OCT – DEC 2020
*Hours, policies, and prices vary seasonally. All info needs to be reverified every March, June, Oct, and Dec.
Sea Turtle Inc.
www.seaturtleinc.org
6617 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX
956-761-4511
Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 am – 3:15 pm
Prices
- Adults: $6
- Seniors/Military: $5
- Kids: $4
- Under 4: FREE
Policies:
- Masks required for ages 5+
- Credit/Debit only
- Bring your own water
- Outdoor tanks are covered if temperatures drop below 55° F
- Guided tours, classes, and presentations are currently suspended
Events:
- Adopt a resident turtle and receive a gift bag, adoption certificate, and souvenir.
- Take a self-guided tour through the turtle hospital and education center
- Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome
- Tour the Sea Turtle Art Trail across South Padre Island
- Artists: Cecilia Garza, Chelsea Fedigan, and Christina Salazar
South Padre Island is home to a variety of rare and endangered wildlife, including the rarest sea turtle of them all: Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle. Sea Turtle Inc is making huge strides in aiding this critically endangered species by rehabilitating injured and sick sea turtles, incubating and releasing thousands of sea turtle hatchlings, and educating the public about sea turtle conservation. A visit to the hospital is life changing, not just for the sea turtles! Learn about types of sea turtles, their challenges, and what you can do to help. You won’t just get to observe the rehabilitation tanks where sea turtles on the mend wait to be rereleased into the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll also get to meet the permanent residents, including Allison – the sea turtle with a prosthetic fin. There are both indoor and outdoor areas to explore, including a boardwalk, overhead aquarium, and gift shop. While you’re there, honor a loved one by personalizing a brick with their name for the Rehabilitation Walkway or adopting a sea turtle – you’ll go home with a reusable shopping bag, adoption certificate, and souvenir. It’s fun and educational for the whole family and their well-behaved, leashed pets.
South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary
https://www.spibirding.com/
6801 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX
956-761-6801
Open Sunday through Monday 7 am 5 pm
Prices
- Adults: $8
- Seniors: $7
- Children: $5
Policies
- Masks required at all times
- No dogs allowed on the boardwalk
- Guided tours must be booked in advance on the website
- Tours are an additional $8 per person
- Ages 13 and up only
- Limit 10 people per tour
- Do not feed the wild alligators – it is illegal and dangerous!
Events
- Daily: Scavenger hunt
- Daily: Feed permanent resident alligators (do not feed the wild alligators)
- Daily Gator Talks
- Daily at 11 am, 1:30 pm,. And 3:30 pm
- Guided Birding Tours
- Every Friday & Saturday, 9 AM to 11 AM
- Online registration required: https://www.spibirding.com/hallowings
- $8 plus admission
- October 31, 2020 – HalloWings
- Gardening for Monarchs
- 9 am: Virtual Zoom Guided Talk
- Online registration required: https://www.spibirding.com/hallowings
- $7, includes a print-at-home 1-day pass
- 9 am: Virtual Zoom Guided Talk
- In-person, Guided Butterfly Walk
- 11 am & 1 pm
- Online registration required: Online registration required: https://www.spibirding.com/hallowings
- Included in the price of admission
- 11 am & 1 pm
- Hallowings crafts, scavenger hunts, treats
- 9 am – 3 pm
- While supplies last, registration not required
- Included in the price of admission
- Gardening for Monarchs
South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary is on every birder’s and eco-tourist’s bucket list of places to visit. It consists of over 3000 ft. of winding boardwalks and bird blinds across South Padre Island’s coastal wetlands and the center’s gator ponds. The boardwalk and 5-story viewing tower will allow you to observe the habitats, hunting grounds, and nesting areas of several rare, endangered, local, and migratory animal species. During the winter, you will be sure to glimpse migrating monarchs, peregrine falcons, belted kingfishers, warblers, hummingbirds, ospreys, and soras. You won’t want to miss the locals either, including the brown pelicans, great egret, several heron species, spoonbills, and the majestic white ibis. The whole family will love self-guided tours and scavenger hunts across the long, winding boardwalk. More enthusiastic visitors ages 13+ are encouraged to register online for a guided tour. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars (sanitized binoculars are also available to borrow at the center).
Sandcastles
Building a sandcastle is a right of passage for every beach goer on South Padre Island. You and your family can book a sandcastle sculpting lesson with a local artist, you can commision a build for family photos, your beach wedding, or to help you pop The Question to your soul mate after a romantic walk on the beach. Whatever the occasion, South Padre Island’s sandcastle sculpting artists can help you turn a moment into a memory.
Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA
Year round, Free
610 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island TX
South Padre Island Visitor Center
Sand Castle Lessons
https://sandcastlelessons.com/lessons/
Book in advance and earn your sand sculpting black belt early on in your vacation so you can use those skills during the rest of your stay on Sandcastle Island!
Sandy Feet
https://www.sandyfeetsandcastleservices.com/lessons.html
Leveled Sandcastling Lessons for every ability level. From getting sand to stand to billboard sculptures – Sandy Feet has your back.
Sand Sculpture Trail
Year round, Free, Various Locations
http://www.sandsculpturetrail.com/
Did you know the local artists add a non-toxic SECRET INGREDIENT to their sand? As the sand castles are reworked time and time again, they get stronger and stronger! Some have been known to stand 5 years!
Take a cruise down South Padre Island’s beachy Boulevard and you’ll be delighted by the constantly maintained, repaired, and re-carved sand sculptures. They are ever evolving with the weather, holiday, and creativity of the local artists on the team. Like a treasure hunt, walking the sand sculpture trail on South Padre Island will dazzle and amaze you. Make sure your phone is charged – you will take dozens of pictures! The best ways to see them all is to rent a tandem bike, golf cart, or even a segway.
Sandcastle Village
Located on the corner of W Marlin St and Laguna Blvd next to Gravity Park, the Ferris Wheel, and Louie’s Backyard, Open year round, Free
For years upon years local sand sculpting artists have been beautifying South Padre Island with their creativity and tenacity in the face of bad weather and vandals. Never deterred – they’ve gone above and beyond sand castles with world famous sculptures featured at Sand Castle Days, on the Sand Sculpture Trails, and now – for the past 3 years, the Sandcastle Village. You can visit the site and watch the work begin starting in October and through November. The holiday displays, including light show and music, should be completed by Thanksgiving. So stop by and catch up on the progress!
Nov 3 – 8, 2020
Curbside Shrimp Cook-Off & Seafood Festival
On Mainland Port Isabel
Eat. Vote. Win.
The 27th Annual Shrimp Cook-Off takes place the first week of November. So if you’re wondering what to do on South Padre Island in November, this is it! First, print off your ballot – one per person (or pick one up at any participating restaurant): http://portisabel-texas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ballot-card1.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0zcIlHm5gUY3xhcZvfQtSqow42QJ611syOdxZ9kI-DnoxgLUPPDu8YWHA
- EAT! Purchase your samplings for $5.00 each.
- VOTE! Fill out your ballot as you go – then turn it in by November 7th at the Port Isabel Chamber.
- WIN! Everyone who turns in a ballot on time is entered into a giveaway!
Visit http://www.portisabelchamber.com/ for more information.
November 27 – December 27
Shop The Island
Shop. Win. Shop Some More!
Shop local and support local businesses this holiday season. You will find unique and handcrafted South Padre Island gifts for everyone on your shopping list. Whether you are shopping for the kids, your spouse, or for a gift-exchange – you’ll find what you need right here on South Padre Island. From kites to carved driftwood, and from fishing gear to fine jewelry, local shops on the Boulevard and beyond are ready to help you. Don’t forget to visit the Outdoor Shopping Displays November 27 through 29 across the Island.
- Spend $20 or more on each receipt to qualify for the drawing.
- Drop off your original receipts at local participating businesses.
- Each receipt for $20 or more qualifies for one drawing entry.
- Win a $500 Island Shopping Spree and Treat Yourself!
December 5th, 2020 (PENDING)
Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
Laguna Madre Bay, South Padre Island
FREE!
Find a cozy bit of bayside outdoor seating, a blanket, and a mug of hot chocolate. You and your family – especially the kids – will love watching the Lighted Boat Parade on South Padre Island this year. It’s the perfect end to a long year. Boaters across South Texas light up the waters with their holiday decorations and light shows. You will be dazzled by the lights bouncing off the water, the cheers of happy kids, and Santa’s laughter as he closes out the parade. It’s a must-see event for everyone in the area on December 5th. The event is subject to change based on weather and water conditions on South Padre Island during December. Special restrictions will be implemented for the safety of everyone attending. Visit the website for more information: https://www.portisabelchamber.com/
Fishing
Year Round, fishing licence required $11 to $16 for a one-day license and up to $70 for long-term license.
The City of South Padre Island has compiled a Fishing Forecast Almanac for visitors. They’ve included all of the local restaurants that will cook what you catch – so make a day – and a night of it. Let’s get out on the water!
https://www.sopadre.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Fishing-Guide-with-Restaurants.pdf
Pirate’s Fishing Pier
Mainland Port Isabel
On the mainland just before the Queen Isabella Causeway bridge to South Padre Island, you will have noticed a long fishing pier at Pirates Landing – you will have noticed the pirate ship, too, non doubt! So if you’re interested in bay fishing on South Padre Island – head to the mainland between 6 am and 10 pm for prime bay fishing. Pole rentals are available. Admission and rentals range from $2.00 to $20.00. There’s also several shops, restaurants, and photo ops just steps away, including the Port Isabel Museum and Lighthouse!
