What does the water look like in South Padre Island?
The waters of South Padre Island are not blue but bluish-green or turquoise. Many travelers describe the island sea as a clear emerald. The waters are clear and suitable for snorkeling and scuba diving, with good visibility but can be cold in the winter months.
Water Quality
Gulf waters are tested annually and South Padre Island regularly rates among the safest, cleanest water. The water is clearer, warmer, and calmer than other beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.
Today's South Padre Island sea temperature is 78 °F.
Yes! Mustang Island State Park has beautiful white sandy beaches. Where is the clearest water in Texas? The beach with the clearest water in Texas is Boca Chica beach on South Padre Island.
South Padre Island 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.
Conclusion. The waters of South Padre island may not be blue like many of the Caribbean islands, but it is a beautiful turquoise color and clean and clear.
While the island is still home to spring breakers for just over a month, the area has seen a rebirth of sorts as a popular family vacation destination. That's because South Padre, or SPI, delivers with wide sandy beaches, sparkling blue water and a mixture of fun activities for kids of all ages.
The water is not blue and clear nor is it mucky and brown. It will be nice enough but cannot compare to the Caribbean or Mexico's resort beaches. The "mucky and brown" is due to proximity to the mouth of the Mississippi and as South Padre is a good distance from there the water quality is much better than Galveston. 2.
There is no lifeguard at Padre Island National Seashore- swimming is at your own risk! Use caution when swimming and never swim alone. Strong currents flowing parallel to the beach, tides flowing to and from the beach and sudden drop-offs in the surf can be dangerous for swimmers and waders alike.
The current weather report for South Padre Island TX, as of 10:45 AM CDT, has a sky condition of Light Rain with the visibility of 8.00 miles. It is 73 degrees fahrenheit, or 22 degrees celsius and feels like 73 degrees fahrenheit.
Why is South Padre Island so popular?
South Padre Island is known for the beautiful and calm sea that surrounds it. Some of the most interesting historical relics of the island lie deep at the bottom of its local waters. On April 29th, 1554, three Spanish ships sank off the coast of South Padre Island when a storm hit.
South Padre Island
The second most shark-infested Texas beach is actually a whole island of beaches. South Padre Island has had eight total shark attacks. The first occurred in 1953, and the most recent occurred in 2011. None of the attacks were fatal, and most resulted in only minor injuries.

The pass, which separates Brazos Island and South Padre Island, has a navigable water depth of 42 feet (13 meters) and channel length of about 1.15 miles (1.8 kilometers).
The island is well-known for its beautiful white sandy beaches, calm weather, and excellent clear Gulf water. South Padre weather varies but rarely gets below 62 degrees. With mild winters and year-round fun, you can visit any time of the year to see and do it all.
Federal project depths are 44 feet in the Brazos Santiago Pass entrance channel, thence 42 feet through the jetty channel and across Laguna Madre to the junction of the channels leading to Port Brownsville and Port Isabel, 36 feet to Port Isabel turning basin, and 42 feet from the junction to the Brownsville Turning ...
The top area here is Central South Padre, where you'll find the main attractions and best hotels with great facilities like outdoor swimming pools (essential in the summer)! I've also got 2 more areas for you, perfect for nature lovers and families; the Northern End and Southern End.
Padre Island National Seashore is a national park located just outside of Corpus Christi that includes about 70 miles of undeveloped beaches and natural habitat. South Padre Island is a resort community located near Brownsville with numerous hotels, clubs, and souvenir shops.
Padre Island National Seashore (PINS): No reports of red tide. For the most up-to-date information about conditions in this area, please contact the Padre Island National Seashore directly.
1. Lake Mackenzie. Lake Mackenzie's clear waters are perfect for boating and fishing. One of the finest and purest lakes in Texas, Lake Mackenzie is a hidden gem for a summer vacation in the little Panhandle town of Silverton, only a short drive from Lubbock.
- Lanikai Beach, Hawaii.
- Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach, Hawaii.
- Waimea Bay Beach Park, Hawaii.
- Kailua Beach, Hawaii.
- Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico. ...
- Huntington Beach, California.
- Pacific Beach, California.
- La Jolla Cove, California.
Is South Padre Island water warm?
South Padre Island sea temperatures peak in the range 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F) on around the 28th of August and are at their minimum on about the 5th of February, in the range 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F). Year round warm sea temperatures at South Padre Island climb to their warmest in the fourth week of August.
Some tips: South Padre Island IS the best of the two. It has better beaches, better accomodations, better restuarants and, in my opinion, friendlier people. However, I love both towns! Corpus is closer to the major cities and more things to do, but SPI....it's just in the smack middle of nowhere.
Residents south of South Padre Island Drive can use tap water for all but drinking, cooking and washing dishes. However, city officials recommended not using water to bathe infants, young children and those with compromised immunity.
Isla Blanca Park
Located on South Padre Island, Texas, this beach is ideal for a day of relaxation and fun. The beach is clean and pristine, with white sand and crystal-clear water. It's the perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities.
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 best time to visit South Padre Island is from September to February. Unless you are planning to join in on the spring break fun – rowdy partying at all hours of the day – you'll find this tiny town rather unbearable in March.
South Padre Island, Texas's cost of living is 5% lower than the national average. The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, its average salary and the real estate market of that area.
On Sept 15, 2001, a causeway bridge leading from Port Isabel to South Padre Island collapsed and killed eight people. Twenty years later, survivors and rescuers can talk about it for the first time.
Rockport Beach is Texas' first and only Blue Wave Beach, meaning it is incredibly clean and free of litter. Rockport Beach also has fishing piers, playgrounds, and even an area to protect migratory birds, giving you and your family plenty of options while you are visiting.
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.
What is the whitest beach in Texas?
1. Whitecap Beach. Precisely to its name, Whitecap Beach is a scenic white sandy beach situated in the heart of North Padre Island.
Other beaches that are even more secluded include North Access Beach (which actually encompasses a few different beach accesses) and Port Mansfield Beach. To get to these beaches, you must drive thirty miles north from Beach Access 6, at which point you'll have reached Port Mansfield Beach and its accompanying jetties.
While a day on South Padre Island consists of sand and sun, a bit of adventure and alot of relaxing, it is no surprise that the island's carefree atmosphere combined with tropical scenery creates some great night vibes for a sunset toast at one of our bayside or beachfront bars, or an energetic evening at one of the ...
free. According to many, the best way to experience South Padre's wild side is to take a stroll along the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, a boardwalk that runs from the South Padre Island Convention Centre out to the Laguna Madre wetlands.
Although there are wild alligators around South Padre Island, they rarely wander into the surfside areas, where beachgoers swim and enjoy the coast.
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two unusual species of jellyfish have increasingly washed up on the shores at South Padre Island. The Blue Button jellyfish and Portuguese Man of War jellyfish are washing ashore in large numbers and experts say it's best to avoid them.
Our most commonly seen spiders are part of the Scorpions are a close relative to spiders, having eight legs, no antennae or wings, and they possess large pincers called pedipalps and their characteristic stinger. They are uncommon to see in the park as they are primarily nocturnal, however, use caution.
Storm damage and structure issues
In September 1967, Hurricane Beulah caused extensive damage to much of the town of South Padre Island. On July 23, 2008, Hurricane Dolly made landfall on the island as a category 1 storm, also causing extensive damage to the town.
South Padre Island has made the Top 100 snorkeling spots list in Scuba Diving magazine many times over the years.
Once you get into the bay, the water gets a little more shallow, so if you fall off your board, you're met with a swampy, squishy ground. It's quite unpleasant, so I would recommend a pair of water shoes. Buy your own, or buy some from Bayside Water Rentals.
Is it worth it to go to South Padre Island?
Is South Padre Island worth visiting? Absolutely! South Padre is worth visiting for its beautiful beaches, outdoor activities, and local attractions. Whether you're hoping to achieve a relaxing beach vacation or an action-packed adventure, this Texas island is a fantastic choice.
SPI, as it's known, is a city located on a barrier island of the same name, just 20 or so miles, as the piping plover flies, from the border with Mexico.
Being located so close to the Mexico border tourists often find fun in crossing the border for some great shopping and dining experiences. Be sure to bring your passport though! If traveling over the border isn't your style, don't worry; South Padre Island is often thought of as an English-speaking Mexican resort.
South Padre Island is a 2.2 mile (5,000-step) route located near South Padre Island, Texas, USA.
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.
Rockport, Texas is home to Rockport Beach, a Blue Wave-certified beach according to the Clean Beaches Coalition (along with Padre Island National Seashore beaches Malaquite Beach, Little Shell Beach, and Big Shell Beach), which means it follows certain principles for conservation and environmental protection.
Park Entrance Fees. All park visitors are required to purchase a recreational use pass upon entering Padre Island National Seashore.
Alcohol and booze are allowed on the beach, making the beach one of the best hangout places on the island. South Padre Island is only 30 minutes away from Mexico, so tons of booze cruises and day trips are offered to Matamoros, Mexico, where there are dozens of shops and bars.
The pass, which separates Brazos Island and South Padre Island, has a navigable water depth of 42 feet (13 meters) and channel length of about 1.15 miles (1.8 kilometers).