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Last week I was at a seminar for a couple days on South Padre Island, Texas and had some spare time 
to drive around the island and locate and view some of the various timeshare properties on the island. Here are my thoughts and observations.
First, South Padre Island pretty much runs north to south. On the east side of the island is the Gulf of Mexico. On the west side, is the Laguna Madre, a type of bay. While I was there the water in both the Gulf and Laguna Madre were really beautiful, a light bluish green color. The beaches on the Gulf side are a light amber color and clean. In Texas, all beaches are public. There are no private beaches.
Timeshares right on the Gulf of Mexico beach:
Timeshares on Laguna Madre:
Timeshares in between Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre:
The way you get onto South Padre Island is over a long bridge from the town of Port Isabel. When you reach the island, you are on the south end of the island. The Peninsula and Royal resorts are very close to the entry onto the island from the bridge. The Inverness resort is at the northern part of the town. All other resorts are somewhat in the middle of the town.
The highway that goes through South Padre Island continues for another 7 miles north where it ends. You can get access to the beach by car/truck after that but you are in a very undeveloped area and you have to watch the tides at some places if you drive up the beach because you may get trapped from coming back until the tide recedes.
The island has really developed with shopping and restaurants over the last few years. It is pretty much a dedicated beach town, with your usual beach shops. But its shopping has expanded into other upper scale shopping. There are a lot of restaurants to choose from.
The main reasons to stay here on the island is the warm weather year round, fishing, relaxing on the beach. Some of the resorts have more activities than others. The older resorts are more stay and sleep resorts that anything else.
Supposedly there is a local ordinance that bans ties and socks.
It is a very relaxing place that would be a nice getaway for someone looking to get away from cold weather. The local cost of living is very reasonable and the local citizenry is very friendly. Mexico is probably an hour away at Brownsville.
Ranking of resorts if I were to exchange into South Padre Island:
to drive around the island and locate and view some of the various timeshare properties on the island. Here are my thoughts and observations.First, South Padre Island pretty much runs north to south. On the east side of the island is the Gulf of Mexico. On the west side, is the Laguna Madre, a type of bay. While I was there the water in both the Gulf and Laguna Madre were really beautiful, a light bluish green color. The beaches on the Gulf side are a light amber color and clean. In Texas, all beaches are public. There are no private beaches.
Timeshares right on the Gulf of Mexico beach:
- Peninsula Island Resort and Spa (PIU) II 5 Star [this is the newest of all resorts, built in the last 3 or 4 years]
- Royal Beach & Tennis Club (SAR and 4309) VRI resort
- Inverness at South Padre Island (0852) (also known as Destinations at Inverness at South Padre Island 7869)
Timeshares on Laguna Madre:
- Galleon Bay Club (1079); it looks to have a marina connected to it.
Timeshares in between Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre:
- Sweetwater at South Padre Island (0490) [maybe now known as Sunchase at South Padre Island, it was an ORE resort, now VRI and this is the name of it on VRI's website.]
- Seascape Condominiums (1103)
The way you get onto South Padre Island is over a long bridge from the town of Port Isabel. When you reach the island, you are on the south end of the island. The Peninsula and Royal resorts are very close to the entry onto the island from the bridge. The Inverness resort is at the northern part of the town. All other resorts are somewhat in the middle of the town.
The highway that goes through South Padre Island continues for another 7 miles north where it ends. You can get access to the beach by car/truck after that but you are in a very undeveloped area and you have to watch the tides at some places if you drive up the beach because you may get trapped from coming back until the tide recedes.
The island has really developed with shopping and restaurants over the last few years. It is pretty much a dedicated beach town, with your usual beach shops. But its shopping has expanded into other upper scale shopping. There are a lot of restaurants to choose from.
The main reasons to stay here on the island is the warm weather year round, fishing, relaxing on the beach. Some of the resorts have more activities than others. The older resorts are more stay and sleep resorts that anything else.
Supposedly there is a local ordinance that bans ties and socks.
It is a very relaxing place that would be a nice getaway for someone looking to get away from cold weather. The local cost of living is very reasonable and the local citizenry is very friendly. Mexico is probably an hour away at Brownsville.Ranking of resorts if I were to exchange into South Padre Island:
- Peninsula Island Resort
- Royal Beach & Tennis Resort
- Inverness at South Padre Island
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