We have been visiting South padre Island every year since 1979 for the great beach and fun family activities. We started our excursions with our children and now are enjoying our great grandchildren in this wonderful place. South Padre is now like our second home with numerous visits each year.
Over the years we have had to budget our activities as the trips and family size increased. We offer the following from our playful experiences to help others plan a South Padre Island vacation on a budget.
- Dolphin Watch Cruises
- Bay Fishing
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Parasailing
- Other
Dolphin Watch and Eco-Tours
We have actually taken hundreds of these over the years with every tour operator on South Padre Island. It seems like every large boat owner eventually tries a "Dolphin Watch Trip."
Well folks, there are only so many dolphins inhabiting the waters of the Laguna Madre, and each excursion seeks the same ones in the same places; so sighting dolphins is not related to which tour operator you take. It boils down to the price of the trip.
Our choice is Breakaway Cruises. over the years they have proven to have the best prices, knowledge, boats and offerings.
| Examples | |
| Breakaway Cruises | |
| Regular Walk-up Price = $20 adult $14 child (early bird price same as online) | |
| Online Price = $14 adult $12 child | |
| Special offer = Only $5.00 with any other activity offered | |
| Osprey Sea Life Safari | |
| Regular Walk-up Price = $22 adult $18 child | |
| Online Price = None | |
| Special offer =$19.00 with coupon | |
Bay Fishing in the Laguna Madre
Our choice is to take one of the "party boats" eventhough more people are on each trip compared with a guide service. Our resoning is that we enjoy the larger boats with restrooms onboard and the prices are MUCH LESS. One can take smaller children and enjoy these trips as outings even if they do not fish.
Our Choice is The Isabella This boat used to run out of Port Isabel but recently changed ownership and now works out of Sea Ranch Marina on South Padre Island. The new owners have upgraded the boat, trips, offerings and reduced the prices!
| Examples | |
| Isabella Charters | |
| Regular Walk-up Price = $25.00 | |
| Online Price = $20.00 Buy 1 get 1 Free after online purchase call 956-761-2212 as tell them you want the free fishing trip. You will need your online receipt number |
|
| Special offer = Dolphin Watch Only $5.00 with purchase | |
| Osprey Bay King | |
| Regular Walk-up Price = $25.00 | |
| Online Price = None | |
| Special offer = None | |
| Guided Services | |
| The typical costs are hundreds of dollars and typically for the more serious fishermen. Worth it if you love to fish the shallows. | |
Deep Sea Fishing
Here one can spend anywhere from $65 to $1600+. This is something we do occasionally but totally enjoy the experience of the beautiful blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the exotic fish caught. Trips can be from 5 hours to a full day.
Our Choice Breakaway Cruises due to having a large stable catamaran which is perfect for the longer trips and sometime rougher waters.
| Examples | |
| Breakaway Cruises | |
| Regular Walk-up Price = $70.00 | |
| Online Price = $65 | |
| Special offer = Dolphin Watch Only $5.00 with purchase | |
| Osprey Fishing Trips | |
| Regular Walk-up Price = $80.00 to 100.00 | |
| Online Price = None | |
| Special offer = $75.00 to $95.00 with coupon | |
Parasailing
Our kids and now our grandchildren consider this the highlight of their South Padre Island vacation. We almost discontinued offering this in the past few years but found a solution as a combination parasail and Schlitterbahn Waterpark package. This a great way to spend an entire day and have a vatiety of activities.
Our Choice ShlitterbahnDiscounts.com
There is really no other to compare this offer with. There are several parasail places on South Padre Island but none offer this tremendous offer.
Other Activities
We will update this section as we do more things on our trips to South Padre Island.
Fireworks Display Cruises |
|
| Breakaway Cruises rated EXCELLENT | |
| Regular Walk-up Price = $28.00 | |
| Online Price = $25 adult $23 child | |
| Special Offer = Online Specials | |
| Black Dragon Pirate Cruise | |
| Regular Walk-up Price = $53.00 adult $38.00 child | |
| Online Price = $53.00 adult $38.00 child | |
| Special offer = None | |
| Note: while you do get the themed pirate cruise the ship is to large to navigate close to the fireworks area and they are viewed from a distance. | |