South Padre Island

Body surfing, fishing, making sand castles, sitting under an umbrella on the beach, reading a book, beverage in a koozie beside me, beach chairs, sandy towels, flip flops, walking along the waters edge early in the morning, and later in the evening (when the sand cools down.) Jumping and hopping on the beach when sand is hot and you've not worn your shoes; the great feel when you splash your way into the water, and slam down into the waves; wading FAR out and still being up to your waist on a sandbar. Shells, starfish, seagulls! Going out on the boat to see dolphins...splashing and snorting their way along right by the side of the boat! Fishing at Jim's Pier, snow cones in Port Isabel, shopping for groceries at WalMart, sleeping in....that great tired you feel after a full day of playing in the sun. South Padre Island keeps you young! See dining suggestions in this journal also.

Quick Tips:

Wear your sunscreen at all times. There is a breeze blowing all the time, but don't be fooled. You will get burned, if you're not careful. You will need shoes to walk across the hot sand to where you'll set up camp for the day on the beach. There are parks where you can park your car, with restrooms. If you drive along Gulf Blvd, look for public entryways...park on the street, and walk down to the beach for free. Plenty of trash cans, so please use those. South Padre Island is a clean place, and they rake the beach each morning. You can wade / surf fish, or swim, or surf...the waves are not ferocious, so good for little ones, too. If you have a boat, bring it! You can call ahead to Jim's Pier and reserve a boat slip, and you're right on the Bay for fishing, or any other water sports! If you don't have a boat, you can go out on fishing charters - see my other journals with photos - or on a dolphin watching cruise!

Best Way To Get Around:

Fly into Brownsville or Harlingen airports, depending on your airline. Take SurfTran to the island - make arrangements ahead of time. You don't NEED a car on the island, as there is a little bus/trolley that drives along the main road to take you where you need to go. Having a car IS better, though, as you may want to see the Gladys Porter Zoo - a great zoo, or take the 45 minute drive down to Matamoros, Mexico, or across the bridge to Port Isabel for a snowcone, WalMart, or to see the Lighthouse. The Blue Marlin grocery store on the island is well-stocked, and not terribly overpriced, but you may want to do your big shopping at WalMart in Port Isabel before you drive over the bridge.

Best Things Nearby:
The property is right on the beach! A short drive to the Bay side, and if you position yourself just right, you can have a view of the gulf & the bay! Fishing, beaching, eating, dolphin watching, swimming, enjoying the beautiful water, beach & weather!

Best Things About the Resort:
Location. Timeshare properties are limited on S. Padre Island. We've stayed here 2 times, and have been pleased. The units are "beach friendly"...not luxurious, but withstand the water and sand. Kitchen was well-appointed, and location is truly good. The pool looks nice, though honestly never went in. When on the beach, why would I go in the pool?

Resort Experience:
This is a different S. Padre Island experience, than if you rented a beach house. The beach is more crowded in front of this high-rise, as it is in front of all the condos, and more highly congested areas. You can enjoy the hubbub, or venture down further for a little more seclusion. There is an elevator to take you to your floor, but often the wait in the hot garage was a bit unbearable. The unit itself was good size, and had been well cared for. Location is good; close to anything you'd want to do on the Island. I don't remember any particular resort activities, but then again, we were with our family, so maybe didn't notice.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Good

Some of the best shrimp cocktail we've ever had. Great shrimp fettucini! Service was attentive, but not rushing. This had burned down years ago, and was rebuilt. Along with the new building, there seems to be a new attitude, and attention to quality. A fine meal. Don't plan to rush through this one. Enjoy, lay back, and plan on some great seafood. One of the more dressy places you'll find on the Island, but nice sundress, or shorts & top are all right. Nothing sloppy will fit in, though. You see a lot of business account folks there (from the convention center business)...A good choice.

This has to be mentioned, because who doesn't crave an ice cream like product while at the beach? This TCBY offers all the flavors, cones, etc....and a nice little seating area if you choose to stay cool and rest inside. Also worth mentioning, the CLEANEST RESTROOMS I've ever seen in an eating establishment like this! Friendly staff, quick service, great product! A good place to stop!

We always keep our boat, and buy all of our supplies (gas, beverages, ice) at Jim's Pier. They run a great business, and we keep returning to them. After you come in, you can clean your fish right there on the pier, with their hoses, and the whole set-up. The bay is very shallow..and you should talk to a local (or better yet, get a guide the first time you go out) about channel markers - critical to understand - and where the best fishing is. There is a strong network of fishing guides on the island. Jim's Pier can recommend to you. Go out before sunrise (if you know your way) and enjoy the stillness of the water, like glass, and the sunrise. The bay is still pristine, and so shallow in some spots that you can see the bottom, and often stingrays and fish. Fishing is really good at this location. Many of the restaurants will cook your catch for you...ask about that.