Netwit2000

Hi! I'm thinking of driving from Kansas to the gulf coast in Tx. for a vacation the 1st week in June, with my 17 yo daughter and 7 yo nephew. I'd also like to take our German Shep. dog along for safety.

I'm wondering if the beaches in SPI or even NPI compare to where we went last year in Florida- Madeira Beach. Are the waters clear and pretty, the beaches clean? How is crime in the area? Anything to watch for or avoid?

All responsses will be helpful and I thank you greatly in advance!

Netwit2000

traveller69

We just spent a month on North Padre Island. We rented a condo which was 5 minutes from the beach. We also have a dog (not as big as yours though - mini doxie). The beach and water there was incredible. You can drive right on the sand and the beach goes for miles and miles. The dogs have a marvelous time. Crime in that area just isn't and issue. North Padre is not as busy as South Padre as there aren't many hotels. It is just over the bridge from Corpus Christi and I can't recommend it enough. There were great restaurants (inexpensive and excellent seafood) I think at that time of year you won't have a problem with crowds as school is still in. We had the beach practically to ourselves on weekdays. There were a lot more people on the weekend but the beach is so big that it certainly isn't a problem. I understand spring break is definitely the time to avoid. By the way there are quite a few condo rentals that allow pets. If you have any more questions about that area just ask.

ChristieP

No, the beach at South Padre Island does NOT look llike the ones in Florida. The water is not turquoise blue, and the sand is not like white sugar. SPI water is a darker blue-green, and the beach sand is more brownish. Still, it is a very popular beach and many people vacation there and enjoy it. Crime is not a problem.

scuba1203

I've lived near No. Padre and NO! The water is not pretty. My advice is to go to the AL, MS, or FL panhandle. So much nicer.

traveller69

Just to clarify my response. If you want pretty water N. Padre is not for you. If you want long stretches of nice sandy beach that is not crowded then N.Padre is.

Netwit2000

Thank you all so much! Those responses really help me to narrow down what we're going to do. I happened to find a video tour of SPI and did wonder about the water and such. We just fell so in love with Madeira Beach, it was like being in Hawaii it was so pretty there.

I'm thinking NPI or SPI might be good for a shorter getaway, as opposed to the big vaca. Maybe not as much to do there as in Florida either. I will check on NPI too, I so appreciate the responses!

jayne1973

There is a BIG difference between SPI and NPI. If you are driving that far for a Texas beach experience, go to SPI. It's very nice.

Netwit2000

Thanks Jayne, that also helps.
Now can anyone answer this for me. Is the water/sand on either of those just murky? I read somewhere the sand on SPI wasn't as nice as it used to be because of repeated oil spills. I know we went to Corpus Christi one time and it was not nice. Beach was somewhat dirty, water was murky like a Kansas mud lake.

I have to admit, we go for the beauty of the ocean as much as to swim. Plus in that region of Florida I keep mentioning, there are several things to do, other islands to visit. After viewing the video tour, I kind of got the impression SPI was sort of like a one trick pony. You got miles of beach, but that was it, nothing else to really do or see. No variation in the area.
Thanks again to anyone who takes the time to help We love to travel, but I'm a single mom so it's always on a budget. It is a luxury we sacrifice for, but really cherish. I came upon SPI because I want to take my nephew who is autistic. I thought the drive would wear us down (16 hrs.) but might be economical compared to airfare and worth it if the area was nice enough, with enough to keep us occupied.

dorkforcemom

Netwit2000
I'm with the others who think the beaches in Florida are nothing like Texas beaches - even south Padre. While I haven't been to Madeira beach, I've been to the Florida panhandle beaches, Sanibel Island, and Clearwater. They are, hands down, much more beautiful than anything on Padre. Hope this helps....

missypie

I first visited South Padre Island in 1974. The sand was bright white and the water was blue. I believe there were two hotels.

It's nothing like that now. Our last Texas beach experience was in Galveston...there was lots of tar in the sand and there were loads of jellyfish....I don't know if SP or NP have the same issues.

jayne1973

There is a Schlitterbahn water park on South Padre now. It's unusual because you can do most of the park without ever getting off your raft.

Of course there's also the standard mini golf, dune buggy rentals, banana boats, dophin watching cruises, and horseback riding, not to mention scores of souvenir shops. There's also a sea turtle rescue center, which is kind of interesting.

If you do go to SPI, you need to know that there are two sides -- gulf and bay. If you want to be on the beach, stay on the gulf side.

We've gone in June six times and never been disappointed.

dfr4848

Hi Net - The beaches in SPI are not like those in NPI (NPI is 160 mi north of SPI) and they're certainly not like Galveston. You can not compare them. And they're not like Madeira. The currents in the Gulf flow in a counterclockwise direction. So, beaches in LA and TX get the waters from the Miss. River (which is muddy with soil runoff etc from the Midwest) - the FL beaches don't. As you travel west along the Gulf, the beaches and water gets clearer as the silt settles. Thus SPI has deep blue/green water and nice beaches - Galveston doesn't. While not like FL, most people think SPI is very nice and has plenty to do, including being 30 min from Mexico.

Hope this helps.

Netwit2000

Thanks bunches! Yes those responses absolutely help. I'm thinking we'll go for Madeira Beach with SPI as a back up plan. Thanks again to everyone who responded!