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re: South Padre Island suggestions
Posted on 4/25/24 at 12:54 pm to MaxXL
Posted on 4/25/24 at 12:54 pm to MaxXL
Yes it’s quite nice. Not as pretty as Florida or Gulf Shores in terms of white sand and clear water but still a very nice beach. Definitely wanna avoid major holidays but a random weekend in June/July could be nice. There’s outstanding fishing in the bay as well. Specs, reds, flounder etc
Here’s my post from an older thread which i’ll link at the bottom. I grew up down there and spent a ton of time at SPI. It’s grown a lot from a business standpoint.
The sea turtle place is really cool. If you like catching trout and reds, hire a guide to take you out in the bay. Incredible fishing. The dolphin watch is fun too.
Tom and Jerry’s
Blackbeard’s
Marcello’s (in PI)
D’Pizza Joint
Padre Island Brewing
Dirty Al’s
Liam’s
Sea Ranch
Pirate’s Landing right before the causeway (kids can take a pic with the pirate)
You also have a Dairy Queen and Whataburger on the main drag if you need something quick for the kids
Louie’s and amberjacks for live music
You can buy fresh seafood around the docks, but not sure there’s an actual market. You can get local caught shrimp/fish at the HEB in PI
Check if there are any shows in McAllen which is about an hour away.
LINK
Here’s my post from an older thread which i’ll link at the bottom. I grew up down there and spent a ton of time at SPI. It’s grown a lot from a business standpoint.
The sea turtle place is really cool. If you like catching trout and reds, hire a guide to take you out in the bay. Incredible fishing. The dolphin watch is fun too.
Tom and Jerry’s
Blackbeard’s
Marcello’s (in PI)
D’Pizza Joint
Padre Island Brewing
Dirty Al’s
Liam’s
Sea Ranch
Pirate’s Landing right before the causeway (kids can take a pic with the pirate)
You also have a Dairy Queen and Whataburger on the main drag if you need something quick for the kids
Louie’s and amberjacks for live music
You can buy fresh seafood around the docks, but not sure there’s an actual market. You can get local caught shrimp/fish at the HEB in PI
Check if there are any shows in McAllen which is about an hour away.
LINK
3
Posted on 4/25/24 at 12:57 pm to S
PI= Port Isabel and if you want to do Mexico, Progresso is definitely the best point of entry. If you’re flying Harlingen will probably have the cheapest flights.
Posted on 4/26/24 at 7:21 am to S
Go to one of the seafood markets in Port Isabel and get them to make some Mexican shrimp cocktail for you. Tell them make it hot. A quart of that, some saltine crackers, and some ice cold Mexican beer is good living.
Sit at the Wanna Wanna bar, get some fried shrimp, and people watch.
Sit at the Wanna Wanna bar, get some fried shrimp, and people watch.
This post was edited on 4/26/24 at 7:26 am
Posted on 4/28/24 at 7:12 am to S
Brother S hit on a lot of good spots 
My in laws have a beach house in SPI so I can’t weigh-in much on hotels/resorts. There are also a ton of vacation rentals in houses or condos near or on the beach.
You gotta get breakfast tacos as well—don’t go to Denny’s. The best are at a cash only hole in the wall called Isabel’s Cafe in PI. On the island, I would go with Dona Carmen over El Chilango, but El Chilango is closer to hotels/resorts.
Also, check the schedules for fireworks on the bay near Louies. You don’t have to eat there, the city setup a nice grassy area nearby to watch the sunset and fireworks. Clayton’s down at the end of the island also does fireworks. If you grab a drink, you can go out on the pier.
If you go the condo route, definitely hit up HEB in Port Isabel on the way in because groceries on the island are expensive. Tortuga (i think that’s the name) in PI is a good fish market.
F&B is probably the fanciest and best food on the island, but there is no view and it’s a stale atmosphere. Nautico Grill is a good new spot near a lot of the action, but same with F&B on stale food/atmosphere. Yummies down by a lot of the hotels is really popular as well, but it’s more of an old person and basic white woman spot.
Cafe on the Beach is one of our favorite spots. It’s in a quaint little hotel on the beach and a cool vibe.
My in laws have a beach house in SPI so I can’t weigh-in much on hotels/resorts. There are also a ton of vacation rentals in houses or condos near or on the beach.
You gotta get breakfast tacos as well—don’t go to Denny’s. The best are at a cash only hole in the wall called Isabel’s Cafe in PI. On the island, I would go with Dona Carmen over El Chilango, but El Chilango is closer to hotels/resorts.
Also, check the schedules for fireworks on the bay near Louies. You don’t have to eat there, the city setup a nice grassy area nearby to watch the sunset and fireworks. Clayton’s down at the end of the island also does fireworks. If you grab a drink, you can go out on the pier.
If you go the condo route, definitely hit up HEB in Port Isabel on the way in because groceries on the island are expensive. Tortuga (i think that’s the name) in PI is a good fish market.
F&B is probably the fanciest and best food on the island, but there is no view and it’s a stale atmosphere. Nautico Grill is a good new spot near a lot of the action, but same with F&B on stale food/atmosphere. Yummies down by a lot of the hotels is really popular as well, but it’s more of an old person and basic white woman spot.
Cafe on the Beach is one of our favorite spots. It’s in a quaint little hotel on the beach and a cool vibe.
This post was edited on 4/28/24 at 7:13 am
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