Top South Padre Island Outdoor Activities

Enjoy a one and a half hour South Padre Island Dolphin Watch aboard the newly renovated Murphy's Law and see Atlantic Bottle-nose Dolphins in their natural habitat. During the tour, listen to the interesting and informative narration on the diverse marine life that lives within the waters surrounding South Padre Island. Keep an eye out for a 'pod', which may consist of 10 to 30 dolphins. The guided tour will also include the southernmost U.S. Coast Guard Station, Boca Chica Beach, the current location of Space X, and the South Padre Island Jetties...entryway to the Brownsville Ship Channel where one of the largest Shrimp Fleet calls home. Then end it with a unique view of a beautiful south Texas sunset right there on the water!

Set sail at one of the best times of day—sunset—on a South Padre Island cruise aboard a comfortable 26-foot (8-meter) leisure catamaran. Enjoy beautiful views of the skyline as you make your way along the Texas Gulf Coast, and keep an eye out for bottle nose dolphins, seabirds, and other wildlife. With space for up to six passengers, this private yacht charter is ideal for couples or those celebrating a special occasion.

Watch for the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that thrive along the coast of South Padre Island on a 1.5-hour wildlife boat tour from Sea Ranch Marina. Cruise past the U.S. Coast Guard Station and Boca Chica Beach, with a comfortable seat on a wildlife-watching boat that’s equipped with a wildlife-safe viewing net so you can see South Padre sea life up close.

Sand sculpting on South Padre Island is an art form. Learn tips and tricks for building sandcastles like a pro during a hands-on sandcastle lesson—a great choice for families with kids. This activity takes place on the beach most convenient to your location. Plus, choose from a 1- or 2-hour lesson and multiple times to best suit your schedule. Sand sculpting tools are provided and can be used throughout your stay.

A parasailing trip over South Padre Island is a popular choice for adventurous travelers. Once in the air, take in sweeping views of the island and surrounding natural landscape rarely seen by visitors or locals alike. Your guide ensures a smooth takeoff and landing, as well as tips on what wildlife you may be able to spot, from bottlenose dolphins to osprey hawks.

San Padre Island’s small size allows golf carts to drive on the streets. Avoid the hassle of flagging down taxis with this 8-hour golf cart rental that fits up to four passengers. Ride comfortably and even get to play your own music over the Bluetooth that connects right to your iPhone or iPad. Plus, you can choose from multiple pickup times for added convenience.

Boat rides can be packed with people trying to see the sights from the water. Choose this alternative South Padre Island Jet Ski Experience and see the same views without being pushed around by the crowd. This Jet Ski experience allows you to ride by yourself or with just one other as you explore the waters of Laguna Madre.

The fishing on the bay is great fishing, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Whiting, and many others, including Red Fish. Bay fishing trips primarily target tasty sand trout and whiting but customers will also have opportunities to catch red drum and black drum. Customers can also bring their own gear if they desire, but Captain Murphy’s will not be responsible for it. All persons fishing, ages 17 and older are required to have a valid Texas Saltwater Fishing License. You can easily purchase a fishing license online by going to Texas Parks and Wildlife website and Fishing License

Get around South Padre Island like a local: on a golf cart. This 8-hour rental comes with your choice of 4-seater or 6-seater vehicle to suit your group. Cruise the streets of South Padre by gas-powered golf cart, with LED lights and a bluetooth-connected sound system. From beach to bay, the possibilities are endless.

Going to South Padre Island and not going in the water is like visiting New York City without visiting a museum. This South Padre Island Banana Boat Experience lets you take up to six people on an unpowered, inflatable recreational banana boat. Enjoy cruising the waters on the boat, taking in sights and having fun. Life jackets are provided for a safe day on the water.

Benefit from personalized attention on this private fishing charter on the Laguna Madre from South Padre Island. With your private group of up to six passengers, you'll head out aboard a catamaran to the best secret fishing spots to catch local fish such as sheepshead, drum, whiting, and sand trout. Depending on your level of experience, you'll get instruction from the captain or be left to your own devices.

Share the Gulf of Mexico waters with bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, and more on a private 90-minute boat tour from South Padre Island. The 26-foot catamaran has space for up to six passengers, which makes it an ideal experience for families or friend groups. Between wildlife encounters, learn the storied past of the area. Discover the history of the native Karankawa tribe, local shipwrecks, and more.

Ultimate South Padre Island Private Bay Fishing! South Padre Island Bay Fishing! Join your professional guide on the beautiful Laguna Madre for a private fishing charter for 1 to 4 passengers aboard a 22-ft Majek M2, equipped with 2 live wells, cooler, ice, bottled water, and dry storage for personal items. We specialize in catching Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and Flounder.

Immerse yourself in the culture and city of Texas’ South Padre Island during this South Padre Island Scavenger Hunt. A remote host will help you begin your scavenger hunt and let you in on the rules of play before you start. Once you’re up to speed, you’ll enjoy doing creative challenges, detective hunts, social experiments and dares, and learning about the city’s culture. A fun way to get acquainted with South Padre Island.

SPI Activities golf cart rentals are the best way to soak up some sun and cruise South Padre Island like a local. You can take a ride though Isla Blanca Park, catch a stunning sunset on the bay, or even stop in and visit our world famous sea turtles. From beach to bay the possibilities are endless when you ride with us. 

We are dedicated to providing you with the best experience possible. We are committed to offering a high-quality product with your safety and satisfaction at heart. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to any of our exceptional staff, and we will do everything in our power to make sure your experience is exceptional!

We first travel 2 miles alongside the historical Queen Isabel Causway until we reach the inside canals in Port Isabel known as little Venice Italy. Your professional guide will give you insight into the surrounding areas while you continue your tour under bridges and through the waterways. After passing the huge fishing and shrimping boats we continue into the Brownsville shipping channel home to many of our local wild dolphins. Afterward is South Bay where you can see the Space X Star Ship Rocket Launch facility and then pass the Gulf of Mexico. Before returning you will be given free time in an open area to ride the Jet Skis. IMPORTANT -TEXAS STATE LAWA Must be born before September 1st, 1993, and provide a Valid ID with picture and date of birth on it Do up have a Texas Boater Safety Certificate? If so, you may then rent the jet ski at the age of 18. You must provide the Boaters Safety Certificate Number and Valid ID.

Using an app on your smartphone, you'll be given nearly 120 objects to find during your scavenger hunt. You'll then wander throughout the downtown area searching for the items. Once you've found the object, you'll send a photo in to score points. Along the way, you will perform challenges for even more points. You'll have 13 categories of objects you can find in this city walk, with each object varying in points depending on the difficulty. Don't worry, you won't be alone. You'll have a remote guide that will be texting you during your game if you need help or have a question. They will also encourage you and give you hints along the way! The objective of the game is to have fun, rank #1 on the leaderboard, and try to get as many points as possible by finding all of the objects!