Would definitely go again next time I visit the island. Unofficially, South Padre is known as the "Sandcastle Capital of the World" because of the sand quality. Check out the list of best places for snorkeling in Texas: 1. Activities like dolphin watching, surfing, swimming, deep-sea fishing, and kiteboarding are commonplace, drawing many tourists, including families. Is snorkeling South Padre Island any good? South Padre Island Snorkeling - The Daytripper 88,142 views Jul 19, 2012 436 Dislike Share Save The Daytripper 23.5K subscribers Chet hits the Bay Laguna Madre on South Padre Island and sees. South Padre Island represents the beauty and the excitement of the Texas Gulf Coast all in one, diversity that is commonly seen in the Lone Star State. Summer in Texas is undoubtedly the best time of year to enjoy its many exciting activities, and March through May, in particular, is the finest season to explore the many waters on a snorkeling adventure. Located on the northern end of Padre Boulevard just south of the South Padre Island Convention Center, Sea Turtle, Inc. is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; it stays open until 5. Yes, there are coral reefs in South Padre Island. The protected lagoon, Laguna Madre, is the absolute perfect snorkeling spot. We saw a lot of dolphin, the sunset was incredible and being on the water is definitely the best place to view the fireworks. There is less of a safety risk and it is much easier to learn. SPI Classic. San Marcos River, located halfway between San Antonio and Austin, offers a variety of outdoor activities. Captain and crew were amazing and it was a good time. In addition, you can even explore the Texas Clipper. It is actually labelled as the cleanest water in the country, which is a pretty good welcome message to avid snorkelers! Several cruise operators will be able to take you there for a snorkeling trip at several spots of the lagoon. Keep these tips in mind and your snorkeling journey will be nothing but laughs, gasps of astonishment, and making memories. It has 34 miles of pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear water on the island. South Padre Island Snorkeling offers you a chance to try out a fun sport for the whole family. We've put together a brief guide below to getting the most out of your snorkeling experience on our lovely island. Early Bird Special! Boardwalks and bird blinds at SPI Birding and Nature Center. It is much easier to learn than other methods, and there is less risk involved in the process. To book your South Padre Island Bay Fishing Charter with Captain Mike Knox, call 1-956-243-0039. 17 Free Things To Do In Long Beach Recommended By Locals! Snorkeling in South Padre Island: An Underwater Adventure South Padre Island, located on the Gulf Coast of Texas, is a popular destination for beachgoers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The last thing that anyone desires is to be caught in an unpleasant snorkeling situation. 10. Wandering our World is reader supported. 12 South Padre Island, Texas. Scuba lessons begin as low as $600. We went to 2 different dolphin spots and saw many swimming in both places. This reef system is a sixty-square-mile system with a total area of about 60 square miles. SPI, as South Padre Island is often abbreviated, can be a very different place depending on the time of the year you decide to visit. Cap did all he could to get us on the fish but it was just too windy and choppy. The ship is 144-meter-/473-foot-long and its upper parts are located at a depth of about 18 meters (60 feet). Founded by a former globetrotting freelance journalist (BBC, USA Today & others), now our small team is here to help you plan your next adventure! Learn the fundamental knowledge and skills to safely dive in open water in their Open Water Scuba Certification class, where you will begin in the comfort of a controlled water environment before moving to open water training dives. Underwater visibility can be anywhere between 3 to 30 meters (10 and 100 feet), depending on the location and water currents. It is home to over 1,000 different species of coral and consists of approximately 150 individual reefs. Breakaway Cruises has a guide for snorkelers to make sure they feel safe and have fun. Awahua Beach in Hawaii . South Padre Island is well-known for its white sandy beaches, calm weather, and clear Gulf water, in addition to its beautiful white sandy beaches. Snorkelers will also have the opportunity to see some marine life like sunfish, crabs, blue catfish, and several types of bass. The Getaway is definitely the best boat for these type of trips. And due to it being relatively calm water too, we recommend the island for all levels of snorkelers. South Padre Island, with its 34 miles of white sand and clear emerald waters, is the only tropical island in Texas, and it is one of the worlds most beautiful barrier islands. Snorkel TX will provide all of their clients with a mask, fins, and snorkel, and even include transportation to and from several river locations. The shore diving is especially spectacular because it takes place in crystal-clear water and sandy beaches. Contact Us Tools FAQ Site Index Espaol Stay Connected Facebook Twitter Instagram Available March - September. One important thing to keep in mind while exploring the seafloor of Laguna Madre is that this environment is ideal for juvenile fish. The Gulf of Mexico Marine Sanctuary is critical to the survival of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. JJ was great too! Finally, be sure to take care of your body by putting on sunscreen. Lower Laguna Madre Fishing Report By Blast to Cast Captain Mike Knox. Although the water visibility is usually not great, you may encounter stingrays, eels, wrasse, triggerfish, trumpetfish and some sharks. The island offers a variety of water activities such as swimming, fishing, kiteboarding, dolphin watching, horseback riding adventures on the beach, ecological tours, and access to personal water craft rentals. $ 18 Each Passenger. Flats, Inshore, Jetty in Port Isabel | 5 Hours | 6 People | From $500. The sanctuary was established in 1992 as a means of protecting the environment and wildlife that live there. Since there are no reefs, there are no specific places where to go: just trust the guide and enjoy the day! For more information on snorkeling and other thrilling recreation you can partake in during your time on South Padre Island, contact our reservation specialists by phone or email and ask about reserving your lodgings in one of our exquisite vacation rental properties today! First and foremost, ensure that your snorkeling mask fits your face properly before going straight underwater. He took us to the perfect spot for fishing. You can explore exhibits on the island's past and its connection to the Spanish and Mexican eras. It is possible to scuba dive deep into the ocean and explore shipwrecked vessels at South Padre Island. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Tours Daily! A National Park Service visitor center is located on the reef. The bay fishing has been getting better. Captain Joe Lee and first mate JJ were both absolutely amazing. Snorkeling trips are the less daring version compared to scuba diving. Scuba Diving is especially popular in Devils Elbow. If you buy something through a link on our site we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to yourself. This barrier island is a major spring break destination for college students and a popular summer family vacation spot. As an Amazon Associate and Booking.com partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. You will start off by sailing no more than 15 min to our fun spot, once we arrive there will be a quick demonstration on how the snorkel gear works and make sure it fits you properly to ensure you have the best time possible. The area sees quite a few pelagic species such as hammerheads, silky sharks, and amberjacks. It includes the Veracruz and Yucatan Reefs as well as the Flower Garden Banks Reef. While snorkeling in the Laguna Madre, you will get the chance to encounter and observe different species of stingrays, redfish, snappers, eels, crabs, trout, jellyfish, herrings, catfish, and even turtles, dolphins and some occasional shallow water sharks! There are approximately 40 miles of it, as well as 12 miles of it being wide. Cookies help us deliver our services. Before you go ahead and dive into your next snorkeling adventure, there are a few essential things to remember and make a note of. The bathrooms were clean. Breakaway is a first class operation. From Houston, follow Rte. We offer real-time availability and instant confirmation when you book with us, and guarantee that all of our vessels are U.S. Coast Guard certified. South Padre Island, Texas, is home to the LOPSITU, or the largest outdoor, permanent sandcastle in the world. At less than 13 meters (45 feet) deep, this spot is open to divers of all levels. They are an asset to your business!!! It was very exciting. Snorkeling with American Diving offers you the most professional and only licensed guides on the island. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park in Florida. In May 1997, the Port Isabel Historical Museum was opened. Prepare yourself to get up close and personal with a variety of marine life, rare reef formations, and other fantastic features. American Diving is a world-renowned dive center for scuba and snorkeling trips to the Gulf of Mexico. The water on this beach is clearer, warmer, and calmer than that of other beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. 22. It should come as no surprise that this island is a favorite with tourists, partygoers, beach lovers, snorkelers, and fans of water sports due to its stunning sandy beaches and crystal-clear seas. Ricky with the jet ski tour was amazing!My little family of four rented out 2 two seaters and had such a blast with our children. Laguna Madre is one of the worlds largest hypersaline coastal lagoons, which gives snorkelers the exciting opportunity to see many fish that are generally only found in reefs but have made their homes here on the beach jetties. No need to stress! It was the best time in Padre. The city of Clarksville won the Texas Water Quality Councils award for best drinking water. If you have never snorkeled before, make sure you get familiar with the equipment. A snorkel tour or activity can take up to 35 people. All rights reserved 2018-2023. Participating in water activities at Isla Blanca Park is one of the fun things to do on South Padre Island, TX. Definitely recommend this trip and this crew. 1. The companys snorkeling excursions embark to Laguna Madre Estuary, where the shallow water is three to six feet in depth, making it an ideal place for visitors of all ages and abilities to experience the wonderful South Padre Island snorkeling. 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