 thousand square feet of substrate.

The sea life from crabs to reef fish, whale sharks, and rays will benefit from her bounty. Her decks will hold Warsaw grouper, snapper, cobia, rock hind, Spanish hog fish, amberjack, African pompano, and king mackerel to name a few.

Her proud Texas maritime heritage will enhance her legacy as she attracts divers from all over the world to the oceans floor off of South Padre Island. For more information on diving The Texas Clipper go to divesouthpadre.com

Treasures of the Gulf Museum
The Treasures of the Gulf Museum, located at 317 E. Railroad, was opened in 2000 and tells the story of the three ill-fated Spanish ships that wrecked off the northern end of South Padre Island in 1554 near present day Port Mansfield. The exhibit incorporates murals, artifacts and hands-on activities to interpret this fascinating event that occurred only 30 miles north of Port Isabel. Actual artifacts from the shipwreck such as silver planchas, or disks, coins, and weapons are on display. The Children’s Discovery lab is popular with the young and the young at heart. This hands-on exhibit teaches visitors about marine Archeology. Hands-on displays allow visitors to try on period clothing and map out a treasure site. The children’s section also has a small-scale ship for kids to imagine themselves sailing waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The museum also has a “ship” theater and a nautical-inspired gift shop. The Treasures of the Gulf Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am. to 4:00 PM Call (956) 943-7602 for more information and current admission prices.

The University of Texas Pan American Coastal Studies Laboratory
The Coastal Studies Laboratory studies and exhibits marine life such as crustaceans and marine vertebrates, and plant life. A satellite of the University of Texas Pan American, the lab is open to the public Sunday through Friday, 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM The lab is also open for group tours, by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 1:30 PM Located in Isla Blanca Park, near the north pavilion, there is no charge to visit the lab, but there is a $4.00 per vehicle charge to enter the park. For additional information or to schedule a tour call (956) 761- 2644, e-mail coastal@panam.edu or check their website.

Whaling Wall #53
Another stunningly beautiful site to see at the Convention Centre is the famous “Whaling Wall #53” by acclaimed environmental artist Wyland. Wyland wanted to show homage to whales and other creatures of the sea by devoting his talent to painting 100 walls across the world. His “Whaling Walls” serve as a perfect way to capture the grandeur of his subjects since drawing giant whales on small canvases became extremely limiting. The walls of the South Padre Island Convention Centre provided the 53rd life size canvas for the Wyland project. Spanning 153 feet in length, covering 3 walls and 23 feet in height, it took over 111 gallons of paint, 100 volunteers, and nearly four days to complete. Over 2000 Valley school children plus hundreds of other spectators were allowed to watch Wyland work throughout the week. The wall was at no cost to the town and state. Wyland donated his time and artwork, while local residents, private sponsors, and public organizations donated the paint, scaffolding, air guns, and lighting. This community involvement paved the way for “Whaling Wall #53” to be not only the first of its kind in Texas, but along the entire Gulf Coast.

With the approval of the artist, Whaling Wall #53 received a face lift during the summer of 2007 by a local artist. To view this magnificent wall 24 hours a day stop by the SPI Convention Centre at 7355 Padre Blvd.