The water on this beach is clearer, warmer, and calmer than that of other beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. My question is: How deep is the water that you usually go snorkeling in? Snorkeling with American Diving offers you the most professional and only licensed guides on the island. The former troopship is now an artificial reef on the side, where it was once stationed during WWII. Re: Snorkeling at South Padre? The uncommon nature of this body of water means snorkelers can count on seeing some interesting and amazing spectacles, such as: While theres no doubt that the beautiful marine life and biodiverse ecosystems are the stars of the show, being prepared for a snorkeling excursion will optimize your experience. Early Bird Special! This large shallow body of water separates Padre Island from the southern Texas mainland is actually one of the largest hypersaline coastal lagoons in the world, ranked fourth largest out of six. Snorkeling Excursions The one-of-a-kind location of South Padre Island provides visitors the opportunity to see and experience some amazing things, our snorkeling excursions being one. He was excellent a explaining in a simple way to not overwhelm us. Parasailing at SPI. Jeff and the rest of the crew made sure we had everything we needed. The best time to go snorkeling is in the morning, when the water is calm. It has hyper salinity, due to its isolation from other water bodies, and thats what makes this place so special. Kids really like to see these fish along with turtles and other aquatic wildlife. You can get a firsthand look at a variety of fish in Laguna Madre Bay through scuba diving. Belize offers an excellent diving experience whether youre a beginner or an experienced diver looking for a new challenge. Lower Laguna Madre Fishing Report By Blast to Cast Captain Mike Knox. In addition to snorkeling excursions, the charter companies based in South Padre Island offer more adventures that will get you out exploring the vast waters surrounding the island. The cost for these trips includes all necessary equipment, as well as informational background on South Padre Island and its one-of-a-kind snorkeling environment from their professional crew. 200 W Pike St. South Padre Island, Tx 78597 . Cap did all he could to get us on the fish but it was just too windy and choppy. The beach jetties provide homes to many types of fish that are normally only found in reefs, including wrasse, trumpetfish, and triggerfish. Balmorhea State Park, the largest spring-fed swimming pool in the world is called as 'cool oasis in the high desert' and features crystal-clear water. Facts and Figures, Worlds Deepest Shipwreck Discovered in the Philippines, Wonder Reef, Gold Coasts New Dive Attraction, 110-year-old Shipwreck Found in the Icy Waters of Antarctica. View Trip. You will find affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Popular snorkeling spots include Possum Kingdom and San Marcos River. View Trip. Access is also available from South Padre Island. While there are many snorkelers that prefer to swim without fins, we like to use them as they give us a little extra push, especially if you want to dive down to see that colorful fish or pretty shells up close! Read Next: The Best & Worst Times to Visit South Padre Island in 2023. It is home to over 1,000 different species of coral and consists of approximately 150 individual reefs. The states 367-mile coastline makes it one of the most popular destinations for adventurous activities such as trekking, rafting, scuba diving, and snorkeling. South Padre Island Fishing Report. It's best not to go near South Padre Island because of the strong waves. Activities list : snorkeling, tubing, fishing, dolphin / turtle watch, shelling, sea life touch and learn, sunset cruise, fireworks cruise, dinner cruise, Established in 2019. Still nice folks. It is an incredible adventure, and is particularly exciting for kids and beginner snorkelers thanks to the shallow depth of the waters averaging 4.5 feet in the lagoon. We also saw plenty of dolphins on our cruise. Underwater visibility can be anywhere between 3 to 30 meters (10 and 100 feet), depending on the location and water currents. If you buy something through a link on our site we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to yourself. There are fish in abundance here, both small and medium-sized. All Rights Reserved. I must first say, you have picked the best captain to work for you. If you find yourself alone in the water, try not to panic. Enderts Beach in California. Fishing under moon is so peaceful and pleasant. Cap got us on some fish and my sister caught a 60 pound sting ray. South Padre Island is a popular vacation destination in the United States, and it is one of the most popular beach resorts. South Padre Island Snorkeling offers you a chance to try out a fun sport for the whole family. In addition to Dinner Cruises and Snorkeling trips Southern Wave rents out Kayaks, Paddle Boats and Paddle Boards. Due to the islands beautiful diversity, Scuba Diving magazine ranked South Padre Island among the Top 100 snorkeling spots over the years. Whether you would rather scuba dive or snorkel, it does not really matter. Visitors can take in a 600-mile stretch of Texas coastline in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a great pity we didn't realize we can tip our staff, so we didn't bring much change. CONTACT. The mucky and brownish water in the Gulf of Mexico is due to the proximity of the mouth of the Mississippi River and the fact that South Padre Island is only a few miles from the river. Try and target redfish on windier warmer days. If you are looking for a relaxed and laidback option, then you can do that as well here. Snorkel TX will provide all of their clients with a mask, fins, and snorkel, and even include transportation to and from several river locations. The sanctuary protects an area of the Gulf of Mexico where wildlife live and an environment. U.S. 59 to Route TX 288. Replication can only be made with prior agreement by quoting the source with a link to the site, whether it's text, picture or video. Grab the beach ball and head to one of the Island's beach access points to soak up the sun! 3. The Gulf of Mexico Marine Sanctuary is critical to the survival of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. No need for a wetsuit, all that is needed is a swimsuit, the snorkeling headgear, and possibly some swimming fins. Wonderful experience for Bay fishing trip. South Padre Island Birding And Nature Center A view above the Bird Blinds at South Padre Island | Shutterstock Rating: 4.5 To book your South Padre Island Bay Fishing Charter with Captain Mike Knox, call 1-956-243-0039. Had a great time. Port Isabel Historical Museum. (956) 761-4243. This gorgeous island is well known among scuba divers for a number of shipwrecks, oil rigs and artificial reefs on the North East side, but most snorkelers will enjoy a more chilled excursion in the North-West part of Laguna Madre. If youre a beginner, we recommend practicing from shore a few days before boarding a snorkeling vessel and embarking on an exciting sea adventure. The safety of young children should not be a top priority for their parents. We perform annual inspections on SCUBAPRO, Atomic Aquatics, Mares, and Zeagle 1st and 2nd stage regulators. One important thing to keep in mind while exploring the seafloor of Laguna Madre is that this environment is ideal for juvenile fish. Nuevo Progreso, a tourist border town in the United States, survives solely on tourism. Located in the USA, the snorkeling in Texas is known for four scenic snorkel dive spots. Welcome to Southern Comfort! The inner lagoon at South Padre, Laguna Madre, is a very unique ecosystem. One of our crew member's name was Ivan and I can't remember the others. We had to show up both days for answers. The mask needs to fit your face there is no such thing as a universally perfect mask so get on that fits well without any water leaking in the inner space. All that is needed is a mask, snorkel, and fins, and you are set. You will need to breathe through your mouth only, thanks to the snorkel that catches air from the atmosphere and allows you to stay with your face down in the water for as long as you want. For the BEST IT and Security Services in the RGV visit: Our expert technicians are fully trained and certified to service and repair all of your scuba equipment needs. Snorkeling works best in the calm and shallow waters of the Laguna Madre as waves become a disturbance to seeing underneath. Captain Joe Lee and first mate JJ were both absolutely amazing. South Padre Island. Learn more about snorkeling in South Padre Island by reading on below! It is a popular sport among children because it is simple to learn and does not require any significant equipment. Texas hot summers draw both residents and visitors to the states vast array of white sand beaches. The Grom Life is an independent publisher. Several cruise operators will be able to take you there for a snorkeling trip at several spots of the lagoon. 10. Unless you are planning to join in on the spring break fun - rowdy partying at. And finally arguably most importantly remember to have a good time and enjoy the underwater scenery! The ship is 144-meter-/473-foot-long and its upper parts are located at a depth of about 18 meters (60 feet). South Padre Island has made the Top 100 snorkeling spots list in Scuba Diving magazine many times over the years. The thrill of scuba diving is the appeal of the great discovery: the anticipation, the dreaming of the find, the discovery, and the excitement of finding the treasure and even the later recollection and retelling of the big event. The site is heavily decorated with tube-building worms, mollusks,. Is snorkeling South Padre Island any good? The Getaway is definitely the best boat for these type of trips. The warmest waters in the area allow for swimming, while underneath the surface, guests can see what lies beneath. Although the water visibility is usually not great, you may encounter stingrays, eels, wrasse, triggerfish, trumpetfish and some sharks. We went to 2 different dolphin spots and saw many swimming in both places. Its a barrier island in South Padre Island thats ideal for tourists looking for something different to do in Texas. In addition, you can even explore the Texas Clipper. Coral and fish can be found in abundance in the reef system. The decommissioned oil rig Los Torres is about 73 meters (240 feet) deep and 27 meters (90 feet) high. Scuba Diving in South Padre Island lets you explore shipwrecked vessels and view the oceans deep. The beautiful Balmorhea State Park is home to the worlds largest spring-fed swimming pool with some of the most exquisite crystal-clear waters and is interestingly referred to as the cool oasis in the high desert.. Whether youre a beginner or an experienced snorkeler, there are plenty of spots where you can enjoy this activity. This area just of the South Padre Island coast was a problematic area for ships in years past. It is the only tropical island in Texas. These are inexpensive and are a great help at teaching the basics of snorkeling and what to do when things go wrong. Alright, now that you are a little more up to scratch with the Lone Star States snorkeling experience, let us help you plan your next underwater excursion by showing you some of the best snorkeling spots in Texas: Windy Point Park is undoubtedly one of Central Texass most popular snorkeling and diving destinations. Our aim is to make your vacation one to remember, and we supply everything - you just bring your smile. Companies like Breakaway Cruises, Southern Wave Sailing Charters, and American Diving have the right blend of experienced instructors and guides and reasonable prices to make them a desirable first choice. And when she finally arrived he was able to get us very close so we could see how the tugs controlled her. The reef is 2 miles from Central Padre Island and is a shallow dive, coming up to 24 feet from a sea floor at roughly 45 feet. If you rent snorkel equipment, then ask for shop attendant help to find the mask that fits you best. Stop in and have one of our knowledgeable staff help you find the equipment that is right for you. If you want an exciting snorkeling experience, then Possum Kingdom is the place to go. With 54 km/31 mi of white sand beaches and clear water, it is home to many water sport activities such as fishing, kiteboarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. It is a popular scuba diving destination as well as a popular snorkeling destination. In May 1997, the Port Isabel Historical Museum was opened. The suns rays penetrate the oceans surface, giving you a better view of the ocean. Possum Kingdom offers a large variety of adventure opportunities, both on land and in the water. South Padre Island, Texas The South Padre Island Historical Museum is a great place to visit for those looking for a bit of history and culture. 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