South Padre Island Opinions (Port Isabel, Naples: condo, beaches, food)

[TexasGirl@Heart]

Originally Posted by jimmyjack

You really ought to try and get out more. For all of your bad mouthin Californians, you seem to forget people like Buck, Wynn and Merle.

Austin music has stronger ties to California than Nashville, you might want to give that a thought before you go shootin your mouth off. There's good people from all over and standing on the same piece of ground your whole life is really not any real source of Texas Pride.

Some of the best times I'll never remember was had out Bakersfield way.

Well said. There are many CA musical ties to Austin. You shouldn't punish the whole state just because of a few bad apples! There are jerks everywhere.

[DiverTodd62]

Originally Posted by bvn99

I have a 5 years old boy. Is there anything he can do there? any scuba diving, snokling, is water warm in November?

I can tell you that the water temp offshore last late November was 76 degrees. Beach water temps may be a few degrees cooler that time of year (they run warmer in summer) but should be well over 70. Kids are usually fine with that as they have not yet learned to be warm water woosies.

5 yrs old is way too young to dive but he could snorkel. Whether the water is clear enough by the shore to see anything is hit or miss. Usually it's not very clear but there are times blue water comes all the way in. Some divers dive around the jetties but way too many hazards there for a 5 yr old to snorkel. Call American Diving, if anyone would be able to tell you where to snorkel there, they would.

The smaller surf on Texas beaches is great for kids so they aren't getting knocked off their feet in knee deep water. I've found condos to be better and cheaper than hotels. Pay the extra to get one directly on the beach, it's well worth the convenience.

There are dolphin cruises and glass bottom boat rides he would probably love. And Schlitterbahn is great. It's much smaller than the one in New Braunfels and much less crowded.

Peak season has been extended because the Texas legislature put an end to the nonsense of schools starting earlier and earlier. Now they can start no sooner than the last week of August. Peak season in Destin ends after the first week of August because Georgia (they are the backyard playground for Atlanta) has school starting the first week of August.

[texanatheart]

I live in Port Isabel which is on the mainland from the beach. Use to vacation in Ft. Myers Beach growing up. Have seen many beaches and although this is not my favorite beach ~ I do enjoy it. It's kind of nice that it is still so casual and not all built up. What I love about Port Isabel is that you are 5 minutes from the beach but if you don't want to mess with the crowds you don't know that it's even there. We are growing ~ we now have a Chili's, Burger King and getting a Walgreen's. Stay away during spring break and Mexican holidays as it's a zoo.

I have attached a picture of the beach in October of last year when we have Sand Castle Days.

I'm originally from Indiana but have lived in Texas since 90 and consider it to be my home. But as far as South Texas goes ~ it's not the end of the world but we can see it from here ~ enough said.

[Irishtom29]

South Padre has very nice beaches but the place itself is kind of a dump. Lousy restauarants too. I prefer the Outer Banks.

[kingrokon]

One of the nice things about South Padre is that you can drive your own vehicle quite a few miles north of the town, along the beach. Four-Wheel drive is probably advisable, although I've seen a lot of regular cars too. In off-season, mid-week, a few miles north of town, we've seen no other cars in sight in either direction.

I think that Pismo beach in California may still be open to vehicle traffic in some places, but from what I've heard it can be very crowded on weekends, with crazy drivers. And they're always trying to close more of it down.

California is better for spectacular scenery, but viewed from a distance. But for a relaxing get-away on an uncrowded beach, at least during off-season, South Padre is much better.

[newrrmom]

We found a GREAT retaraunt in S. Padre- Naturally's it is deliscious and for fine dining yet still super casual we went to Sea Ranch and were very happy with it also.
We stayed at the radisson, it is OK, but the location is fantastic and you have everything you need right in hotel if you want to just hang out and enjoy the beach. Very family friendly also.

We overall loved S. Padre, we went in Sept. so it was nice and mellow too.
We are going to N. Padre this year.

[doss1]

If anyone wants to see real pictures of South Padre Island, you can see my photos that were posted here:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/texas...tml#post649342

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by kingrokon

One of the nice things about South Padre is that you can drive your own vehicle quite a few miles north of the town, along the beach. Four-Wheel drive is probably advisable, although I've seen a lot of regular cars too. In off-season, mid-week, a few miles north of town, we've seen no other cars in sight in either direction.

I think that Pismo beach in California may still be open to vehicle traffic in some places, but from what I've heard it can be very crowded on weekends, with crazy drivers. And they're always trying to close more of it down.

California is better for spectacular scenery, but viewed from a distance. But for a relaxing get-away on an uncrowded beach, at least during off-season, South Padre is much better.

You think driving on the beach is a good idea??? I hate it. It's really the only thing that I don't like about Texas beaches (ok, maybe the jellyfish and seaweed, too....). It's scary to have little kids on the beach with the yahoos and their trucks driving through, and I hate the ogling. Not restful at all.

[pheistand]

5/17/2010 -- I just got back from South Padre Island. I was disappointed with the water. It was brown and FULL of seaweed -- on the beaches as well. Also, there were weird looking jellyfish all over the place. We couldn't even go in the water. Thank goodness for the pool. We've been on the gulf a few times, but this was the worst. The best is Destin, FL.

Try Jake's -- the mexican plate is great. Don't do Louie's buffet. Amberjack's is a little overpriced for the quality. Definitely ride the horses on the beach and take an eco-tour dolphin watch. They were great.

[txstate]

SPI is cool, the only thing I had is with the flies, every where tagging your skin especially if your darker. Overall a great getaway people are nice, the drinks are cold and the smoke is green and the sunset over laguna madre WOW!!. Cant Wait to come back in July.