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Golf
the Gulf
 The
South Padre Island Golf Club winds along the placid
Laguna Madre bay with spectacular views of the Island. It's
no wonder that it was selected as one of the Top 20 news
courses in America by Golf Magazine when it opened in 1997.
Each hole offers unexpected challenges just minutes from
South Padre Island in Laguna Vista. The 18-hole, par 72
course is complemented by a 385-yard driving range, putting
and chipping greens, pro shop and clubhouse.
Tennis
South Padre Island's sunny days
make for perfect play - regardless of your skill level. All
of the major hotels and condominiums feature tennis courts
which are available to their guests. The staff at the South
Padre Island Visitors Center (1-800-767-2373) can also offer
suggestions on private and group lessons.
Fishing...More
info
 With
so many state and world records set in our bay and gulf
waters, South Padre Island has a world class reputation
among fishermen. Half day and full day trips in the Laguna
Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico cost as little as $14 or as
much as $1000, depending on your prowess, your pocketbook,
and how far offshore you venture. The list of species is as
long as the gulf is deep: whiting, drum, flounder, trout,
redfish, kingfish, Wahoo, tuna, marlin, and sailfish are a
few.
Windsurfing
 The
Laguna Madre Bay separates South Padre Island from the Texas
mainland and is recognized as one of the world's top
windsurfing destinations. The sailing season off South Padre
runs from September through May. Water depth varies from
three to five feet, daytime winds average 18 mph, and the
average yearly temperature is in the 70's. Novices and pros
come to sail the bay, the Jetties, Boca Chica, and the
Ditch, site of some of the fastest windsurfing speeds in
North America.
Kite
boarding
Kiteboarding is fast becoming the
hottest new water sport and South Padre Island offers year- round,
world-class Kiteboarding conditions. consistent winds offer
beginner to expert riders near perfect flat-water conditions
to hone their skills. Advanced kite boarders will enjoy
riding the Laguna Madre and the waves of the Gulf of Mexico.
Experienced, certified instructors are available to teach
you about this exciting sport. For the fun of it call South
Padre Kiteboarding
Andy Bowie Park
At the northern end of the South Padre Island town limits.
Travel north on Park Road 100 to the South Padre Island
Convention Center. Next to the convention center is the
popular Laguna Madre Nature Trail, a must for nature
enthusiasts and bird watchers. Across the road from the
convention center are the parks day use facilities.
Completed in early 1994,
 these
include two beachfront picnic pavilions, umbrella and
boogie-board rentals, concessions, a unique children's
playground, shower facilities and a ranger station. Ask the
Andy Bowie manager about group rental facilities for private
beach parties. Further north in the park you will find
horseback riding and a beachfront access road which opens up
twenty miles of drive on the beach for the more adventurous.
On the bay side of the park, you'll find popular spots for
windsurfing and wade fishing. Entry $4 per vehicle.
One of the top 10 small zoos in the country. The zoo is a
31-acre preserve with more than 1,800 mammals, birds, and
reptiles. Located at Ringgold and Sixth streets in
Brownsville. Open daily from 9 a.m. to sundown. Adults $6;
children $3. 956-546-7187.
Isla Blanca Park
 on
the southernmost tip of South Padre Island, is the crown
jewel of the system. Over one mile of clean, white beach
along the Gulf of Mexico offers abundant waterfront
recreational facilities, and our beachfront facilities make
the clear gulf waters accessible to all. Enjoy our picnic
and playground areas, the south fishing jetty, restaurants
and clubs, Sea Ranch Marina, U.T. Pan American Coastal
Studies Laboratory exhibits, and the Chapel By The Sea
non-denominational church. There is also a full service
marina with daily charters, the world renowned Schlitterbahn
Beach Water park South Padre Island, and a boat ramp.
Support facilities include a laundry and retail shops. New
webcams with live views of the beach. With nearly 600 R.V.
spaces, we are not only one of the biggest parks in Texas,
but also the best! Popular jetty fishing and surfing area.
Entry $4 per vehicle before 5pm, $2 after 5pm
Island Equestrian Center
Horseback riding on the beach North of city limits. Not a
trail ride - no single file riding. Children 4 and first
time riders are welcome. Daily specials. Open year round,
weather permitting. Pony rides for children 4 and under.
Laguna Atascosa
National Wildlife Refuge
A 45,000-acre federal preserve for wildlife and bird
watching on the mainland. Open daily from sunrise to sundown
(about 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.). $2 per vehicle.
956-748-3608.
Laguna Madre Nature
Trail
Next to the Convention Centre and Whaling Wall No. 53, the
Laguna Madre Nature Trail is a 1,500-foot boardwalk that
extends across four acres of wetlands. Containing
informative signs about dune systems and bird species that
frequent the area,
the nature trail provides visitors with the opportunity to
observe many species of birds and other wildlife in their
natural habitat. The idea of the Laguna Madre Nature Trail
was conceived by naturalist Ed Hawkins. It is dedicated to
his memory. Both the Whaling Wall and nature trail are
always open to the public free of charge and can be accessed
through the circle driveway leading up to the Convention
Centre. The South Padre Island Convention Centre is located
at 7355 Padre Blvd. at the north end of town.
Laguna Station
.
Located on South Padre Island, Laguna Station offers a
variety of exciting aquatics adventures to Boy Scout Troops
and co-ed explorer posts. Fishing, sailing, scuba and Island
adventures round out the opportunities. Laguna Station also
offers off-season camping and programs to church youth
groups and other youth groups. For more information, call
Glenn Harrison, director, at (956) 423-0250, or write:
Laguna Station, Rio Grande Council, 1301 S. 77 Sunshine
Strip, Harlingen, TX 78550.
Matamoros, Mexico
.
 Bargain
shopping for silver, leather goods, and handicrafts at
vibrant Mexican markets. Traditional dining, museums. Thirty
minutes southwest of the Island. Escorted tours available.
Inquire about discount tickets for tours and trips to this
great two nation vacation hot spot for shopping inside
either of our Beachside Resort locations
Schlitterbahn Beach
Water Park
Offers a fun dining experience with spectacular views of the
Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre. Open 4 pm-10pm Monday -
Friday and 11 am -
10pm Saturday and Sunday. No water park admission fee
required to dine at Club Rio Beach. Enjoy fabulous
brick-oven hand-made pizza, seafood, steaks, burgers and
more. 90 Park Rd, Highway 100.
Sea Turtle, Inc
Sea Turtle, Inc. was founded in 1977 by Ila Loetscher,
better known as "The Turtle Lady of South Padre Island." STI
was formed to aid and assist in the protection of Kemp's
Ridley Sea Turtle - and to ultimately restore the ridley
population to a level that will ensure its survival.
Through the years STI has expanded its scope to actively
support the conservation of all marine turtle species. To
achieve its goals, STI provides educational programs to
schools, tourist bureaus, civic organizations and new media.
University of
Texas-Pan American Coastal Studies Laboratory.
Several aquariums containing sea life indigenous to
the area, as well as an extensive shell collection. Located
in Isla Blanca Park. Open Sunday through Friday from
1:30-4:30 p.m. Free admission to the lab, but must pay $4
admission to the park. Phone: 956/761-2644.
Whaling Wall
Internationally-known environmental artist
Wyland picked South Padre Island to paint Whaling Wall #53,
his only wall in Texas. Wyland is planning to paint 100
walls during his career to educate people on the importance
of marine conservation.
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