Which side of Padre Island is better?
Beaches in South Padre Island are objectively more scenic and isolated than those on the North end of the Padre Island National Seashore. Gulf waters are tested annually and South Padre Island regularly rates among the safest, cleanest water.
South Padre Island is definitely one of those destinations. After spending four days there, I concluded that not only is it a great destination for people who love the heat and the outdoors, but it's also a year-round destination that can appeal to everyone from Spring Breakers to families with kids.
Central South Padre is the best area to stay in South Padre Island. Here you'll find the main attractions, great restaurants, and hotels like Rain Dancer.
South Padre Island beach
One of the big draws of spending time on South Padre is, of course, the beach! The navigable portion of the island is about 12 miles long, and there's quality beach along the whole coast. And you can swim year-round. The weather was warm and balmy, even in December.
Swimming at the National Seashore can be a lot of fun! You can swim in the recreation area at Bird Island Basin or in the Gulf of Mexico. However, please remember that safety is important, and there are no lifeguards on duty.
A: No. South Padre Island provides a free public transportation system called the Island Metro or you can take a taxi. The Island is also easily walkable and bike-friendly.
With 34 miles of beautiful white sand and clear emerald water, South Padre Island is one of the world's most exquisite barrier islands – and the only tropical Island in Texas. Calm weather and water and more than 300 days of sunshine make South Padre Island a great place to live and visit all year.
While the days on South Padre Island are meant for relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun, the nighttime is for partying. If you are looking for some fun, evening activities the island has ample nightclubs, bars, and live music to choose from.
Surfside Beach
Yes, it's totally and completely legal to drink to your heart's content on South Padre Island, as well as around the Padre Island National Seashore near the Northern end of the island, which is also open to local boozers looking to escape the heavy crowds back on the main island.
The Island's clubs and bars allow students 18 years of age or older to enter, though you must be 21+ to drink. By day, students flock to Clayton's Beach Bar, home to the largest spring break beach stage in the world hosting up to 25,000 students per day + BYOB friendly during the day.
Do you go through Border Patrol in South Padre?
As an approved port of entry, the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport has a Federal Inspection Station, manned by US Customs and Border Protection, for clearing arriving and departing aircraft.
The hurricane season starts June 1 and ends November 30. The peak threat for the Texas coast exists from August through September. However, hurricanes can and have struck the Texas coast during every month of the hurricane season (though none in November since before 1851).
In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in South Padre Island is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.1 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.1 °C (51.9 °F) and a maximum of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F). On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F).
Yes! The water temperature in South Padre Island in december is pleasant. Swimming in december is pleasant in South Padre Island and the surrounding area. The sea temperature is 71°F on average (min/max: 67°F/76°F), allowing you to swim for a long time and enjoy water sports.
Swimming in january on the beaches of South Padre Island is possible but the sea water is cool. So even though the sea temperature sometimes climbs to 72°F, it can also be as low as 65°F! Note that the average is 68°F.
