South Padre Island is a beautiful place to visit at any age and stage of life. Families love vacationing together on SPI and experiencing all the beauty and fun the island offers. If you are looking to plan a vacation at one of our great South Padre Island beachfront rentals, fun and adventure will be at your fingertips.
Whether visiting a park, experiencing wildlife, or enjoying the beach, there are many fun things to do in South Padre Island with kids. Make some memories you will cherish forever with your family on your next beach getaway.
Keep reading to learn about some of the exciting family-friendly activities you can experience on South Padre Island.
Visit Isla Blanca Park & Andy Bowie Park
South Padre Island is known for its mesmerizing calm waters. The beaches here are beautiful and can be fun for children and adults. Isla Blanca Park is on the southernmost tip of South Padre Island that offers many fun activities for visitors. Here you can enjoy a pristine beach and a ton of waterfront recreation. Isla Blanca Park has a waterpark, snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, and fishing trips available. Plenty of restaurants are also in the area to enjoy. A day at Isla Blanca Park is sure to be an excellent time for a family.
Andy Bowie Park is a great park located on the northern end of South Padre Island and has many fun activities for kids situated directly across from the South Padre Island Convention Center. Visitors love fishing, swimming, food and picnic areas, and a stunning beach.
Build a Sandcastle or Fly a Kite
When it comes to family vacations, there is nothing more important than spending quality time together. Consider creating a special memory with your family and enjoying a day on the beach building sandcastles or flying a kite. Moments like these will linger in your mind long after your trip is over. The picturesque beaches here on South Padre Island are perfect for a family beach day. You can enjoy a beach right outside your door when you stay in one of our South Padre Island bayside rentals.
If you are interested in elevating your sandcastle-building skills, consider hiring a professional like Andy Hancock to help you and your family make incredible sandcastle creations. His sand castle lessons are a once-in-a-lifetime experience and tons of fun; there is nothing like building a sandcastle on South Padre Island.
Visit Sea Turtle Inc.
If you and your family are animal lovers, there is no better experience for you than Sea Turtle Inc. Sea Turtle Inc helps rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles on South Padre Island. They also offer educational programs to help raise awareness for animal conservation.
Visitors of Sea Turtle Inc have the opportunity to explore the center and meet the rehabilitating and non-releasable sea turtles. The self-guided tours through their facilities will allow visitors to learn more about sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico and how we can help protect the species. Sea Turtle Inc also offers special events like their “Kids Night Out” as well as their camps. Sea Turtle Inc is one of the coolest things to do in South Padre Island, and it is sure to be an unforgettable memory for your family.
Go Fishing
One of the main reasons why people love vacationing on South Padre Island is because of the incredible sea life. There is no better way to get up close and personal with the ocean than by booking a fishing trip for your family. There are all kinds of tours that will specialize in different things, so be sure to do research on what tour is the right fit for your needs. Make sure that you are booking a tour that is age appropriate for members of your family as well.
Chartering a fishing boat is the perfect way to ensure you have a great time. South Padre Island fishing charters know all the rules and regulations around fishing, and they will help you adhere to everything. The captains will be able to help guide you to the best areas and explain more about the sea life of South Padre Island. Plus, it’s a great way to experience some ocean views and get outside.
Visit Port Isabel
Port Isabel is a charming port city that is just a 10-minute drive across the Queen Isabella Causeway. The historic town ia a great place to take your family. The city is full of rich history and fun attractions to keep you entertained during your visit. Visitors love The Black Dragon Pirate Ship attraction, which is a favorite among children.
The stores and shopping in Port Isabel are delightful. Take a stroll down the historic streets of Lighthouse Square to experience all of the best shopping in the area. Port Isabel is a great place for families to enjoy while vacationing on South Padre Island.
Take a Dolphin Cruise
The amazing sea life off South Padre Island is a huge reason why families choose to vacation here. Learn more about these ocean animals by taking a dolphin tour. South Padre Island dolphin tours and dolphin day trips are incredible experiences to share with your family. These cruises allow you to get up close and personal with the playful dolphins that live just off the coast.
Up close interactions like these are incredibly rare and will be a valued memory for you and your family. On your tour, you could meet both bottlenose and spinner dolphins. These adorable animals are amiable and entertaining to see in person. Getting to experience dolphins in the wild like this will give you and your family a new perspective on our magical wildlife.
Visit the Zoo
The Gladys Porter Zoo is an incredible zoo and botanical park located in Brownsville, Texas. This zoo is visitor-oriented and dedicated to preserving nature and conservation. While visiting, you will learn all about the animals they have there and how their rehabilitation process works.
With around 430,000 guests attending every year, the Gladys Porter Zoo is incredibly popular. The zoo is 31 acres in size! Compared to other zoos, the Gladys Porter Zoo is very affordable and definitely worth your money, and your family will love it.
Plan Your Visit
Each of our South Padre Island condos is in a great location and has top-quality accommodations. Take the family trip of a lifetime by booking a vacation to South Padre Island with us at Padre Getaways.
Where to Stay
Families love visiting South Padre Island and making memories that will last forever. The incredible beauty, wildlife, history, and activities make South Padre Island full of fun for the whole family. It is so easy to get caught up in our regular day-to-day lives; spending a special vacation somewhere as beautiful as SPI is the perfect way to pause time for a moment. You can ensure sure your family’s vacation is perfect by booking an incredible South Padre Island rental to suit your family’s needs. Here at Padre Getaways, we have some of the best condos and rentals available on the island.
