Experience Some of the Wildlife Tours in South Padre Island

South Padre Island beachfront rentals are where to stay when your vacation is all about fishing and water sports, and Padre Getaways will provide your home away from home on sunny South Padre Island. Fish by yourself or let SPI guides show you how to get the best out of your fishing days. Bring the family and enjoy the best wildlife tours and fishing on South Padre Island.

SPI Excursions

SPI Excursions is the only place to find everything water sports! They offer so many thrilling activities such as breathtaking parasailing, fast-paced banana boat rides, adventures on jet skis, sunset cruises, dolphin watching, and of course, fishing. Learn more about all the available South Padre Island activities and contact them to make reservations. 

Yes, you can fly! Parasailing is flying, and you can do it with singles, doubles, and triplets. You’ll never know the meaning of genuine fun until you grab your drinks at the bar before loading up and then take those drinks aloft on your parasailing flight. That’s right! You can sip that margarita or delicious pina colada while you check out the spectacular views from high above the water.

All aboard for an underwater experience rarely seen from above! Your snorkeling adventure begins in the northern part of South Padre Island. This is only a 10-minute boat ride to the dive location, crystal clear, 3-foot-deep water with a gentle white sandy bottom. Bring along some tidbits and wonder as the fish swim up to you and eat right out of your hands. The trip allows up to 6-people, and it is recommended age seven or above with a weight limit of 250 pounds. Call ahead for hours and reservations.

You can book an SPI boat tour & cruise that takes you around South Padre Island, such as the very popular Dolphin & Wildlife boat tour. Sunset cruises are available and spectacular Fireworks Cruises to bring the family and enjoy the fun. 

south padre island dolphins
Photo from Shutterstock

The Original Dolphin Watch 

South Padre Island dolphin tours and Dolphin Day trips are a great way to spend a day on the water with the family. These day trips are always busy, and folks love the “Double Sunshine.” This 60-foot-long double-decker boat is built especially for getting up close and personal with all the playful dolphins of South Padre Island. 

The highlight of this dolphin adventure is meeting bottlenose and spinner dolphins in their home environment and connecting with them one-on-one. The Dolphin Watch Double Sunshine leaves daily from the Sea Ranch Marina, so contact The Original Dolphin Watch for reservations and details. 

Osprey Cruises

South Padre Island boat tours are always a great choice. When you want fun in a quality way, you want Osprey Cruises. Here, you will find a total of 6 boats ready to take you and your family on one of several choices for on-the-water fun. Select Deep Sea or Bay Fishing trips and sightseeing nature cruises, or perhaps something a bit more fun like the Pirate Adventure cruises.

If fishing is what you are after and the biggest catch of the day is your goal, choose either the Bay Fishing or Deep-Sea Fishing trip. Or, head out to Jim’s Pier on South Padre Island to see what they’re catching. Contact Osprey Cruises soon and book a Private Charter for the family or for that upcoming special event.

Captain Murphy’s Charter Service and Isla Tour

South Padre Island condo rentals are the clear choice for your vacation home base when you want to get out on the water and do some fishing. Plus, they’re close to this next business! Check out Captain Murphy’s Isla Tours. Everyone talks about how much fun they had on these tours. Get some serious fishing in and get Red Snapper or soak up the colorful sunset on the water. Call soon to make reservations for the most fun you’ve ever had.

Air Padre

South Padre Island bayside rentals and Air Padre are a perfect match. Wake up refreshed in your beautiful home base and head out to do some kiteboarding and so many other things Air Padre features. Air Padre began as a kiteboarding school and soon started offering rentals and all sorts of equipment for a very wide range of exciting water sports, including surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and of course, kiteboarding.

Sign up for kiteboarding lessons and get all the proper equipment such as radio helmets and full boat support, plus great direction on how to stay safe learning and experiencing the fun of kiteboarding for yourself. Air Padre features only IKO and PASA certified instructors who make learning fun. Contact us today to book lessons for you and the family.

South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center

As a non-profit outfit put together by the town of South Padre Island’s Economic Development Corporation, the mission statement here was always to offer in-depth information and share important details about all the wonderful species that make this part of the world their home. Residents and visitors alike will love what they can learn about these often-rare birds.

The Center is only one of nine World Birding organizations within the Rio Grande Valley. South Padre Island is one of the most majestic barrier islands and contains some very special plants and animals. So, call soon for more information about this natural and gorgeous place and bring the family soon. They will love the results!

Plan Your Stay

Every one of these wildlife destinations is close to our most popular South Padre Island rentals. Get in touch with us today to book your stay! 

 Sea Turtle Inc.

An exceptional woman knew there was a need for change in the beginning. Her vision showed her that protection was needed for the sea turtles on South Padre Island threatened with extinction. Ila Fox Loetscher took it upon herself to care for the striving sea turtle population in 1965 in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico. She fell in love with these beautiful souls and began to spend her days caring for the sea turtles on South Padre Island. 

At first, it was just her but eventually, interest in her and her turtles peaked, and visitors began to show up. Then, in 1977 she saw a need to expand and created Sea Turtle, Inc. This extraordinary individual passed away in 2000, so volunteers took on the challenge of preserving her work and making sure it continued.

The organization has prospered, including new land and a new education complex. In 2018, an education system was created so that, to date, thousands of visitors have come to learn all about the wonders of the sea turtles. STI is open year-round, and visitors come from all over the world to learn about these fabulous creatures called the sea turtle. Call today to learn how to visit this wonderful institution and tour South Padre Island.