South Padre Island (SPI) is as popular with sea turtles as it is with tourists. Every year thousands of sea turtles hatch on the dunes and beaches of South Padre Island. Unfortunately, many sea turtles are also killed or injured every year, often due to humans. Sea Turtle, Inc was founded on South Padre Island to help rescue injured and endangered sea turtles and to educate people on their struggles. The Sea Turtle Art Trail was established to help draw attention to the efforts of Sea Turtle, Inc as well as highlight local artists.
New sea turtles are added to the trail over time. As of January 2023, you can find 12 artistic sea turtles spread across the developed (southern) part of South Padre Island. You’ll likely run across some of sea turtles during your SPI visit without even trying. Look for a sign with the turtle’s name and a QR code linking to the turtle’s website. If you snap a picture as you visit each of the 12 sea turtles, you too can be rockin’ your free Sea Turtle Trail t-shirt!
You can find a complete list of sea turtle locations online or pick up a printed map from the South Padre Island Visitors Center. Both the website and the back side of the printed map describe how to earn your turtle swag.
You can integrate the Sea Turtle Trail into your other activities or tackle the turtles all at once. They’re all accessible with just a little walking using typical SPI modes of transportation. If you’re especially energetic, you could walk/run between all of them (almost 10 miles round-trip).
We found biking a great way to visit all of the turtles. Plan at least an hour if you bike fast and take quick pics! With 2-3 hours, you can stop along the way for a refreshment and even a bit of live music! If you choose to bike the turtle trail, you might want to make a loop of it to minimize how many times you have to cross, the often busy, Padre Blvd. For example, if you start at Sea Ranch, you could visit all the turtles in this order and only cross Padre Blvd at the south and north ends of town where it's less busy.
Sea Ranch
You’ll find Lucy near the entrance of the Sea Ranch Restaurant. She’s the only turtle on the Sea Turtle Trail that looks like wood. In fact, she’s carved from local mesquite. Lucy blends so nicely with the dolphins that join her at the Sea Ranch entrance that I didn’t realize she was part of the Sea Turtle Trail the first time I saw her.
Beach Park
Beach Park is located directly across from the Sea Ranch Restaurant. It’s a water park that is only open during the summer season. Fortunately, Isla is near the park entrance so you can visit her even during the off-season and without actually entering the water park. Isla is my favorite of all the sea turtles on the SPI Sea Turtle Trail. She’s 11 ft (3.35 m) tall and so bright and cheerful I couldn’t help but hug her!
Even though Isla is hard to miss, the grounds for Beach Park are quite large. So, here’s a map to help you locate her a little faster.
Beach Resort at South Padre
Liberty is likely the most challenging sea turtle to find. The location on the website says “Beach Resort at South Padre” and the location on the printed map gets you to the general location. However, there are many buildings in that general location, none of which show up in a search for that name. Perhaps there was previously a place named “Beach Resort at South Padre” and maybe it was purchased by Holiday Inn. The “Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island” is where you’ll find the beautiful and patriotic Liberty sea turtle! I had the benefit of being with friends that already uncovered Liberty’s mysterious location. Below is a map and tips to help you!
If you’re walking or biking from the beach, head for the Seaside Bar & Grill. You can continue down the alley next to the bar then walk in the gate (assuming it’s open) for the swimming pool area. You’ll find Liberty between the gate and the back doors to the building you just walked past. If you’re coming from Padre Blvd, map to the Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island. You can park your car in the lot near the Tesla charging station and walk down the alley or ride your bike down the alley. Assuming the gate is open, that’s probably faster than walking through the resort.
SPI Visitors Center
Indigo is the only turtle on the Sea Turtle trail that’s located inside a building. I haven’t actually tried the doors of the South Padre Island Visitors Center after hours, but I assume Indigo is locked in. So, you should plan accordingly! And, if you stop at the visitor center to pick up a map at the beginning of your adventure or pick up your swag at the end, you’ll need it to be open anyway. Snap your turtle selfie while you’re there!
Art Business Incubator South Padre Island
You’ll find Miracle in front of the Art Business Incubator South Padre Island building. That’s a long name deserving of the acronym you’ll find listed on the Sea Turtle Trail website. Miracle is one of my favorite turtles for what she represents with her little hatching turtle eggs. And, what’s not to love about her location… right next to Kics Ice Cream… just in case you need a break!
Padre Island Brewing Company
Padre is one of only two turtles on the Sea Turtle Trail inspired by a specific person. The Padre sea turtle pays tribute to Padre Jose Nicolas Balli for which the island was named. The painting of the Padre is intentionally similar to the logo for the Padre Island Brewing Company where the turtle is located.
Turtle Park Morningside
The only other turtle on the Sea Turtle Trails that’s inspired by a specific person is, Ila. It’s named after and includes a painting of Ila Loetscher, the founder of Sea Turtle, Inc. Ila, the sea turtle, is appropriately located in Turtle Park on E. Morningside Drive.
Turtle Island
Tom and I must have driven by Tank at least a dozen times during our two winters on South Padre Island and never noticed him. Maybe he’s too big or to high up… or we’re simply oblivious to our surroundings! It wasn’t until we were driving out of the parking lot for Sea Turtle, Inc, across the street from Turtle Island, that we finally saw Tank. He’s 33 ft (10 m) tall and 20 ft (6 m) wide. How could we miss him!?! Tank is at the entrance… actually he is the entrance to Turtle Island. Turtle Island is one of many beach clothing/souvenir shops on South Padre Island but it’s the only one on the Sea Turtle Trail!
SPI Convention Center
You can find Luna in front of the South Padre Island Convention Center. Luna is one of several turtles on the Sea Turtle Trail that you should view (and photograph) from different sides. I wish I realized this sooner because I only caught its sunny top side. If you look at Luna’s web page, you’ll see the underneath reveals Luna’s beautiful dark side!
SPI Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary
At the time of writing this post, Rosie’s home is listed, online, as the SPI Chamber. And, we did find an empty concrete slab there that probably served as her nest. It seems Rosie forgot to inform the web team about her migration from the SPI Chamber to the The SPI Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary. Fortunately, we were able to track her down using the printed map. While you're there, pay the reasonable admission fee and enjoy the many birds, turtles, alligators, snakes and other live animals!
Sea Turtle, Inc.
Coral, also known as La Sierna (the mermaid) was the first Sea Turtle Tom and I met. She is in, perhaps, the most significant location. You’ll find Coral near the entrance to Sea Turtle, Inc. which is the inspiration of the entire Sea Turtle Trail. While you’re there, it’s well worth the small fee to step inside, learn their story, and meet some of the rescued sea turtles and other sea life living in their huge tanks.
SPI Community Center
Many of the turtles on the Sea Turtle Trail include pictures of sea animals but Crush is the only one with dogs! You can find Crush in front of the SPI Community Center. Don't forget to pick up a schedule of the many free activities and lessons available at the community center, like Line Dancing!
I hope you enjoyed this virtual ride along the South Padre Island Sea Turtle Art Trail. We had so much fun we’ll certainly do it again when we return next year… and we’ll know to take pictures from different angles! One of the best things about the Sea Turtle Trail is that you do it as many times as you want. Make it different every time by combining it with other fun photo ops or stopping for live music, drinks, and shopping along the way!
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