I love researching interesting facts about the places I visit. Here are a few for South Padre Island, Texas.
1. South Padre Island (SPI) is the southern most island on the gulf coast of Texas; only 7 miles from the Mexico border.
2. The island was named after Padre José Nicolás Ballí, a Spanish priest who established the first permanent settlement at the south end of Padre around 1804. The word Padre is Spanish for father.
3. SPI is a barrier island that was formally part of the larger Padre Island; the longest barrier island in the world. SPI became a separate island when the Mansfield Channel was cut through Padre Island in 1957. While you might expect to find a corresponding North Padre Island, the official name of the island north of the Mansfield Channel is simply the original name of "Padre" Island. Bonus fact: Padre Island is home of the Padre Island National Seashore which is located at the south end of Padre Island, not to be confused with South Padre Island. Got it??
4. SPI is between the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Laguna Madre Bay to the east.
5. SPI is 34 miles long and only about a half mile wide in most areas and just a few miles at its widest. You can drive the entire length of South Padre Island, but only about 12 miles is on a paved road. You can drive the remaining 20+ miles on the beach. Just be aware of high tide!
6. The 2.4 mile long Queen Isabel Memorial Causeway enables you to drive from Port Isabel, on the mainland, to South Padre Island.
7. The only city on South Padre Island is also named South Padre Island.
8. South Padre Island is home to approximately 2100 permanent residents. However, visitors can increase the population to more than 80,000 during Spring Break.
9. During the winter, visitors to South Padre Island are primarily retired snowbirds "Winter Texans”. In the Spring, South Padre Island transforms to a party destination for college students on Spring Break.
10. In addition to being a popular vacation destination for humans, SPI is a popular nesting destination for sea turtles. Nesting season is from April through November but you can visit sea turtles any time of the year at the Sea Turtle, Inc. rescue center and the SPI Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary.
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