One-Day Adventure Itinerary for South Padre Island

Location: 33256 State Park Road 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 90 minutes
Departure: 3:00 PM until 4:30 PM daily
Cost: $15

The Dolphin Watch Tour is an hour-and-a-half cruise on Isla Tours' 67-foot boat. The trip follows the lower Laguna Madre and includes some of South Padre Island's most scenic shoreline. You'll have an excellent chance of seeing entertaining Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. In addition, you'll be able to see a beautiful sunset on the south Texas coastline. Note that you need to schedule your trip a day ahead of time, and you should arrive about 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time for the excursion. For more information, you can give Isla Tours a call at 956-761-4752 or visit their website.

Location: 204 W. Palm St. South Padre Island, TX 78597
Distance:1.8 miles
Time: 45 minutes
Departure: 9:30 AM until 6:30 PM daily
Cost: $75

Enjoy parasailing with SPI Excursions. You'll be towed on 600 feet of line behind their 31-foot Ocean Pro Coast Guard certified boat. While the total time for the trip is 45 minutes, you'll have about 10 minutes of actual flight time. During the flight, you'll have magnificent views of Laguna Madre Bay and the South Padre Island coast. For more information, give SPI Excursions a call at 888-709-8283, or visit their website.

Location: 204 W. Palm St. South Padre Island, TX 78597
Distance:1.8 miles
Time: 20 minutes
Departure: 10:00 AM until sunset daily
Cost: $25

A banana boat is an inflatable banana-shaped raft that can seat up to six people. It's pulled by a powerful jet ski, making for a very entertaining ride. Be prepared to get wet! Falling into the water and getting bombarded by sea spray is part of the fun. A banana boat ride is very safe, and great for the whole family. Life jackets are provided. Please, note that you should avoid this activity if you have a respiratory or heart condition, back or neck injury, or if you are pregnant. For more information, give SPI Excursions a call at 888-709-8283, or visit their website.

Location: 5709 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Distance: 0.6 miles
Time: 60 minutes
Departure: Contact to schedule
Cost: $175

Kitesurfing refers to using a kite and a surfboard to ride the surf. An introductory kitesurfing lesson consists of instruction and practice of basic kitesurfing techniques. After practicing the techniques, and taking a few practice rides, you'll have the opportunity do what is referred to as as "downwinder" in the Gulf ofr Mexico. For more information, contact Air Padre at 956-299-9463. You'll also definitely want to visit their website for specific information regarding what's involved in their kitesurfing lessons.

Location: 1 Bait Shop Road, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Distance:3.9 miles
Time: 60 minutes
Departure: Contact to schedule
Cost: $100/private lesson

Enjoy a one-hour surf lesson on the south end of South Padre Island, at Isla Blanca Park. South Padre Surf Company guarantees you'll be surfing by the end of the lesson. You'll get instruction on paddling techniques, how to choose a wave, rip current safety, and basic surfing techniques. After the lesson, you can rent the board, and continue surfing to your heart's content. For more information, call 956-772-7272, or visit their website.