Top Things to Do in South Padre Island With Your Family

Do you and your family have a vacation planned to South Padre Island soon? If the answer is yes, you’re probably wondering what fun activities in South Padre Island are available to keep your family entertained during your stay. There are many South Padre Island activities  to choose from, but we wanted to compile a few that are especially good for the whole family. 

Let’s look below at a few of the fun adventures that your family can have while vacationing on South Padre Island!

Parasailing

South Padre Island, in the Gulf of Mexico, is a highly sought-after destination known for its picturesque beaches, balmy climate, and diverse outdoor recreational opportunities. Among the exciting activities, parasailing is a thrilling adventure that affords unparalleled panoramic views of the island’s natural splendor from an elevated vantage point. 

Parasailing is one of the most fun things to do in South Padre Island. It is a high-flying water sport that involves being towed by a boat while secured to a specially designed parasail. The parasail captures the wind’s force, propelling the rider up into the sky, where they can soak in the stunning vistas of the island and its surroundings. 

Before embarking on your adventure, you’ll receive a safety briefing from your parasailing operator and a gear fitting to ensure the safety of all participants. From there, you’ll depart on your boat ride and prepare to take off. The duration of the flight can vary, but it typically lasts around 10-15 minutes. 

Parasailing is a weather-dependent activity, and flights may be postponed or canceled if conditions are unsuitable. The parasail attaches to a harness, and the rider dons a life jacket and helmet before securing a tow rope connecting to the boat. As the boat sets off, the parasail inflates with air, lifting the rider into the sky. The experience can be either tranquil and serene or thrilling and adrenaline-pumping, depending on the rider’s preference. Parasailing on South Padre Island is an extraordinary way to encounter the island’s magnificence from a fresh perspective. 

With knowledgeable guides and adequate safety precautions, parasailing in South Padre Island is an invigorating and safe adventure that will be a memorable highlight of any trip to the island. And best of all, it’s an activity the whole family can enjoy! Whenever you’re feeling adventurous, venture out of your South Padre Island vacation rental and embark on a parasailing adventure! Lifelong memories on SPI await.

Banana Boating

Banana boating is one of the most exciting South Padre Island watersports that offers an exhilarating experience for all who participate. This activity involves riding on an inflatable boat shaped like a banana that is pulled by motorized watercraft. The speed of the ride can be adjusted to the rider’s preference, with the watercraft driver determining the pace.

Before embarking on your banana boating adventure, you must first locate a reputable local operator who provides this activity. Parrot Eyes is one such certified operator local to the area. A safety briefing and gear fitting are required, after which you can enjoy the boat ride, experience the thrill of the ride, and take advantage of any photo and video packages. 

The activity is weather-dependent but provides a unique and exciting way to take in the island’s beautiful waters. Riding a giant banana guarantees some laughs and potential splashes!

Once you are on the banana boat, the watercraft driver will start the motor, and you will begin riding the waves. 

This fun and exciting activity includes bouncing up and down on the water, providing riders with a thrilling experience. To ensure safety, participants must wear a life jacket, listen to the operator’s instructions, hold on tightly to the handles of the banana boat, and remain alert and aware of their surroundings. 

Riding a banana boat in South Padre Island is an excellent activity for adventure seekers looking for a way to make some unforgettable memories for the whole family on their vacation

Plan Your Visit

View our entire inventory of South Padre Islands and get ready for the vacation of a lifetime!

Boogie Boarding 

One of the most fun things to do in South Padre Island with family is boogie boarding. This easily accessible activity involves riding waves while lying on a small foam board. The boards are made of soft foam material, and a wrist leash is attached to them. The rider lies on the board face down, paddles a short distance into the water,  and uses their body to catch and ride waves toward the shore. These boards typically range from four to six feet long and provide buoyancy, making it easy to catch and ride waves.

Fun Adventures Your Family Can Do While Vacationing on South Padre Island
Photo from Shutterstock

To enjoy boogie boarding on South Padre Island, renting or purchasing a boogie board is necessary. Many beach resorts and water sports rental shops offer hourly, daily, or weekly boogie board rentals, including the board, leash, and fins required for maneuvering in the water. Boogie boards are available in various shapes, sizes, and materials, with foam, fiberglass, and polypropylene being the most common. If you’d like to purchase one for yourself, there are many beach stores that provide them for a reasonable price. When purchasing a board, it is important to consider your weight, skill level, and the types of waves you’ll be riding.

Air Padre offers boogie board rentals that include a wrist leash and are available for a 24-hour time frame. The rental shop provides an extensive selection of boogie boards that cater to all skill levels, ensuring that groups of friends or families can be equipped with a fleet of boogie board rentals. 

Boogie boarding is an enjoyable and accessible activity that can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages and skill levels. By renting or purchasing a boogie board, individuals can experience the thrill of riding waves and create lasting memories with their loved ones on South Padre Island. 

Find Your South Padre Island Vacation Rental 

When looking for your perfect South Padre Island rental, look no further than Padre Getaways! 

Padre Getaways offers a wide range of high-quality vacation rentals, including condos, apartments, townhomes, and houses. Our South Padre Island bayside rentals offer stunning views of Laguna Madre Bay and convenient fishing access. Or maybe you’d prefer our South Padre Island condos with their chic design and luxurious resort pools. 

Padre Getaways rentals are carefully selected to meet high standards of cleanliness, comfort, and quality, and we are always available to answer any questions or concerns before, during, and after your stay. We are committed to providing you with the best South Padre Island vacation experience possible and hope to have you back year after year!