Padre Island used to be a continuous 113-mile (182 km) stretch of barrier island. In 1962, with the completion of the Mansfield Channel, a North and a South Padre Island were formed.
South Padre Island is approximately 34 miles (55 km) long, bounded by Brazos Santiago Pass to the south and the Mansfield Channel to the north. On the other side of the Mansfield Channel is North Padre Island and the beginning of Padre Island National Seashore. Padre Island National Seashore runs for about 66 miles (106 km), and the remaining 13-or-less miles (21 km) of Padre Island takes you towards Corpus Christi.
South Padre Island has a city of the same name located at its southernmost tip. The city of South Padre Island is hugely popular with the spring break crowd. I didn't know quite what to expect when I visited, but I was expecting it to be bigger. The town proper is only about 5 miles (8 km) long and about 1/2 mile (.8 km) at the widest point.
The layout is nice and simple. Padre Boulevard (Park Road 100) is the main drag through the center of town. Turn towards the Gulf of Mexico and you hit Gulf Boulevard. Turn towards Laguna Madre and you hit Laguna Boulevard. Both Laguna Boulevard and Gulf Boulevard have numerous access points to their respective bodies of water.
On the south side of the city is the popular Isla Blanca Park and the relatively new Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, which opened in 2001. On the north side of town is Andy Bowie Park, the convention centre with its Whaling Wall, and a scenic boardwalk. While traveling the length of the town, you'll pass restaurants, clubs, beach supply stores, hotels, and various other accommodations.
We visited during the off-season (mid-May), so traffic was minimal and getting around was easy. What it's like when the crowds arrive, I can only imagine.
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