South Padre Island vs. North Padre Island (Rockport, Port Aransas: spring break, condos)

[Caleb0]

My family is going on vacation to Padre Island. The main criteria :
-less crowded more upscale part of the island(s)
-the most beautiful part of the island(s)

Those two are probably not the same but any opinions on either of the criteria. It is kind of complex due to the fact the island is so much distance. We are only going to be there 2-3 nights.

I am knowlegable about geography, but this is a place I know little about and have not looked into much in the past. Like someone posted on a Padre Island thread recently, my family has been in Texas 15 years and we have never been. Any help would be appreciated.

[CptnRn]

See this thread //www.city-data.com/forum/corpu...veston-vs.html

Port Aransas is less crowded, unless you go on a major holiday weekend. The beach and water is nicer at South Padre, but no so much nicer that it is worth the extra long drive for me.

[Caleb0]

Thanks, that's exactly the kind of answer I was looking for. Going to Port Aransas will be a 7 hour drive vs. a 10 hour drive. Big difference in my opinion.

[TT Dave]

I've been on vacations to Port Aransas and South Padre Island many times over the years. Both are great places to visit. I prefer South Padre because the beaches are better, however, as noted above, it's a longer drive down there. To me, Padre just has a different vibe to it. It's basically more like a resort town you would find in Florida. There are high rise condos and huge hotels in Padre, lots of great restaurants and entertainment options, beach parties everywhere, etc. Port Aransas is basically a fishing town that's also a resort. You tend to find more of a mixture of tourists there. Some go there to fish, some to swim at the beaches. It's less crowded in Port Aransas and generally speaking, it's less expensive to stay there. Good luck with your decision!

[Spree]

I think there is a lot more for a family to do at South Padre vs North Padre. But if you are just wanting a beach to lie on and to play in the water, you can do that at North Padre. South Padre has Shlitterbahn and other activities (eco tours, fishing, a ridly turtle preserve and nature trails, horseback riding on the beach etc)

[redfish1]

south padre for sure!...............but if you do decide on north padre go to Port A. Stay away from corpus christi as sadly that beach is packed with thugs and trash from corpus........lot's of pit bulls, loud hip hop and fat women..............hahaha

[Pontificator]

Restaurants are a huge disappointment in the Port Aransas region.

[social bunny]

Originally Posted by redfish1

south padre for sure!...............but if you do decide on north padre go to Port A. Stay away from corpus christi as sadly that beach is packed with thugs and trash from corpus........lot's of pit bulls, loud hip hop and fat women..............hahaha

sadly you're correct about of that.
however corpus does have some nice bars/downtown nightclubs, and theres always the lexington and the texas state aquarium to visit if theres extra time. i warn you, theres also a ton jellyfish over at the beach next to the lex. if you do go near there, drive over to flour bluff, its much nicer (as long as its a week day and not spring break).

[ocean2026]

The EPA gave Rockport the award for the cleanest beach in Texas. Its shallow for a long way out and Rockport is a friendly upscale community. No traffic

[xLilxLilly]

Originally Posted by redfish1

south padre for sure!...............but if you do decide on north padre go to Port A. Stay away from corpus christi as sadly that beach is packed with thugs and trash from corpus........lot's of pit bulls, loud hip hop and fat women..............hahaha

Sorry but corpus isnt like that, And also theres nothing wrong with hiphop pitbulls(very good dogs) or big women??
Dont be rude and say things like that if your going to be negative, just say i wouldnt recommend corpus because it isnt the same its got alot of bad qualitys

Oh and fyi pitbulls arent bad,Maybe learn about them not about the bad rep. people give them ok? thanks