by Pat Rapacchiano

Created on: July 14, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

South Padre Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Texas. SPI is known for its fine restaurants and clubs, but most of all it is known for its natural beauty. In addition, South Padre Island is ranked among the nations top Spring break destinations. Each March, hundreds of thousands of college students from across the United States visit the sandy shores of South Padre.

The Island has so much to offer, its visitors get a "Taste of Tropical Texas". There are many attractions and recreation facilities throughout the Island in which you may want to visit. "Andy Bowie Park", located on the northern end of South Padre, this park provides beachfront picnic pavilions, concessions, children's playground, shower facilities and a ranger station.

Aquatic Sports- South Padre Island is a dream come true for those that love to play in the water or soar through the sky. There are several places on the Island in which you can rent just about anything you can think of that will let you propel through the water, swim with the fish and observe the Tropical birds. Jet skis, waverunners, kayas, and banana boats, can be rented on an hourly basis. Kiteboarding and windsurfing are very popular water sports, the shallow waters of the Laguna Madre and the briskwinds provide the perfect setting for these types of activities.

The Devils Elbow- Enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Mexican border. Diving is a popular sport for this location, the location was named "The Texas Riviera". The Devils Elbow is just above Port Mansfield, Texas. Throughout the centuries, many types of ships have wrecked and sunk along this South Texas coast from the Spanish Platora to old gun runners and trawl boats. Texas Parks and Wildlife has been active for many years in the "Artificial Reef Program" and makes South Padre Island the premier dive destination in the Gulf of Mexico.

Dolphin Research and Sea Life Center- South Padre Island has its very own families of Bottlenose dolphins that swim in the blue waters of Laguna Madre bay and can be seen near shore playing and thrashing in the waves. If you are dolphin lover the center offers daily tours of the waters. The Dorsal Fin Study is on display at the center along with videos and unusual photos of dolphins. The videos give you an understanding on how dolphins communicate with one another.

Golf- South Padre Island offers a 18-hole championship golf course and sits directly across from the Laguna Madre bay. The golf course grounds offer

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