Most of us have built sandcastles on the beach before. You know… the kind that involves a plastic shovel and a bucket that is shaped like a castle tower when flipped upside-down.

What if you would like to create something better than that… something that could be described as sand art? Well, you can do it.

Andy Hancock has been offering sandcastle lessons in South Padre for years.

Andy is an expert at creating sandcastles. He is the creator of the largest permanent sandcastle in the US. His work is simply amazing! See for yourself…

About Sandcastle Lessons In South Padre

Andy Hancock’s sandcastle lessons in South Padre are ideal for all ages, but it’s probably a good idea that the little ones are at least around 5 years old. This is also ideal for various types of people, like families on vacation, birthday parties, and so on.

There are currently three lesson packages available that are based on how much time you want to spend on it:

• The One Hour Session is deal for those who want to learn the basics of building sandcastles.
• The 2-3 Hour Sessions are ideal for those who want to learn more than the basics and get into some more creative sandcastle building. This one is also better for bigger families to ensure that everyone gets enough instruction.
• If you want to get really serious about it and go the whole way, the VIP Package is a full day course where you can learn even advanced techniques.

All of the packages include a sandcastle toolkit that comes with all the tools that you will need for your level of sandcastle building.

What Others Think

Andy has earned himself a very nice reputation with his sandcastle lessons. In TripAdvisor reviews, he has earned a 98% “Excellent” rating and received a TripAdvisor “Certificate of Excellence!”

As one reviewer put it…

“Fun fun fun! Just do it!”

You can also read here what another of our visitors said about sandcastle lessons in South Padre.

The bottomline is, this is a very different activity from what people normally do on the beach. The whole family can learn a fun skill and enjoy the beach just a little more every time you go.

If you would like to contact Andy to set up some sandcastle lessons, please visit his website.

Have you taken sandcastle lessons in South Padre before? Tell us about it in the comments…

South Padre Island is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Texas. People go there to have a good time. People get hungry. So you can bet that there will be many South Padre Island restaurants to fill the hungry tummies!

The trick is to find the good ones. We’ve tried a few South Padre Island restaurants while vacationing there and usually had a good time.

Here are a few of our favorite… 

South Padre Island Restaurants

Garden Grille & Bar

The Garden Grille & Bar is inside the Hylton Garden Inn hotel. It is one of the highest rated restaurants in South Padre!

They serve a variety of very reasonably priced food, including steaks, chicken, pasta, seafood, burgers, and more. They also have a kids’ menu that will keep any kid happy!

If you’re a beer-lover, the Garden Grille & Bar has a great variety of bottled beer and beer on tap.

If you’re already staying the Hylton Garden Inn, a visit to the Garden Grille & Bar is a no-brainer, but even if you don’t stay in the hotel, do visit the restaurant.

Louie’s Backyard

Louie’s Backyard is on the Bay side of the island. It has been around for a long time and has been source of great entertainment for a lot of people over the years.

Louie’s serves excellent steaks, chicken, pasta, and seafood. They also have a nice kids’ menu with the usual things that kids like. If you want to make it a night of seafood, Louie’s has a great seafood buffet!

Another great feature of Louie’s Backyard is the regular entertainment. They have fireworks shows in the summer, live music, and also karaoke nights.

All in all, Louie’s a great place to spend an evening!

Padre Island Brewing Company

Another beer-lovers’ dream is the Padre Island Brewing Company. The name says it all.

It is a mico-brewery that also serves a nice variety of food.

The food includes a good variety to fill any hungry tummy… all at great prices. They have chicken, steaks, pork, pizza, burgers, salads, and more.

One the beer front, they have several sizes of their own freshly brewed beer on tap.

Don’t miss the Padre Island Brewing Company… especially if you appreciate a good beer!

Sea Ranch

The Sea Ranch is just about an institution in South Padre. It has been around for that long!

They serve a variety of seafood caught fresh right there in the Gulf of Mexico. The Red Snapper is the house specialty. They also serve some excellent pastas.

Don’t miss out on the Sea Ranch. You may pay a little more for your meal, but the food is delicious and their service is excellent.

The Sea Ranch is located near the south end of the island.

Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria

Some nights we just feel like some good Italian… that’s where Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria comes in.

A good place to start, is with antipasti (starters), and here I love the Sherry mushrooms. They also have salads, several brick oven pizzas (try the Buffalo Chicken pizza), calzones, pasta, and much more.

If you’re in South Padre and you feel like some good Italian, Gabriella’s is the place to go.

These are some of the really good restaurants in South Padre, but there are of course several others as well. No matter how you look at it, you should be able to find a truly satisfying meal.

Without a doubt, South Padre Island Texas is one of our FAVORITE vacation destinations!

My family and I discovered this little tropical paradise a couple of summers ago. We have been hooked ever since!

Some of our favorite things to do in South Padre Island are the beaches, a visit to Schlitterbahn, and fishing.

Where Is South Padre Island?

If you’re wondering where South Padre Island is, follow the Texas coastline towards Mexico. It is a couple of miles off the coast just about on the border with Mexico. A bridge connects South Padre Island to Port Isabel on the mainland. 

Things To Do In South Padre Island

Beaches On South Padre Island

The beaches on South Padre Island are probably the main reason why we go.

A seemingly endless stretch of soft, white, powdery sand along the Gulf-side of the island…

We usually take some goodies for the beach, like a beach shovel, frisbee, and boogie boards along. This provides for hours of fun in the sun. I like building sand castles with the boys. Last summer their quest was to ride the boogie boards in shallow water standing upright!

The boys also nagged me last summer to go parasailing. As a Dad, I was a little nervous, but in the end it was a fantastic experience! They just loved it…

Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen! 

Schlitterbahn South Padre Island Texas

Although somewhat smaller than the Schlitterbahn waterpark in New Braunfels, Schlitterbahn South Padre Island makes for at least a whole day of water fun!

My kids usually race from one ride to the next. I prefer to simply lie on a tube and go round and round on the “river” that connects all the rides.

Schlitterbahn could seem a little pricey, but at least they let you take a cooler. So once you’re in, you don’t have to spend anymore money.

There is a restaurant (Shrimp Haus), and a sports bar (El Jefe’s Sports Bar) in Schlitterbahn. After every three or four laps around the river, I also enjoy stopping off at Jefe’s Backyard for a drink. It’s important to keep the hydration up…

Next time we go to South Padre Island, we’re definitely spending a day at Schlitterbahn!

Fishing South Padre Island Texas

If you’re into deep sea fishing, South Padre Island Texas has it!

The story goes that South Padre Island is closer to the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico than any other place along the Gulf coast. So you spend less time getting there, and more time fishing! Afterall, that’s why you’re there, right?

You can fish for Red Snapper, Grouper, Kingfish, Shark, and more.

Keep in mind that these fishing trips last anywhere from 3 to 12 hours, depending on what you choose. Fishing captains are typically not in the habit of turning back if one person gets sea-sick. Be sure to take motion sickness medication if you’re unsure how you’re going to handle the sea!

There are a couple of outfits that offer fishing trips in South Padre. We have used Osprey’s before and had a great time! I took my 12-yr old son on a trip recently and he caught his biggest fish ever! He was all smiles and that made me a happy dad!

Horseback Riding On The Beach

Do you think horseback riding on the beach could be fun? I certainly do. If you agree and want to do it, the Island Equestrian Center is the place to go.

You don’t have to be an experienced rider to do this. Beginners can do it too. The guides are experienced and they take good care of everybody.

The rides take you out along the beach, and you’re allowed to let your horse go a little bit into the surf, which is a lot of fun.

Horseback riding on the beach in South Padre Island Texas is fun activity that the whole family can enjoy!

Dolphin Research and Sea Life Nature Center

A really great, value-for-money place to take the kids while on vacation in South Padre Island is the Dolphin Research and Sea Life Nature Center.

The kids can get a hands-on experience at the touch tanks, where they can touch sea creatures. Their dolphin experience is also among the best you will experience anywhere. Captain George is an excellent, informative guide who tries to give you the best experience ever!

The Center is located in Port Isabel right by the Light House Square and Pirate’s Landing restaurant. Worth a visit!

Sandcastle Lessons

Taking a few sandcastle lessons can add an interesting twist to your vacation.

Andy Hancock has been teaching people how to build sandcastles for a number of years. He’s a nice guy who is very skilled at building sandcastles, and he enjoys teaching people his craft.

Here is more about sandcastle lessons in South Padre.

If you’ve never been to South Padre Island Texas, you have to go! It’s a blast!

South Padre used to be overrun with college students over Spring Break and the usual advice was to avoid it then. However, Andy Hancock tells me that it is not the case anymore.”The days of out-of-control kids everywhere have long gone… Spring break is now being aimed at families on the island,” he says. 

C’mon summer… c’mon South Padre!

PS. Also see our page on South Padre Island hotels.

South Padre Island hotels are plentiful… Some are more expensive, some are cheaper, some are on the beach, and some are not.

And then there are condos too!

The point is, there are many options to choose from. Not all of them are equally good though.

To help you find a hotel in South Padre Island that you will like, I have put together this list of our favorite South Padre Island hotels and condos. 

South Padre Island Hotels

Holiday Inn Express

A great hotel in South Padre Island is the Holiday Inn Express. It isn’t on the beachfront, but you only have to walk a block or two to get to the beach.

As is usually the case with Holiday Inns, this hotel is clean, rooms are comfortable, and the staff are very friendly and helpful. They have a great hot complimentary breakfast!

The hotel has a very nice pool, with a hot tub, and a barbecue grill available outdoors. Inside they have a fitness center and a business center (computers, fax) available for guests.

The Holiday Inn Express is slightly more expensive. Expect to pay around $150 per night during the summer months. Other than that, this is a great hotel!

Super 8 Motel

If price was an issue for you with the Holiday Inn Express, it won’t be an issue with the Super 8 Motel. Here you can expect to pay around $100 per night during the summer. The lower price doesn’t say “bad hotel” though… it is still a great motel.

The rooms are clean and comfortable and some even have kitchenettes, which makes it very nice for families. They allow pets, but be aware that there is a fee for pets.

The Super 8 has a nice pool to help keep everyone cool. They also offer a free continental breakfast.

Comfort Suites

The Comfort Suites is another great South Padre Island hotel that is only a short walk from the beach.

Their rooms are comfortable and clean. The hotel has a very nice pool and hot tub if you want to swim, but don’t feel like going to the beach. Like many hotels these days, they provide free internet access.

It is located behind the McDonald’s on Padre Blvd. If you have kids, that’s good news! The Comfort Suites offers a free hot breakfast though.

South Padre Island Condos

Sea Vista Condos

If you’re looking for South Padre Island condos, check out Sea Vista Condos. This would be great for a larger family because the condos sleep around 6 people, something you don’t easily do in a hotel without booking two rooms.

Sea Vista’s condos have full kitchens, which makes it easier to keep hungry tummies full. The facility also has 2 swimming pools, 2 hot tubs, and a tennis court.

Sea Vista is located right next to the beach and is also next to Schlitterbahn waterpark. That I like a lot!

Suntide III Condominiums

The Suntide III Condominiums is another great choice in condos.

The Suntide has an indoor pool and hot tub, as well as an outdoor pool and hot tub. There is a barbecue picnic area and also a tennis and basketball court.

The condos all have full kitchens and they have 2-bedroom/2-bathroom and 3-bedroom/3-bathroom units available.

There is also a wooden walkway that leads directly onto the beach.

Other Hotels or Condos?

If these South Padre Island hotels or condos don’t have vacancies or you want to look at other choices, here is a list of more South Pade Island hotels and condos.

We moved to San Antonio (with the Army) from Illinois in 2010. We had talked about going to the coast (South Padre) for a while but never did until this past weekend.

We went to South Padre Island with our 89 pound dog and we were able to get a condo right on the beach. When we opened the living room and bedroom doors, there it was.

We only stayed for 3 nights and now I wish we would have planned a week vacation. We thought we would get bored in South Padre, but we didn’t. Not even close.

I will say this, the food was not great on the island anywhere we ate. The best food we found was at Psychadeli- however, take your patience because a sandwich will take about 45 minutes. We cooked most of our meals in the condo.

So of course the real reason we all go to the coast is the beach and we spent a good amount of time just walking the beach, building sandcastles, wading in the water, just enjoying. The beach was clean and well maintained.

We went at the end of April and there were enough people that you did not feel like you were alone, but there was not a lot of people there- it was perfect for us.

We took a pirate ship cruise in the South Padre bay which was great. We also took wave runners out to see the dolphins. We could have spent all day in the little shops. Don’t forget parasailing… I am scared of heights but it was actually amazing.

We want to go back to South Padre and spend more time on the beach and do some horseback riding and atv’ing.

Overall, it is a great place to go and relax and just get away nice and close to home. We will be back soon!

During a recent trip to South Padre Island, we decided to take sandcastle lessons, and boy, was that fun!

We saw the sandcastle lessons advertised on the Island’s web site before we booked our break.

We rang Andy Hancock and his competition. Andy sounded very enthusiastic on the phone and we decided go with Andy to have sandcastle lessons with the children, as it looked like real fun.

We had no idea that Andy the Australian would have more stories than JK Rowling and keep us entertained for hours. Even though he didn’t press us about the time and only charged us for the time booked.

The children had a great time and we all learned a lot about sand and sandcastles.

Andy was based at the Sheraton hotel but gave lessons all over the beach for the entire day – he even lent us a bucket and shovel so we could carry on in the afternoon!

We would recommend this activity to anyone and ANDY WITH IT!! Thanks for a wonderful time!

We rang 956 433 9948 for our lesson and went with Andy as he just sounded like more fun. He was also able to help us with a fishing trip and dinner (Sea Ranch).

I’ve always wanted to go parasailing in South Padre…

We spent a few days on South Padre Island last summer. We stayed in the Holiday Inn next to Schlitterbahn.

As these summer vacations go, we spend a lot of time on the beach. The path that leads to the beach from the Holiday Inn passes by a stall where they sell tickets to go parasailing in South Padre.

My wife and I went parasailing once while on vacation in Greece a few years ago. I loved that and decided to do it again.

The guys who operate the parasailing in South Padre picked me up in a zodiac (rubber boat) on the beach and took me out to the parasailing boat about 300 yards off the beach.

Once I was on the parasailing boat, they strapped me into a harness and made me sit on the launching deck on the back of the boat. Then they attached the harness to the parachute and the boat started moving forward…

I immediately started feeling a gentle lift and thought “oh jeez, here we go.” Then I was off the boat and in the air, slowly going higher and higher. Initially I was a little worried about going higher and higher, but settled down quickly and started enjoying the ride.

I’m not quite sure how high up I was, but it felt pretty high to me. The amazing thing from up there was the view. It was gorgeous! It also became very quiet, as if the wind had died down completely. I was just floating along in the air!

Before I knew it, I slowly started descending and the boat came closer and closer. As the guys operating the parasailing told me to do, I came up on the boat holding my feet out in front of me. I landed softly back on the launching deck and my ride was over.

It was my second time parasailing and it was just as much fun as the first. I’ll definitely do it again if I get the chance!