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Fishing
Available from beach, piers and jetties where catches may include redfish, speckled and sand trout, sheepshead, flounder, croakers, skipjack, and drum. Group boats provide bay and deep-sea fishing for full or half days; charter cruisers available for individual or small-party offshore sport. Offshore species may include tarpon, snailfish, marlin, kingfish, mackerel, ling, pompano, bonito , red snapper, warsaw, and wahoo. Marinas provide fuel, bait, tackle, launching ramps, and boat rentals. Small boats with guides available for bay fishing. Map Island Equestrian Center
Horses on the Beach Scenic horseback rides along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and
the Laguna Madre on South Padre Island. Open year-round with horses suited for riders of all experience levels, ages 6 and up. Groups are welcome. Check out their site for coupon savings. Telephone #: 956/761-4677; Web Page: www.horsesonthebeach.com | Map Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge of 45,187 acres is
located on the lower Gulf Coast about 25 miles east of Harlingen, Texas. It is the southernmost waterfowl refuge in the United States. It also provides habitat for 10 federally endangered or threatened species and has the most bird species documented (411 species) of any national wildlife refuge. Address: Rio Hondo, Texas; Telephone #: 956/748-3607 Web Page: www.fws.gov/southwest/REFUGES/texas/laguna.html | Map Lone Star Sculpture
South Padre Island, the sandcastle capital of the world - provides you and your family with an opportunity to play at the only permanent professional sand sculpture arena in Texas. They offer sand sculpture classes and sandcastle building lessons at the South Padre KOA every Saturday night Memorial day through Labor Day. Telephone #: 956/433-9948 Web Page: http://www.lonestarsculpture.com/ Museums of Port Isabel The Museum of Port Isabel is a complex consisting of three
diverse facilities, the Port Isabel Historic Museum, the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, and the Point Isabel Lighthouse. All three are within walking distance of each other and are open year around to the public. Treasures of the Gulf Museum puts the spotlight on three Spanish shipwrecks. Meeting their fate in 1554, just 30 miles north of Port Isabel, and brought to life murals, artifacts and hands-on activities. Also featured is a Children's Discovery Lab, Ship Theatre and Nautical Gift Shop. Port Isabel Historical Museum is a state-of-the-art facility is located in the Champion Building. Built in 1899 as a dry goods store and residence, it now houses two exhibit levels, a theater, a gift shop and one of the largest collections of Mexican artifacts from the U.S. - Mexican War. The facade 'features the famous fish mural' painted in 1906 by a local fisherman. The Point Isabel Lighthouse, Constructed in 1852, was built to protect and guide ships through Brazos Santiago and the barrier islands. In 1952, the Lighthouse was opened as a State Park and remains the only lighthouse on the Texas coast open to the public. The Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage which is on the grounds of the lighthouse, houses the Chamber of Commerce. The Keepers Cottage is open to the public. FREE history of the lighthouse display & local information. Located at 317 E. Railroad Ave. in Port Isabel. Telephone #: 956/943.7602 Padre Island
The long, narrow sand island sweeps in a golden arc north some
110 miles to Corpus Christi. Modern hotels and motels edge several miles of the Gulf at the island's southern tip. Farther north, the island is entirely natural sand dunes, sea oats, and beach morning glory. (There is no bridge or ferry between South and North Padre.) Beautiful, gently sloping beaches are perfect for swimming and surf fishing. Beachcombers will find bright shells, perhaps floats from the West Indies, driftwood, and occasionally flint points of Karankawa Indians who roamed area. Map Parks Isla Blanca Park, on the southernmost tip of the island, features
more than a mile of clean, white beach along the Gulf of Mexico, for waterfront recreational facilities. The park includes picnic and playground areas, two beachfront pavilions, fishing jetty, restaurants and clubs, a full-service marina with daily charters, a water park, a 1,000-foot sea walk, and boat ramp. Park hours: 6:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Andy Bowie Park, just north of the city limits, features beachfront
picnic pavilions, children's playground, and a ranger station. Park hours: 7:30 a.m. - half an hour before sunset. Map Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
Texas' most innovative waterpark is nestled between the dunes
and wetlands on South Padre Island. Splash into more than a dozen water attractions, including slides, tube chutes, uphill water coasters. Free parking, free use of inner tubes, and guests are welcome to bring in their own picnic basket and cooler into the park. Open weekends beginning April 22; open daily May 19 - Aug. 20; open weekends Aug. 26 - Sept. 17. Call or visit the website for full schedule and admission fees. Address: 90 Park Road Hwy. 100; Telephone #: 956/772-7873 Sea Turtle, Inc. Living museum of the "Turtle Lady," Ila Loetscher. Educational shows
featuring endangered sea turtles given year-round 10 a.m. and visitors are given the opportunity to feed the turtles. NEW* Adopt a sea turtle nest program, check theor site for details. Note: call before attending a show to confirm that they are open. Donations are welcome. Address: 6617 Padre Blvd.; Telephone #: 956/761-1720 Web Page: www.seaturtleinc.com |
South Padre Island Dolphin Research and Sealife Center
Discover the spectacular diversity of nature that South Padre Island
has to offer. Learn about dolphins in the wild and sea life. Experience hands on marine life with various touch tanks and aquariums. Hold starfish, urchins, live snails, and other creatures. Help feed the octopus, moray eels, hermit crabs, sea horses and many more! Daily presentations. Address: Lighthouse Square in Port Isabel at 110 North Garcia by Pirate's Landing
Golf Course Details - South Padre Island Golf Club is considered
the finest golf course in the Rio Grande Valley. Address: 1 Golf House Rd in Laguna Vista.
Telephone #: 956/943-5678 University of Texas - Pan American Coastal Studies Laboratory
Marine life and representative examples of the region, both from the
Gulf and Laguna Madre; fish, mollusks, plants; extensive seashell collection. In Isla Blanca Park at south tip of Padre Island. Open Sun. - Fri. 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Closed Sat. and major holidays *** Additional activities and fun for the whole family here on Padre Island include: * Amphibous Cruises * BBQ Cruises * Biking * Boating * Dolphin Watching * Dune Buggy Riding * Eco Tours * Fireworks Cruises * Fishing Charters * Jet Skiing * Kayaking * Kite boarding * Parasailing * Private Cruises * Scuba diving * Snorkeling * SPI Nightlife * Sunset Cruises * Surfing * Wave riding * Windsurfing.... the list goes on and on. |
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