While the beach may be the biggest draw to South Padre Island, boating and fishing is the center of the island experience. Just a few miles away from shore and it feels like another world. Whatever stress or strife one may have in life is quickly forgotten. That is what boating is all about, getting away, feeling relaxed. And this is what draws people from Texas and everywhere else to South Padre Island. Many boating enthusiast have come to Padre Island and started businesses catering to this natural enjoyment of being on the water. Here is a quick list of the boating activities offered on South Padre Island

BOATING ACTIVITIES ON SOUTH PADRE ISLAND

Fishing Charters:

There are many fishing charters and guides operating on South Padre Island. For more detailed information I suggest you click on the South Padre Island Fishing Guides spotlight box above right.

Dolphin Watching:

Perhaps the most popular boating activity here is watching wild dolphins. Most of the charter boat business with big boats offers this cruise. Dolphins are very prevalent around the jetties and along the channels in the bay.

Eco-Tours:

These types of cruises are great for youngsters, they will usually drag a trawl net behind the boat for a while and then examine, explain and show what ever they catch. It gives you a close-up hand on experience to the local marine life.

Fireworks Cruises:

Every Friday night during the summer the town of South Padre Island host a fireworks show. The fireworks are launched from a barge in the bay located a few hundred yards off shore from Louie's Backyard. Boats will line up along the channel with their bows run aground onto the sandbar. This is defiantly the best way to view and enjoy the fireworks.

Sunset Cruises:

One of the most beautiful and scenic views in Texas is the sun setting over the Laguna Madre. The whole western sky is turned red and the clouds are blue purple with every shade of yellow and red as the sun appears to sink into the water. Seeing these spectacular sunsets from aboard a boat is very special.

Dinner Cruises:

Dinner cruises and party boats are a great way to celebrate special occasions. There are a only few working boats on South Padre Island big enough to prepare and serve dinner on.

Amphibious Cruises:

Breakaway Cruises offers a unique experience of cruises in the bay and on the beach in a converted military duck.

Private Cruises:

Boats can be chartered for just about any occasion, from parties, weddings, burials, or just for a group cruise. Feel free to ask about this with any boat charter that has a boat big enough for you needs.

Dive & Snorkeling Trips:

There are several boats that are available for scheduled snorkeling trips in the bay, and the Dive Shop offers trips offshore to the wrecks.

Water Sports

Parasailing, Tubing, Water Skiing & WakeBoarding See: Water Sports Guide to South Padre Island

Courtesy Vessel Examinations
Local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 72, will conduct free courtesy vessel examinations during the boating season on the first Sunday of each month. If bad weather, then the following Sunday. Examiners will be at Adolph Thomae Park in Arroyo City and at the County Ramp in Port Isabel. Examinations are with owner's permission and a lack of required equipment is reported only to the owner.

BOATING RESOURCES

Boat Marinas Sales & Service

FISHING ON SOUTH PADRE ISLAND

Gulf & Lower Laguna Madre Fishing

....... Fishing is popular from the beach, piers, and jetties where catches may include redfish, speckled and sand trout, snook, flounder, croakers, skipjack, and drum. Bigger boats provide group bay and deep-sea fishing for full or half days; there are also charter cruises available for individual or small party cruises. Fishing offshore will get bigger species od fish that may include tarpon, sailfish, marlin, kingfish mackerel, ling, pompano, bonito, red snapper, and wahoo. Marinas provide fuel, bait, tackle, launching ramps, and boat rentals. Small boats with guides are available for day fishing.

....... The red drum "reds" are the fish most sought after in the Lower Laguna Madre. As soon as you hook a red you know it, little else is going to give you as hard of fight from start to finish. There is currently a very good population of reds in the bay and gulf right now and anglers are reeling them in daily.

Speckled sea trout on the other hand are getting a little harder to catch because of lower populations. The bag limits have been reduced from ten to four per day. Guys are still catching trout; it's just not as consistent as it's been in years past.

Places to Fish in the Laguan Madre - Top Fishing Spots Map

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ONLINE ARTICLES

Deep Sea Fishing Tips

The Best Fly Fishing Guide Ever

Benefits Of Having A Used Boat

Finding the Right Vessel At Boat Shows

The Pros of Cruising Solo

Top 5 Tips For Bass Fishing With Live Bait

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BOATING LINKS

Luxury Norfolk broads boating holidays
with richardsonsboatingholidays.co.uk