How to Survive Spring Break in South Padre Island: Top Spring Break Destination in Texas
(Updated: 2023)
South Padre has a rep for being party-central for young adults during Spring Break, much like Daytona Beach in Florida or Gulf Shores in Alabama. If you feel brave enough to conquer a week here during Spring Break, keep reading! Find valuable tips for a memorable stay, including affordable accommodations, must-visit attractions, and exciting spring break events. Immerse yourself in the beauty of this Texas gem while staying safe. Here is my South Padre Island Travel Guide.
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Table of Contents:
How to get to South Padre Island
How to Get Around South Padre Island
What Part of South Padre Island Should You Stay In?
Where to Stay in South Padre Island
Best Budget Hotels in South Padre
Best Mid-Range Hotels in South Padre
Best Resorts & Luxury Condos in South Padre
What to Bring on Your South Padre Trip
How to get to South Padre Island
By Car
If you are down for a road trip, this is a fun way to get to South Padre Island! The state of Texas is huge though so depending on where you are coming from, this could be quite the trek.
Fly then drive
You also have the option to fly into one of the three closest airports and then travel by ground the rest of the way to the island; the McAllen International Airport (MFE) in McAllen, TX, the Valley International Airport (HRL) located in Harlingen, TX or the Brownsville South Padre International Airport (BRO) in Brownsville, TX. The airlines that fly into these small airports are minimal so tickets can be on the higher end.
Once you land in either, you have a few choices to get to the island. HRL and BRO in partnership with SPI graciously offer round-trip shuttle services to get visitors to and from the island. The shuttle from BRO is free. The shuttle from HRL costs a fee.
You could also rent a car and drive in or grab a taxi/Uber. Depending on where you are staying though, a vehicle is not totally necessary once on the island! More about how to get around the island later.
Get directions on Google Maps from MFE
How to Get Around South Padre Island
Shuttle
South Padre offers a free shuttle service, the Island Metro, that runs between stops on the island and Port Isabel from 7 AM to 9 PM daily.
Car (your own, rental, or Uber)
SPI is very driveable with one main road running the length of it (Padre Blvd). Uber is also operational on the island to get you around and back to the Texas mainland should you need to.
TIP: If you and your group are in SPI to party, I do not recommend getting your own rental car. Utilize rideshare and taxis for the safety of yourself and those around you. Otherwise, always ensure you have a designated driver in your group. The good news is, SPI has efficient other modes of transportation so you don’t have to worry about this.
By foot
The island is only half a mile wide at its widest point so no matter where you are staying you are easily within walking distance of a beach, activity, or restaurant! This is one of the most popular ways to get around depending on your location.
Golf Carts, Bicycles & Scooters
You will see lots of golf carts and scooters around the island. These among other ways of transportation such as jeeps and mini cars can be rented from one of the several rental agency chains on the island. Here are a few:
What Part of SPI Should You Stay In?
On the Island
Of course, the most convenient and frankly fun area to stay in when having a South Padre Island vacation is the island itself. There are 2.3 square miles of island with many accommodation options. Granted, during Spring Break if you don’t plan ahead and book fast, finding a place in SPI can become more difficult, OR what’s left is on the pricier side.
If you intend to visit the week of Texas Spring Break, I recommend booking your accommodation in early January/beginning February; even sooner. The earlier the better.
East Side vs West Side of the Island
The East-side of the island is the gulf side. There are more full beaches and this side is much more active as far as where you can find activities, beachfront accommodations, dining, etc.
The West-side of the island is the bay side that faces the Texas mainland. The beaches are scarce. There are still accommodations and food on this side and you can always drive or walk over to the East-facing side for those incredible beaches! You will typically find more affordable accommodation options here because of its less-desirable location to the beaches.
North vs South of the Island
The proximity in which you stay on the island can make a big difference in your experience.
The Southern parts of the island are where most Spring Break visitors will want to be if you are there to be in the middle of the action. The only way onto the island is via the Queen Isabella Causeway bridge that connects the mainland to the island at the southernmost part of SPI. Naturally, this is part of the island that is the most built up around its accommodations, festivals, dining, and activities.
The Northern part of the island is more spread out and open. The more North you go through, the fewer accommodations there are for temporary visiting and the more permanent homes you will see. If you are looking to get away from the craziness of the south, try moving your hotel/Airbnb diameter a little further up the island. Definitely take a drive up the island either way! It's beautiful. Just be mindful of the residents that do live full-time here.
Brownsville
Brownsville is one of the southernmost tip cities of Texas on the Mexico border. For those trying to visit South Padre Island on a budget or spillover from no more island accommodations available, Brownsville is an affordable place to stay.
What you get in affordability you trade off with time spent on the road to drive into SPI and the responsibility of that. Here are some things to know/consider:
Depending on where you are staying in Brownsville, the drive can be anywhere from 30-45 minutes one way. Most of that drive is through some Southern wetlands, so the drive is at least scenic!
The most popular way in from Brownsville is by TX-48 E. There is nowhere to stop along the way for food or gas between Brownsville and Port Isabel so get everything you need before hitting the road.
There are little to no lights on TX-48 E so be safe driving back at night.
If you are going to Padre to party your heart out, I don’t recommend staying in Brownsville unless your designated driver is committed to being just that; please stay on the island where you can safely get to and from your accommodation or utilize rideshare and taxis.
We stayed in Brownsville for 4 nights and drove into the island each day. Going to and from the island worked for us. All trips we made to the island we made worth it by planning ahead on where we were headed, where we could park, what beaches we could get access to, and what our plans were for the day after arriving.
Where to Stay in South Padre Island
The accommodation options I will be referring to below are going to focus on options for staying in the city of South Padre Island itself. Here are just a few of the many;
Best Budget Hotels in South Padre
South Padre Island is not necessarily an all-around budget-friendly place. There are ways to cut costs but hotels will generally be one of the largest expenses for your visit no matter what (unless you camp - keep reading for those details). These budget hotels are options under $150/night on the island.
Ramada by Wyndham & Suites South Padre Island: Although an unassuming and basic chain hotel, the location grants you a private hotel beach, outdoor heated pool, and spacious rooms.
Check rates & availability on Booking.com
Coco Beach Hotel on the Beach: Cute beachfront motel with beach access, bar and restaurant that has live music events (Coco Beach Club), and select rooms with kitchenettes
Check rates & availability on the Coco Beach website
Wanna Wanna Inn Beach Bar & Grill: Very basic 2-star accommodation but you have access to a popular hangout spot for live music right at the hotel bar and grill with beachfront views.
Best Mid-Range Hotels in South Padre
There are many mid-range hotels on South Padre Island. Some are beach-front and some not but many are your typical hotel chains you know and love. Here are some well-rated South Padre Island hotels.
Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island: Beautiful oceanfront lodging on a nice stretch of beach. They offer rooms ranging from your typical guest rooms to suites, some with ocean or partial ocean views.
Check rates & availability on Booking.com
Comfort Suites Beachside: This hotel is nestled in between restaurants and condominiums but still with ocean view rooms and immediate beach access. An affordable, highly-rated option in a prime location.
Check rates & availability on Booking.com
Courtyard by Marriott South Padre Island: Courtyard by Marriott lies a bit further North up the island in a quieter area next to Andy Bowie County Park. The hotel features modern, clean rooms, a fitness center, and restaurant & bar.
Best Resorts & Luxury Condos in South Padre
If you are looking for more comfort and availability to amenities this may be the section for you. At a little bit higher of a price tag, these are some highly-rated luxury options in South Padre.
Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island - On the Beach: 3-star hotel with all the resort amenities and beach access for an affordable cost. This hotel is also part of a waterpark (Beach Park Waterpark) where guests of the hotel get discounts into.
Check rates & availability on Booking.com
Isla Grand Beach Resort: Beachfront resort with all the amenities for a comfortable and carefree stay. There is entertainment and fireworks shows here weekly in addition to many activities and amenities around the property to keep you busy.
Check rates & availability on Booking.com
Sapphire Luxury Beachfront Rentals: Located in the heart of SPI, Sapphire Luxury Beachfront Rentals are condos and apartments available for short-term stays in an ideal and stunning location.
Check rates & availability on Booking.com
Seabreeze Beach Resort Condominiums: Cozy beachfront units with full kitchens, balconies, and beach access. A quiet oasis in the middle of the island.
Best Airbnb’s in South Padre
Airbnb’s are an excellent option if you are looking for a place to sleep a larger group, want more privacy, or just want a more unique/homey stay in general.
Aquarius Condominiums-Blue Ocean Panoramic Paradise: As the name suggests - the panoramic views from this condo are incredible. This condo sleeps 4 people and is within walking distance to many restaurants and water activities.
Check rates & availability on Airbnb
Modern Beach Condo: This condo is located 1 block from the beach and sleeps 4 guests. A little modern oasis within close proximity to everything you need.
Check rates & availability on Airbnb
Ocean Pearl On The Beach: You can step out on the balcony of this unit and be ground-level to the beach. The interior is the perfect beachy, tropical feel.
Check rates & availability on Airbnb
Airbnb, Home Away, Vacasa, and more offer great housing options for your time on the island.
Campsites in South Padre
Here are a couple of good campsites on the island whether you have an RV or just a tent.
South Padre Island KOA offers RV parking, lodging, and campsites. The area faces the West Bay area.
Isla Blanca Park offers RV parking and campsites. It's a park located on the southernmost tip of the island with over a mile of beaches.
Andy Bowie Park is located at the North-end of South Padre Island and offers gulf-side RV parking and camping with all the amenities you could need.
Photo by Scott Young of Unsplash
What to Bring to Your South Padre Vacation
More sunscreen and protective clothing than what you think you need
The Texas Gulf sun is hot and bright! Protect your skin during your outdoor fun and remember to reapply sunscreen or find shade regularly.
ID
Whatever your age - 21 or older, or not - you are going to be carded often. Going into music festivals everyone is carded. If you look of age and never usually get carded at the bars you probably will be here. Just keep it on your person just in case.
Swimsuit
To swim in those salty gulf waters of course! Most hotels and Airbnb’s have private pools as well.
Shoes for the beach
While walking barefoot around the island is totally acceptable, the sand gets hot in the afternoon on the beaches and jellyfish can wash up to shore. Bring some beach shoes to protect yourself from burning the bottoms of your feet during the heat of the day.
Waterproof bag for your technology
I recommend unplugging while at the beach but if it's coming with you, it's always best if it's in a water and sand-proof case or bag.
Camera
Taking photos is so important for those chances to reminisce on the great times you had at SPI. Be sure to snag some photos here and there!
Bag or pockets to keep valuables
Whether you are headed to an event or just hanging out at the bars or beaches, have a safe spot for your valuables and identification. There are a lot of people on the island and in small and packed spaces, pick-pocketing can be easily done, unfortunately.
Things to Do in South Padre Island
Go to the beach
Build a sandcastle, sunbathe, run into the waves, drink a cold one, rent a cabana, the beach activities are endless! Other than finding one of the many public beach access points in the SPI neighborhoods or through beach restaurants and hotels, you can also access beaches through parks such as Isla Blanca and Andy Bowie County Park.
Water Sports
Water sports in South Padre Island are a popular activity for tourists. Here are a couple of popular spots to rent equipment from whether you are interested in kayaking, paddle boarding, renting a jet ski, parasailing, and more.
Air Padre: Kiteboarding lessons
Bayside Water Rentals LLC: Kayak, Stand Up Paddle Board rentals
Parrot Eyes Watersports: Kayak, Stand Up Paddle Board, Jet Ski rentals + Fishing Charter, Parasailing, Dolphin Watching tours
SPI Excursions: Parasailing, Banana Boat, Jet Ski rentals, Snorkeling + more
Dolphin Watching Tours
Experience the surrounding wildlife by searching for dolphins on daily guided boat tours. The highest-rated agency is The Original Dolphin Watch. Or, you can book a tour through agencies like Viator.
Sea Turtle Inc - Turtle Conservation
Learn about sea turtle conservation and rehabilitation with Sea Turtle Inc. You can make a donation, visit their facility to simply integrate with the work the conservation does for the sea turtles of the Gulf, or if you are lucky contribute to sea turtle releases and adoptions.
Visit Port Isabel
The little town of Port Isabel is the last before heading over the Queen Isabella Causeway bridge into South Padre. A few stops worth checking out include:
Mercado Faro (handmade crafts & jewelry)
Shopping at the local boutiques
Get a tattoo
For such a small island there sure are many tattoo shops here. What’s a better way to commemorate your crazy Spring Break experience than ending your trip with a new tattoo on the island? 🤪
Go to a music festival
Spring Break is the prime time for music festivals to come to the area. There are usually several a week during the month of March. Before your next trip to SPI, check what artists will be there and purchase tickets before they sell out!
Souvenir shopping
South Padre has some very memorable and unique souvenir shops around every corner. Even if you aren’t the souvenir type, you should check out one of these shops before leaving!
Nature Walk & Birdwatching
The Laguna Madre Nature Trail is a great way to be introduced to the wildlife in the island marshlands. This nature trail is the place to spot coastal birds and even visit the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center.
Where to Eat, Drink & Dance
There are more than 50 full-service restaurants on South Padre Island with a range of cuisines. Here are a few of my favorite South Padre Island restaurants and bars.
Louie’s Backyard: Famous for being South Padre Island’s Spring Break Headquarters and the largest sports bar in South Texas, Louie’s Backyard will get you dancing on the dance floor and singing karaoke - the ultimate South Padre Island nightlife destination. By day it's a fine dining experience on the beautiful bay waters. By night it's the ultimate nightclub.
Clayton's Beach Bar: Known as the largest bar in Texas and home to popular music stages for Spring Break music festivals, Clayton’s is a must-experience. They have a beach deck, prizes, giveaways, and drinks on drinks! You can’t get more of a South Padre experience than here.
Ceviche Ceviche: I believe this is the best seafood restaurant on the island! Affordable, available for dine-in or takeout, they serve cocktails and it's a short walk from the ocean.
Dirty Al’s: Right on a harbor in the bay, Dirty Al’s is a seafood joint well-known for its fried shrimp and charming location.
Wanna Wanna Beach Bar & Grill: The perfect relaxing place to enjoy some music and seafood that has been selected as one of Coastal Living magazine’s “Best Seafood Dives.” This restaurant is beach-front, pet-friendly, and doubles as an Inn so you don’t have far to walk to your room after hours spent at the bar.
Laguna BOB (Bar on Bay): This restaurant-bar setting has daily live entertainment with no cover charge and delicious food and drinks. Don’t be surprised to see tables pushed aside for dancing later into the night.
What to Know Before Visiting
Grocery Shopping
Padre Island has a Blue Marlin IGA Supermarket where you can find just about anything you’d need grocery-wise from fresh produce, meats, canned goods, etc but in short variety. There is an HEB and Walmart in Port Isabel before crossing the bridge into the island if you need a better selection.
Traffic to the Island
Something you may not consider in your travels to the island is the traffic coming in and leaving. There is only one bridge that is about 2.5 miles long that takes you from the mainland to the island. This bridge is the Queen Isabella Causeway.
A major reason for so many young people going to South Padre is the music festivals (and there are usually several throughout the week of Spring Break). If you want to try to avoid the mass of this traffic, try arriving and leaving based on the festival schedule and the time of the week. You’ll see a majority of this traffic at the beginning of Spring Break and right before some of the biggest performances on the island that week.
High traffic/long lines at cheap fast food
Cheap fast food is in popular demand during this time! I’m sure due to a mix of being on a budget and the ease of grabbing some food and going on your way play a factor (it was for us)! It is not uncommon to see fast food establishments on the island like McDonald’s and Burger King have their drive-thru lines wrapped around the building and Spring Breakers everywhere. We noticed this especially after music festivals had ended late at night.
High Police Presence
The police on the island are especially active and present during Spring Break with a large number of people on the island. While visiting SPI myself, I witnessed several people get arrested for public indecency, underage drinking, or fighting (quite the experience).
The police know why so many young adults are on the island and that’s because of the Spring Break party culture. Make smart decisions, drink responsibly, and be courteous of those around you and you will have no problem!
Take the increased precaution with posted speed limit signs and follow all rules of the beaches (such as no glass containers). Law enforcement WILL ticket you for these things without warning. Laws are taken with even more severity during this time of the year.
Border Patrol Checkpoints
Heading back North from the border, you will run into at least one traffic Border Patrol stops. There may be some traffic at these stops but it moves quickly and it’s a pretty seamless process!
Most times it is just a courtesy check where you stay in your car and they flag you through. A dog may sniff your vehicle or the patrol may ask for your ID so have it handy just in case. It was something that I didn’t even think about for our trip back so it caught us by surprise but it's nothing to worry over.
Fun facts about South Padre Island
March Spring Break weather in SPI averages around a high of 74 degrees.
South Padre Island sees more than 300 sunny days a year.
Padre Island is a barrier island and is considered the only tropical island in Texas.
The official SPI website has an updated list of all major US colleges and universities Spring Break dates each year. The most action-packed Spring Break week of South Padre is usually the perfect cultivation of these dates so no matter what school you are from, you can catch some of the fun.
South Padre Island is actually the name of the city of Padre Island. The island is broken up directionally by being referred to as “South Padre Island” and “North Padre Island.”
The population of SPI is 2,808 people. And many leave to rent out their homes during hot times of the year such as Spring Break.
South Padre Island is that movie-perfect Spring Break escape. Whether you are coming here for that experience or to just bask in the sun with your feet in the sand, there are endless activities and fun to be had on this island.
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