Every year when I visit South Padre Island, one of my favorite stops is always Sea Turtle Inc. It’s such a special place filled with heart, compassion, and dedication to protecting these incredible creatures. I’m amazed by how much they’ve grown and how deeply they continue to educate and inspire our community. It is was bittersweet, when two of my favorite residents, Allison and Fred, are no longer with us. They touched so many lives and will be forever missed—but their legacy lives on in every turtle that Sea Turtle Inc. rescues and releases. Thank you to everyone there for the love and care you pour into your work. 🐢💚

Unexpected amazing time!! This place makes you fall in love! Lily was so awesome and personable. She showed me around and taught me about what they do here. I appreciate the education. I love sea turtles! Thank you!

I CANNOT say enough about this amazing establishment!!! What they do to protect and educate on the local sea turtle population in the area is amazing!! Pricing is perfect and if you arrive before 10:30am you can see them feed the resident turtles. ❤️❤️❤️ a great experience for the whole family!!

This is one of the preeminent sea turtle conservation places in the world. They have vets specializing in the five sea turtle species and maintain a number of large tanks with sea turtles that cannot be reintroduced to the oceans (due to injury, genetics or familiarity w humans). One exhibit is their effort to save 5000+ sea turtles from freezing during a cold snap in the early 2000's. Well worth a visit and donation.

If you love sea turtles this is the place to visit. These poor creatures have been rescued from harrowing situations at sea. Here they are nursed back to health if possible from fishing nets and propeller strikes and frigid temperatures. These creatures are stunning to watch. Lots of great information given about the turtles. So much to learn.

Turtle Turtle. Other than a short grumpy lady that works there the place is awesome. She might be great but put her behind the scene or out in the field. I know y'all know who we are talking about. Quik questions I meant to ask while I was there. The flags that y'all use y'all could not find any material that is safer for the environment? People on the beach laughing at yall using plastic flags talking about how bad plastic is?????????? ❤️❤️❤️

I visited Sea Turtle Inc in South Padre Island and absolutely loved it! It was amazing to see the rescued turtles up close and learn about their recovery. The work they do to protect and rehabilitate sea turtles is truly inspiring. It’s definitely a must-visit if you’re in the area!

I loved it here! The walk around was awesome. Lots of birds and random fish. The views were dope also they take pics with an alligator and a snake for 10 bucks. 12$ to walk and see the views for the day to come and go whenever you want.

So much fun feeding the juvenile gators & tortoises! Upgraded the experience and got a photo with a boa & baby gator. The man who we saw to hold them was funny, educational, and seems to have a passion for what he does. The boardwalk was nice and we saw some cool birds. Waited for Big Padre to take a breath lol and got to see him too. The observation tower was cool & there was an informational center on the second floor.

Great place to get out and see authentic Texas wildlife! The boardwalk was very lively when we went, lots of birds out and about fishing in the water, so us birdwatchers were able to get lots of good shots. And inside the building they had this amazing show presented by a very energetic host. (wish I remembered his name! Longer hair, tattoos, very passionate about his job!) If you’re in the area for an event like the RGV birding festival, this is a must see!

Awesome little gem, amazing kind staff.. Plenty of animals and displays on 2 floors inside main pavilion with a multi story tower to walk up with great views of the estuaries and bay on backside of island... large boardwalk through the mangroves with plenty of animal exhibits outside and viewing of wildlife in the mangroves and tidal coast... definitely recommend for families with kiddos or people who enjoy seeing animals and nature... prices aren't bad either, easily justifiable for the experience. Can pay a bit extra and feed animals or upgrade to adventure package...

Everything about this place was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! We paid for a family of four and that also included my son petting the snake/alligators/feeding the turtles, it ended up costing us $47. The views were awesome to say the least. We saw Roseate Spoonbills, Great Blue Herons, Egrets, White Ibises, and many more shore birds. We also saw Big Padre for a good few seconds. He had just finished eating and dug himself under the sand, which I'm guessing he was putting himself down for a nap haha. We also got some good information from the employees. They have a beautiful gift shop too. There are many nice backdrops which offer great opportunities for photos.

Well Maintained place. Its a treat for the kids and adults alike. Get there as soon as they open or before sunset to watch birds in flocks. Would love to visit again.

We (newly retired couple) booked a naturalist led birding tour from 8:30-10:50a. The nature center's extensive boardwalks, bird blinds and volunteer birding experts made for a wonderful outing. Without the guides we would have missed 75% of the birds and water fowl we were able to see. Definitely recommend!

The hotel and resort itself was exactly what we were looking for. The rooms are nicely furnished, there's 3 fun pools to enjoy, it's right on the ocean, there's 2 fun outdoor beach huts to get food, and nice dining inside. They also had live music, free yoga, and other events going. So the vibe was awesome! However, they have not maintained all these amenities well. The first room we got had a window that wasn't sealed, and there were dozens of moths in it. They changed to us to a new room, downsizing from a king to a queen, and didn't comp us anything for the negative experience. The new room only had one bedside stand, which my husband claimed, so I had to put my phone and water on the floor to reach for during the night. The lamp shades had burnt spots, there was hair on the towels and sheets, mildew in several places, and everything was sticky. The pool for the swim-up bar was very dirty, and I kid you not, they played loud party music at the pool (which the rooms surround) from 8am until 11pm. We called on Monday night at 10:15pm to tell them no one is in the pool and ask if they could turn it off, and they said no it goes to 11pm, but they did turn it down slightly. Once they were out of towels, and another time we got the last ones. We also called the front desk several different times on different days, and no one ever answered. So while we made the most of it and had a blast, we won't ever be returning to stay, though we'd consider a day pass!

Stayed at this location this past weekend. My family and I enjoyed it. The staff was great, and the complimentary breakfast was good. The staff was always helpful and answered any questions we had. The rooms had everything we needed, though you’ll likely spend most of your time at the beach anyway. The pool area was also well maintained and there was easy access to the beach. I’ll definitely be staying at this location on my next trip.

My husband and I came to celebrate our anniversary and we’re greeted by the BEST bartending service. Karlos was amazing and so attentive. Social. And played excellent music. He gave drink selections and was very knowledgeable. Great service.

The AC was poor, the water pressure was non existent, linens were old and yellow, furniture was dated. Room service was non responsive the entire trip. The bartenders at the pool bar and beach bar were very attentive and respectful. The food service in the restaurant was good. One of the days we were there all the ice machines were inoperable one of the days. On one of the days we were there a random person keyed into our room and they weren’t staff at the hotel. Reported it to the front desk and all they did was say they would “keep an eye out” and redo my key. The outside facilities need upkeep or restoration. We will not be staying there again.

We booked a 2 night stay, but left after one night. We booked an ocean front view, but it turned out to be a very long walk (equivalent to several blocks round trip) to reach tower B from the lobby. My husband is 100% disabled Vietnam veteran, and no one mentioned the walking involved. They agreed to move us to tower A ground floor, and that helped. They ought to list that long walk in ads. The tub looked shiny and clean, but if you want a bath mat you have to request one from lobby?? Breakfast is only available for an extra fee. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone over the age of 50!

I’ll begin with the Welcoming! The welcoming from the staff was very good! The staff made sure you were taken care of and forthcoming with any request. Alina Rivera was excellent! Her and her staff took care of any and every request that was requested. It didn’t matter at what time if the day or night! Once a request was made, “On it” was a response and sure enough it was done! I highly recommend this establishment for your stay, either it’s for vacation, work, or a simple visit, you won’t be disappointed. I can’t express my gratitude enough for Alina Rivera and her staff! Highly recommend it!

This “resort” is nothing special. Definitely not worth the price you pay. The “arcade” is empty. The pool is in bad repair, we pulled multiple loose tiles out. The small pool where the bar is, under the fountain is black mold. The splash pad area either doesn’t work or they just don’t turn it on. The rooms themselves aren’t in great condition. Our TV stand/dresser has a big hole in the side. The bathroom is so small you have to practically stand in the tub to close the door. The beds were okay. There is the restaurant in the hotel, a pizza place by the pool, a bar inside and a bar outside. Them seem to have entertainment inside most nights. But honestly, the worst part of all was the dumb wristband that they make adults wear. Paying over $200 a night you would think that the hotel could afford something more convenient, at least something you could take on and off when you don’t need it. We won’t be back to this hotel. And that’s what I would call this place, a hotel with some nice amenities. Not a resort, in my personal opinion.

My husband and I stayed here for a few weeks in January and had a great experience. There is easy access to the beach and a nice boardwalk if you don't want to walk in the sand. Because we came off season, a lot of places were closed or had limited hours, but we enjoyed walking into town. There's also a free trolley that was really convenient. Checking in was a little confusing. We ended up at the guard shack and were told we needed to turn around and check in at the building on the corner. The bathrooms and park were well maintained.

We had a nice time here. Our site C193, had a great location near the sidewalk path and not too far from the bathhouse. The bathhouse near us had 2 separate rooms, one with 2 stalls and the other with 3 showers. The showers were large and made it easy enough to bath me and my daughter. They were pretty old and cracked though so that is the only complaint there. There was a code to get into both. The beach access, jetty, and lagoon area were enjoyable. The time we were there a lot of tar was washing up on the beach and we weren't aware of what it was and we had a hard time cleaning it off. The reason for the 4 star rating is because of the check in process and the entry into the park. We were never told check in was before arrival at the gate. The rude person at the gate then made us go back, which required a complete drive through the park as there was no way to turn around in our large RV. When we got to check in, there was a long line and it took over a half an hour. Each time we entered the park there was a long line at entry and it would be nice if there was a separate entrance for those with passes who didn't need to pay. All in all we had a great time, but those inconveniences made entering the park a hassle. Beautiful sunrise over the Gulf, sunset over the bay, and it's cool watching the large container ships through the canal

This was our first time to visit this area. The beach was great, full of families and clean. The peer was really cool to explore and to watch the launch of the SpaceX rocket. A treat indeed. I recommend this as the best viewing area for the rocket launches and for excellent fishing.

Don't love that you have to pay to get to this area of the island. We went here for people to fish at the Jetty's and to see the statue. While waiting, some of us went to the beach. There are amenities at this beach that were nice such as showers and someone selling ice cream - but the location being so close to the Jetty's made the surf really calm and kinda boring compared to beaches further north that had nice waves. Good beach for little kids with an insane amount of seashells.

This is a large, very clean park with restrooms. We went there to watch a SpaceX launch and spend the day on the beach. There was a $12 charge per car.

Weather was perfect and so clean out here . The restrooms were clean as well. Will be coming back with my family. $12.00 packing wasn't bad at all with great parking.

This is the first time we go to this area since the reconstruction. It’s so beautiful comfortable for everything for the close to the beach parking the concierge area with restroom, showers and even a little snack shop. It’s really beautiful. They have done an amazing job remodeling. I can’t wait to go back with all my family again even my dog enjoy the time and it was his first time at the beach. It is $12 to go in by per car, but it’s really worth it to pay and be safe, then go to the other areas where your kids are exposed to cars passing by the , and the open ocean. I will never take my grandkids there.

Full hook ups. Spots are close together. Basically a large parking lot. Short walk to beach. Showers ok, had hot water. Park pass give you free access to access #5, save you 12 bucks.

If you’re looking for a quiet retreat in your camper. This is the spot for you. A real good getaway from the crowded parks. Beach a short walk and you can only hear the waves crashing all night. Will return.

It's a decent place to stay. Close to the beach, nice trail to it. Also close to the convention center, laguna Madre nature trail, gift shop and Clayton's! The spots are a bit small and close together for bigger rigs. It's kind of just like a parking lot but with hookups. Nobody spoke to me while I was there, other than at check in, but it's a peaceful place.

The beach was very clean! They have bathrooms where you park. Only downside was when we went, they didn't have soap. Other than that it was a great experience. People were maintaining their distance, which was awesome. Most were not wearing masks though. We did make sure to wear our mask when people started getting closer and walking by us. It was not crowded at all, which me it very easy to social distance.

Beach was well groomed, and clean. The sand was white and very powdered like white powdered sugar. There must have been 6 or more shades ow blue to green clean water, with nice white caps rolling into the beach. Nice area to visit; South Padre Islands!

Lovely park, nice welcoming friendly staff, ample parking, clean property, $10 entry, but close at 5:30pm Sundays, can't even watch the sunset? That is much too early to close. People smoking cigarettes on the beach gave me a headache, $10 to get a headache, be nice if smoking on the beach was banned, even if it isn't, please don't.

Absolutely stunning. Over all very clean and decent parking. Plenty of rental areas if you need chairs or lounge chairs. Great place to watch the fireworks on Fridays and Saturdays. $10 for my car load and it was good all day so I could come and go as i needed to. The guy in the booth was excellent as well. He an answered all my questions honestly and was very patient with me.

i met andy in port aransas around the time of the texas sandfest 2025. he was absolutely brilliant, engaging, and funny. he included my family in a sandcastle demonstration and explained common myths/misunderstandings behind the science of sandcastles. i highly recommend visiting him at texas sandfest or other lessons- would definitely be worth your time!!

We visited this place, its makes me amazed how people do it nice! I love the artistic! Not need to pay just donation, I love to be here! It was really good to visit this place while on vaction in South Padre Island. Check it out! :)

We took the kids to see the sandcastle during our visit to the island, and they were thrilled with it. They love it. It is a great scene to explore. Very beautiful, and show the amazing work that the artists did. It is a must to see.

Probably been out too long and has deteriorated- but go check some of the other fabulous sandcastles all around the island! They are awesome!

Didn't look like the photos online, possibly because of the storms, but would expect it to hold up a bit better considering it seems to be a landmark. Very underwhelming.

Of course it was Christmas themed but the detail and size of each one was remarkable. I'm hoping they will remake all of them and I'll go back and see what they do.

Good customer service. There are sandcastles spread throughout the island, most of which can't be seen from the main road. The front desk has a map of all the sandcastles.

Great free boardwalk to see birds and wildlife. It has the same view as the paid birding center boardwalk next door. There are also clean public toilets at the start, plenty of parking, and a nice Wyland mural to look at.

This place is very deceiving. We went there under the assumption that we could walk along several wooden trails and watch wildlife and birds. Free of charge, you can only walk on the single wooden trail. You have access to 2 small ponds. Only one of them had several birds. If you want access to other wooden trails, you have to buy a ticket to their Bird center, which costs $12 pp. Walked around for 5 minutes and left. Nothing else to do there.

Stunning sunset views. Very quiet and calm. Great for evening walks.

Nice boardwalk stroll, lots & lots of different species of birds. Loved the little palapa at the end of the boardwalk for some shelter from the sun. Took some good pictures & videos. We missed the Bird & Nature Center by a half hour (they closed at 5pm), but it was nice to catch this little nature trail and still see some cool birds :) 🦅🕊️🦆🦢

Entrance is by the convention center with plenty of parking. At the entrance is a small but nice park and restrooms. The walkways to the bay have informative signage and wide paths with railings. Some sections are covered and have seating for taking a break and watching wildlife. Overall a nice relaxing way to enjoy birds and wildlife of the island bay side.

FREE. Very interesting little wildlife boardwalk. Needs to a couple of different piers in the area. Nice view of the wetlands and bay. No fishing allowed, so don't even think about it. Pictures encouraged though. Don't forget to check out the Wyland murals on the way out. Outdoor bathrooms open and for public use.

Fantastic place to go birding. Had fun finding new birds to add to my ever growing bird list. Next door to South Padre Island Birding Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary, yet so different. Free and a must see!

Dolphin sightseeing on boat was great. and pirate ship was awesome.

This was a great convention center! They were very accommodating, the AC was cold, the food they prepared was fantastic, and the staff all seemed to be very happy. I go to about 20 conferences a year, and this is one of the best convention centers I've been in.

The convention center is such a nice building to hold large events. Today I went to view the updates for the 2nd ceaseway that TXDot is pushing forward. The 1st photo shows the multiple options the bridge could go But, the next photo is the proposed spot where TXDot is planning the bridge. Very exciting to think we could have a new ceaseway to help our island from grid lock during accidents & storms.

The birding area and boardwalks are free and should not be missed if birding the island. Behind the convention center is a nice warbler trap with trees and brush. The side area has a water feature and good areas for warblers.

South Padre was cool place to visit. Thanks for the stay! Really appreciate that. I liked the service and staff. I am planning to return next year. We've drove through the whole island and gotta say that it's very beautiful place. Like the views!

South Padre Island in the middle of November has a lot of great deals on Hotels, restaurants, etc. Very few people around at this time.

We've been here for several events. Margaritas to Martinis. The convention center is a very nice spot here on the sandbar. Heck, it's even been host to hundreds of real cold 🐢s! The shows are all done by local talent and well presented! We love to Volunteer and support the arts here in Deep South Texas cause lord knows, this place needs the arts. These shows are 99.9% of the time SOLD OUT,, so get your tix early. Plotted. Scouts Out..

The kids had a blast. We went on July 3rd, and it was not that busy at all. It was perfect. My little ones did the kids' go carts, and then I took them on the 2 seater one. Then the kids did the Faris Wheel. Play mini golf yea. Core memories made. It was fun. The staff was very good and all seemed happy to be working out there.

If you're looking for a leisurely way to pass the time, this amusement spot can be a delightful little escape! We decided to tackle the mini golf course during our visit. While the layout may not have the most imaginative themes or eye-catching designs, it makes up for it with its cleanliness and well-maintained facilities. It’s a solid course that offers a casual round of golf without any frills. Whether you’re aiming for a fun date or a family outing, it provides just the right amount of entertainment to keep you engaged without overwhelming you. So, if you're in the area with some free time, give it a whirl!

This is an overall fun place. Hours are perfect due to the TX heat. It would be nice if they had a discounted price for all the rides, not just individual.

My daughter went on her birthday and she decided she wanted to do the bungee jumping here. She enjoyed it very much with her friends. You can hear some of them screaming they didn’t have as much fun as she did but she had been wanting to do this awhile already lol she ended getting to go twice because one of her friends changed her mind so she was laughing the second time around lol she’s so brave and crazy! It cost $25 per person and there are also go carts and mini golf but everything is sold separately and has to be paid for individually so I can add up quickly, but it’s definitely a cool spot to check out and your kids are definitely gonna wanna come here because all the bright lights on the rides when it’s dark outside are like bug zappers for kids lol they are just drawn to it definitely a cool spot!

Seriously over 10 workers , and we were the only 3 people inside the arcade, we asked 3 times, can someone help us with this game, we already put cash into , they literally looked at us and turned around and kept talking amongst each other . We played the one game with our son and left. Never again! And weve done the go carts before, those were fine.

If you are looking for a few hours to have a really great time stopped by here. We play mini-golf have not done that in a while, but WOW we had a blast!! Go carting and the reverse bungee cord we had a blast!!!

The experience was worth the wait. The race track was fun and lots of other rides too for the more adventurous

Cool fishing pier open 24 hours a day! $10 per fishing pole. Have seen speckled trout caught at night. Have heard of redfish being caught. Also lots of dolphin sightings!

Nice experienced. Before boarding the boat, you can enjoy souvenir shopping wandering around dock. During sailing, you have a chance to find some dolphins.

We visited this place on a Monday before returning home. We went to see the dolphins, and it was truly worth it. The staff at the bank are super friendly and kind, treating you incredibly well. The trip takes about two hours. The prices are great for the experience. 100% recommended.

We always stop here when in town. The service, the food, the atmosphere all can't be beat. We were so hungry we dove right in and I forgot pictures, but trust me... So Good! Servers are attentive. Bathrooms are clean. Lots of photo Ops and great views.

Super cute. Had lots of family fun. Clean. Limited parking. Would definitely visit again. Keep in mind, it is a fishing area, does smell very fishy. A little disorganized but staff is very friendly and understanding. Bilingual. Reasonable priced.

Amazing place...if you wanna get a different Amazing moment fishing, this is the place...

Well light pier. No bugs open 24/7. You can also see the dolphin swimming around and feeding

Small farmer's market on SPI Has a variety of food and homemade salsas, breads, and soaps. You can also find grass-fed beef plants and vegetables. Sometimes they have live music. Quick trip to the northern side of the island go if you get a chance. Open Sunday at noon time! Pet friendly!

Maybe I'm unfairly comparing it to the Brownsville markets but this was nothing more than an expensive yuppie catering service. Everything was overpriced. I guess parked between two large high end hotel/condos might have tipped me off.

All of the vendors were excellent! They was so nice, explained, suggested, and had such positive attitudes! Each one had a unique product or presentation. The veggies were much cheaper than the market and the baked goods were authentic. Also loves the multi flavored Kombucha stand granola, and coffee vendors. Can't wait to try all of my purchases!!

Very small, but cute. You will easily walk through this in about 10 min. They actually open at 10am. Some vendors don't arrive until after 11. Quantities are very limited, so if you're planning to buy stuff then get there early. Lots of samples were given, which was very nice. I was surprised no one was selling clothing, art or jewelry and there was only one vendor selling vegetables. No one was selling meat or seafood. You will find a lot of salsas, jellies, and soaps. The kettle corn was popular. There was a vendor selling brewed coffee for $1 a cup, very nice. I wish they had more vendors, they have the space.

this is a small local farmers market a good amount of variety and people are super friendly. It's the only place in town I could find bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts oh, there was also a vendor that had homemade jams that were outstandingly good two thumbs up.

This is a SMALL local farmer’s market with baked goods, honey, salsa, plants/cactus, some produce, jams, canned veggies, organic and vegan selections. Only open from 11 to 1 on Sunday at The Shores (Frankie’s realty). There is additional parking in an unpaved lot and along the road. Everything we have bought there has been fresh and good. Sometimes there are tamales and pizza vendors.

Love these places,the homemade,baked,organic homegrown veggies& pies,breads, etc

Neat little resale store. Check them out!

Wonderful stuff! I got an easy bake oven for one of my granddaughters! She asked and how could I say no. Store was lovely.

Very friendly staff and wonderful finds! They also had great sales. I would definitely recommend checking their store out!

Great stuff, great people. On the smaller side but you’ll definitely find some nice things here!

Nice little shop with great prices. I noticed they had a sale on not just one color but on 4 different colors. I have been on a search for vintage sewing patterns and vintage iron. As soon as I walked into the store bam vintage patterns. I purchased 6 of them with a vintage basket, which was on sale for 40% off. Customer service is a plus.

Cute little shop supports the local humane society Has a very diverse assortment of possible treasures for any happy thrifter to find Including delightful oddities such as a microwave tester

Well organized. Lots of good finds.

Free small museum in Isla Blanca Park by UTRGV. You'll find a main room and a couple of hall ways with shells and bones of all types of sea animals. It's informative and a good escape from the heat. There is also a small gift shop inside.

Great museum and lab! This place has a lot of native specimens. They offer great classes as well. From Fish Prints (Gyotaku), Mammal Stranding Classes, etc. Yesterday I got to attend a Project Aquatic WILD training here yesterday and definitely want to head back. They also have a floating classroom called the RIDLEY.

Loved it. Very nice and knowledgeable staff. Even has a newly acquired Walrus tusk. Great place for family outings. Also Great place for school field trips 👌 🙌 👍 🙂 Will visit again!!!!!

I didn't even know this existed, but they have a great display of items from our coastal waters. Worthy of visiting when nearby.

The Lab's shell collection spans from the Atlantic to the Pacific! Entering the exhibit room you feel like you're swimming into an offshore reef complex! The aquariums spotlight Laguna Madre and Gulf of Mexico species and charismatic megafauna i.e. seaturtles and dolphins are suspended overhead. Staff offer classes in marine science including fish printing and shark dissection for youth. Admission is free but you have to pay an entrance fee to Isla Blanca Park and it is well worth it!

The coastal studies lab is a great little stop for families en route to the beach. You can see (and touch) some local ocean critters and get some good info about the area.

We did a fish printing class and had a great time. Excellent staph and good resource for the community.

Little known fact. This little building was once the City Hall for South Padre Island

Taco Tuesday. Plate had 3 hefty filled crispy tacos, rice, beans & salsa. Everything was Delicious! Highly recommend.

Parking could be better

Attended the Dargel fishing tournament dinner

Love the Zumba classes. And all are free (you can make a donation). It's a good workout and my heart rate is at my goal. Thank you ladies.

It's a great place to gather for a variety of different reasons.

Love the sushi bar and the cook fresh station