South Padre Island lies on the southernmost tip of Texas and is situated on the south end of Padre Island, the longest Barrier Island in the world and the largest stretch of undeveloped ocean beach in North America . It sits just 30 miles north of Mexico and is linked to the mainland by a two and a half mile long bridge, the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway.
Beautiful beaches, warm Gulf waters, fishing, kiteboarding, windsurfing,boating, bird watching, shopping, and a diversity of year-round activities await every visitor. As the days wind down with breathtaking sunsets over the bay, night clubs and restaurants come alive with conversation, dining, music and dancing. Many restaurants will even cook your catch! No matter what your interests, South Padre Island offers one of the most fantastic beach vacation destinations in the world.
The 34 mile-long barrier reef is about a 1/2 mile at its widest point and has about 5,000 inhabitants and about one million visitors annually. Streets are bustling with retail shops, resort hotels, condominium towers, restaurants and recreational activities. This little slip of land was initially named "Isla Blanca" or "White Sand" when it first charted in 1519 by Spanish explorer Alonzo de Pineda. In 1804, missionary priest Jose Nicholas Balli established the first settlement after the initial grant was made by Spain's King Charles IV. It was incorporated in 1973, and the bridge was completed a year later. The Island is a year-round vacation destination, because it enjoys a sub-topical climate. Jacketless winters have an average temperature of 65 degrees; breezy summers have an average temperature of 82 degrees; and there is an average of 253 days of picturesque sunshine.
