By Shiromi Nassreen
South Padre Island features some 25 miles of
beach where every year thousands of students come to spend spring break. It's easy to see why the island is so popular, located in the middle of the country, in Texas, just 30 minutes away from the Mexican border. The island features an abundance of activities both during the day and at night, making it the premiere spring break destination in America.
Beach Kegs
One of the most unique activities during the day on Padre Island is the beach kegs. Kegs of beer are allowed on the beach and it's not unusual to see these kegs buried in the sand at South Padre Island.
Coco Cola Beach
Coca Cola Beach, located behind the Radisson hotel is the most popular spot on South Padre Island during spring break. It is at Coca Cola Beach where many of the biggest music artists will perform. It's also an excellent place to score free swag from promoters. Be aware, however, that the beach is almost always crowded during spring break.
Coca Cola Beach
500 Padre Blvd
South Padre Island, TX 78597
Dolphin Watching Cruise
Bottlenose and Spinner dolphins live in the waters around South Padre Island year-round. One dolphin tour operator which is popular is The Original Dolphin Watch. Tours are usually two hours long and along with getting to see dolphins in their natural habitat you will also get to learn all about their feeding habits and social dynamics.
The Original Dolphin Watch
33256 Park Road 100
South Padre Island, TX, 78597
Telephone: (956-761-4243)
Go on a Booze Cruise
Booze cruises are another popular activity at South Padre Island. Inertia Tours offers cruises with catamarans leaving most evenings for two hour boat tours featuring lots of music and plenty of beer. If you're planning to do the booze cruise consider going early on in the week so that you can take advantage of the discounts Inertia Tours usually give for venues during spring break.
Inertia Tours
P.O. Box 40158
South Padre Island, TX 78597
Telephone: (800-417-0559)
Go to Mexico
The Mexican border is just 30 minutes south of South Padre Island. Many tours operators offer both guided and unguided trips to Mexico. Unguided tours are simply buses which drop you off at the border allowing you to do what you like in Mexico so long as you are there to catch the bus back. Inertia Tours is a popular spring break operator which offers guided trips which include a tour guide, lunch, a tour of the local market place and even a pub crawl.
Inertia Tours
P.O. Box 40158
South Padre Island, TX 78597
Telephone: (800-417-0559)
Go Parasailing
If you've ever wondered what it'd be like to be a kite, parasailing is about the closest you can get to that and is another great way to spend a few hours on spring break. Essentially you are towed behind a boat whilst sitting in a harness and attached to a type of parachute. Parasailing gives an interesting view of the island.
Breakaway Cruises
1 Padre Blvd
South Padre Island, TX 78597
Telephone: (956-761-2212)
About the Author:
Shiromi Nassreen is a British writer. She holds a B.A. in theatre studies from Rose Bruford College of Speech & Drama and has been writing professionally for three years. She writes primarily travel and outdoor articles on Hawaii. Her articles have appeared in Dysfunkshion Magazine as well as Illusion Television and Matador Travel.
