in the waves ….. and they are all over the place!
Great waves break all along the South Padre Island eastern shore. The entire 30mile coastline of South Padre Island is open for surfing of all kinds, without restriction. To avoid crowds just pick an empty spot that looks good and go for it.
Some Popular spots where you are likely to see other surfers include:
Isla Blanca Park and the South Padre Island Jetties
The most popular spot for surfers to gather on South Padre Island is at the jetty in Isla Blanca Park, at the Southern tip of South Padre Island. The jetty helps to clean up and regulate the swell, and even on big wave days there can be a whole range of wave sizes from small to large depending on how close to the jetty you are. The jetties are located inside Isla Blanca Park at the Southern tip of South Padre Island, and a required pass can be purchased at the entrance. Locals save money by buying yearly passes. Drive South on Padre BLVD until you reach the entrance gate to the park, then follow the road through the park until you come to the beach. Surfers park in the first, second, or third parking lot depending on where the waves are breaking and how close to the jetty they are trying to surf.
Boca Chica
Boca Chica Beach is not actually located on South Padre Island, but is the beach across the boat channel from the Isla Blanca Park and South Padre jetty. Boca Chica is a great place to surf when the swell is coming from the North. To get to Boca Chica beach, take RT 48 from Port Isabel to Brownsville, then turn left onto Boca Chica BLVD in Brownsville and follow it to the ocean. From there drive onto the beach and head North to the getty. Access to the beach is usually well maintained, although blowing sand can block the entrance and 4 wheel drive is recommended.
Wanna Wanna
The Wanna Wanna is a beachside bar and grill located on South Padre Island at Polaris St and Gulf BLVD. With ample parking, good food and music, as well as a nice wave, is another popular spot to head into the surf.
Tiki
Just a mile north of the Wanna Wanna is the Tiki Resort, a colllection of ocean side condos and apartments. Take Padre BLVD North to White Sands Road. Parking at Tiki beach is limited.
Mansfield
Mansfield is located 20 miles north of the Town of South Padre Island, and is accessible only by driving along the beach from South Padre. At Mansfield is another getty that creates nice waves in any North swell. Be prepared with 4 wheel drive and tow straps, its a long ride on the beach.
