Padre Island near Corpus Christi, TX

The longest sand beach in the United States can be found on Padre Island, which is located along the coast of South Texas. With a length of 130 miles, the northern tip of the island is to the east of Corpus Cristi, and the southern part extends all the way down near Port Isabel. The Laguna Madre is the beautiful body of water that separates the island from the mainland.

Padre Island was named after Father Jose Nicolas Balli, who at one time owned the island and was a missionary priest who collected finances for all churches in the Rio Grande Valley. It has a rich and long history that extends back to 2700 B.C. when indigenous natives of the Archaic period lived there. The island was visited by Spanish explorers through the 1800s, and although Texas became an official state in 1847, Padre Island was still a territory of Mexico until 1848. The 1930s ushered in development and the construction of hotels, and in the 1940s, oil was discovered offshore and gas was discovered on the island.

Padre Island is the natural habitat of more than 600 species of wildflowers and plants. A significant portion of the island is still undeveloped wilderness, and the surrounding waters are home to the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. It is divided into the northern, central and southern regions. Created in 1962, the Padre Island National Seashore makes up the central region and is the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the entire world. Recreational and residential development is concentrated in the northern region, and since the 1970s, the southern region has become a major resort area.

There is no shortage of fun and exciting things to do on Padre Island. There are over 40 dining and live venue locations, and attractions that cater to a wide array of interests. The South Padre Island Visitors Center offers maps, travel guides and useful tourist information, and is a great way to begin your visit. The island is a very pet friendly environment, and many establishments allow dogs and other pets.

Those traveling with children can choose from attractions such as Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Beach Resort, Dolphin Docks, Island Adventure Park, and Gravity Park. For visitors interested in animals and nature, they can explore places like Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center, The Stables, and Sea Turtle, Inc. There is also the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. There are numerous opportunities to fish, and each August, the island hosts the Texas International Fishing Tournament. There are numerous guided tours around the island, and for the thrill seeker, windsurfing, scuba diving, and fly boarding are all exciting possibilities.

Those with cultural and historical interests are sure to gravitate toward the Port Isabel Historical Museum, the Cristo de los Pescadores memorial statue, and the Padre Jose Nicolas Balli Statue. Another must-see is the ‘Orcas of the Gulf of Mexico’ mural at the South Padre Island Convention Center. Visitors who just cannot resist a quality shopping experience will be quite pleased to find art galleries, fashion boutiques, and book and craft stores.

In recent years, South Padre Island has become the destination for several major music festivals including the SPI Beach Bash Music Fest which takes place each March, the UME Festival, and the Island Folk Festival.

When you need to rest after a day of exploration and adventure, there are all types of great accommodations. There are resorts, smaller boutique hotels, and familiar hotel names such as Hilton, La Quinta and Holiday Inn. Just remember to bring plenty of sunscreen, because when visiting a fabulous destination like Padre Island, you are bound to spend most of your time outside!

Our insurance office is located here: Balsiger Insurance: Corpus Christi, 5402 Holly Rd #2104, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 Call us at (361) 400-2973 for auto, home, life, or business insurance.