All South Padre Island Tours & Excursions in 2026

Whale Watching

36 results

Best Seller

4.8

(1,719)

Sunset Dolphin Watch Cruise

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $19

4.7

(14)

Sunset Cruise South Padre Island

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $45

4.8

(89)

3 Hours Snorkeling Excursion in South Padre Island

3 hoursFree Cancellation

from $70

4.8

(1,472)

Eco Tour and Dolphin Watch

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $19

Likely to Sell Out

Fly over the Gulf Of Mexico Parasailing with Sonny’s Beach Service.

Book with us! We are the only Parasail Company on South Padre Island to Parasail over the Beautiful Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Bay. Serving Family Fun for 40 years! Family owned and operated. Sonny's Beach Service offers three locations with Beach Rentals, Ocean and Bay Parasailing with thrilling Banana Boat Rides. Both Parasail and Banana Boats hold 6 passengers. Public Welcome.

...More

5.0

(1)

Bay & Ocean Parasailing over the Gulf of Mexico South Padre Isl.

30 minutes

from $50

4.5

(78)

Fireworks Dolphin Watch & Sunset Cruise

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

from $38

Set sail for a day of bay fishing on the Danny B, a 50 ft. party boat with room for up to 43 anglers. Cast your line into the waters of South Padre Island, where you can catch species like whiting, sand trout, black drum, and shark. This experience not only offers fishing but also provides opportunities for dolphin watching and enjoying the stunning Texas coast. With fishing gear included and a knowledgeable crew ready to assist, this adventure is perfect for both seasoned fishermen and beginners alike.

...More

4.9

(71)

Bay Fishing Adventure in South Padre Island

3 hoursFree Cancellation

from $38

4.6

(59)

45-Minute Jetski Rental in South Padre Island

45 minutesFree Cancellation

from $139

4.4

(219)

Bay Fishing South Padre Island

4 hoursFree Cancellation

from $32

4.7

(130)

Banana Boat South Padre Island

20 minutesFree Cancellation

from $33

4.8

(648)

Parasailing Adventure in South Padre Island

1 hourFree Cancellation

from $97

Special Offer

Set sail on an unforgettable journey with Isla Tours as you embark on a thrilling Dolphin Watch Tour. Experience the excitement of spotting Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat while cruising the beautiful lower Laguna Madre aboard the spacious Murphy's Law. This dolphin watching tour not only offers breathtaking views of Boca Chica Beach and the US Coast Guard Station but also provides a unique opportunity to connect with local wildlife. With frequent dolphin sightings year-round, this tour promises an engaging adventure for families and wildlife enthusiasts alike. - 1 Hour dolphin watch on the Laguna Madre - Comfortable double-decker boat designed for optimum viewing - Regular sightings of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins - Suitable for families and wildlife lovers, with tours available year-round

...More

1888

5:00 PM Dolphin Dash

1 hourFree Cancellation

from

$15

$16

Likely to Sell Out

Exciting Banana Boat Rides with Sonny’s Beach Service, South Padre Island (Ocean & Bay Banana Boat Rides)

We have been in business for 40 years providing Family Fun on South Padre Island. We are the only company to banana boat Oceanside and Bayside (weather permitting). Your USCG licensed Captain and Crew are always there to assure a fun, safe ride. Banana Boating is a fun way to enjoy the views and experience seeing dolphins and all sorts of sea life. This activity is fun for the whole family. YES, you will get wet and probably fall off a couple time, it's just part of the ride. What a great way to cool off after some time in the sun.

...More

Exciting Banana Boat Rides

20 minutes

from $33

5.0

(4)

Orca Whale Inflatable Rides

10 minutes

from $33

Are you ready for an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature? Join us on a thrilling expedition where sightings of the magnificent Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are a year-round spectacle in South Padre Island! Step aboard and let Isla Tours whisk you away to the dolphins' natural playground. Your 1.5 hr adventure is not just a tour; it's a voyage into the enchanting Laguna Madre, where the waters are teeming with life and excitement. Feel the thrill as these playful dolphins dance around your boat, offering you a rare glimpse into their world. But that’s not all! This excursion promises more than just dolphin sightings. It's a brief but captivating tour of the Laguna Madre, where the natural beauty & vibrant marine life will leave you in awe. Imagine the joy of spotting dolphins in their natural habitat, leaping and frolicking in the waves just feet away from you!

...More

4.5

(2)

Eco Tour and Dolphin Watch

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $19

Leave the shore behind and embark on a 90-minute journey into the sparkling emerald waters of South Padre Island. This isn't just a boat ride; it's your front-row seat to the ocean's most enchanting ballet. Witness the playful antics of wild Bottlenose Dolphins as they swim, leap, and chase our wake, and keep an eye out for the acrobatic spins of their smaller, spirited Spinner cousins. The mission is to connect you with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, offering an unscripted glimpse into their world.

...More

4.4

(14)

Dolphin Watching Tour

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $25

4.7

(15)

Parasailing Excursion in South Padre Island

30 minutes

from $96

Historical Port of Brownsville Cruise aboard the Danny B. We depart on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9am (approx. 4 hours). We set sail down the Brownsville ship channel, where the boat will go into the largest shrimp basin in the world. We will have samples of Texas Gulf Shrimp to try. The boat sails into the Port of Brownsville, where you will see international ships, oil rigs being serviced, and ex-Naval ships being dismantled. You will get a glimpse of Space X, migratory birds, and possible sightings of Bottlenose dolphins. Everything will be seen by boat. The captain gives a historical narration and information of the area.

...More

4.6

(10)

Port of Brownsville Tours

4 hoursFree Cancellation

from $44

Likely to Sell Out

Uncover the wonders beneath the waves in a thrilling snorkeling adventure at North Bay, South Padre Island. A quick 10-15 minute boat ride whisks you to a vibrant underwater oasis in shallow 3-foot deep waters. With soft white sand local sea life and gentle sea grass, this family-friendly activity is perfect for snorkelers of all ages. This 2.5-hour guided tour runs daily, making it a convenient and memorable outing for everyone.

...More

681

North Bay Snorkeling Adventure on South Padre Island

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $54

Immerse yourself in the culture and city of Texas’ South Padre Island during this South Padre Island Scavenger Hunt. A remote host will help you begin your scavenger hunt and let you in on the rules of play before you start. Once you’re up to speed, you’ll enjoy doing creative challenges, detective hunts, social experiments and dares, and learning about the city’s culture. A fun way to get acquainted with South Padre Island.

...More

4.2

(31)

The South Padre Shuffle Scavenger Hunt

2 hoursFree Cancellation

from $20

Learn about everything from the South Texas shrimping industry to the history of Brownsville with this 4-hour cruise. You'll also get a glimpse of Starbase, a rocket factory and launch facility created by Elon Musk's SpaceX. If you’re lucky, you may even spot Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins or migratory birds right from the deck. As an added bonus, coffee, donuts, and shrimp cocktail will be served, free of charge.

...More

4.8

(213)

Port of Brownsville Nature Tour

5 hoursFree Cancellation

from $43

Benefit from personalized attention on this private fishing charter on the Laguna Madre from South Padre Island. With your private group of up to six passengers, you'll head out to the best secret fishing spots to catch local fish such as sheepshead, drum, whiting, and sand trout. Depending on your level of experience, you'll get instruction from the captain or be left to your own devices.

...More

4.9

(97)

Private Bay Fishing South Padre Island

4 hoursFree Cancellation

from $539

Per group

4.5

(26)

1.5-Hour Historical Jet Ski Experience in South Padre Island

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $199

Short on time but big on adventure? Join our 1-Hour Dolphin Dash and experience dolphins up close without spending all day or breaking the bank. You’ll cruise the sparkling waters of South Padre Island and see our playful dolphin friends in their natural habitat. Unlike other tours, we make it easy, affordable, and family-friendly—perfect for a quick getaway, an off-season treat, or first-time visitors. Same amazing dolphins, just faster, fun, and budget-friendly! Spots are limited—dash with us today and make memories in just an hour! Cruise along the lower Laguna Madre on our 67-foot double-decker, specially designed to provide an optimal viewing experience for our guests while on the water. See local dolphins in their natural habitat.

1 hourFree Cancellation

from $16

1 2

What are people saying about South Padre Island

3 Hours Snorkeling Excursion in South Padre Island

Angelia_R, Apr 2026

Wonderful

It was a great experience, this was my second time snorkeling and I really enjoyed the lily pad. My family loved the burgers and hotdogs. We had a great time on the boat ride. This ride isn't just with the people you book with but it is with other people who has booked as well. Great time to meet new people and learn about peoples different backgrounds!!!

Check Availability

Sunset Dolphin Watch Cruise

Kelly_S, Apr 2026

Sunset Dolphin Fun! 🌞

Relaxing Boat ride. Captain educated us along the way of our surroundings. Fun seeing the dolphins. No BIG dolphin jumps but many dolphins who resurfaced frequently. Shipmate showed us a crab and a starfish and educated us about them too! Overall great experience.

Check Availability

Bay Fishing South Padre Island

Colleen_H, Mar 2026

Five Star Experience

We had an absolutely amazing bay fishing experience as a family! The atmosphere on the water was relaxed and fun, and the guides were awesome—knowledgeable, patient, and made the whole trip enjoyable from start to finish. We caught plenty of fish, shared lots of laughs, and created some unforgettable memories together. It was the perfect mix of adventure and quality family time, and we would absolutely do it again—highly recommend!

Check Availability

Port of Brownsville Nature Tour

Lynne_W, Feb 2026

Time and $ Well-Spent

Excellent tour! Ship captain not only ‘ followed the script’ but he was constantly on the lookout for extras. Thanks to him we not only got a great tour and learned interesting history and current developments but also got to see interesting wildlife. Well worth the $$!

Check Availability

Private Sunset Cruise South Padre Island

Dennis_A, Aug 2025

Amazing experience… boat...

Amazing experience… boat driver was entertaining and gave us great facts and places to visit, we saw an incredible amount of dolphins and the sand dollar hunting was amazing. Highly recommend P.S. can the boat driver please send us the pictures he took at sunset, we totally forgot to get them from him thank you!

Check Availability

South Padre Island Sandcastling Experience

Matthew_B, Jul 2025

Building success

José’ was great. Fantastic step by step process and basic principles of sand building. Our group had a great experience and would recommend it to anyone. There is bending, standing and getting water into buckets through out the hour. Great for adults and older kids. Get onboard and start your sand building experience.

Check Availability

Banana Boat South Padre Island

Carmen_A, Jul 2025

We had an absolute blast...

We had an absolute blast on the Banana Boat ride! The staff was super friendly, made sure everyone felt safe, and gave us the perfect mix of speed and fun- even turned it down a bit to accommodate our youngest daughter. Great for both kids and adults – definitely a highlight of our trip. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something exciting on the water! Also, wanted to give a huge thanks for fishing me out after my unexpected Olympic “dive” off the boat dock! I may have lost my dignity and a croc, but thanks to y’all, I was out quickly. Your rescue skills were faster than my fall—which is saying something. 🤣 We definitely will be back!

Check Availability

45-Minute Jetski Rental in South Padre Island

Elijjah_W, Jul 2025

First time jet skiing

It was absolutely amazing, I’m someone who typically doesn’t like to be that deep in the ocean but whilst on the jet ski I felt no danger at all and after watching how the instructor rode his jet ski I just tried copying what he’d do and it all came naturally for me I was standing, laying down, making hard turns and everything at full speed having the time of my life, the instructor also went out of his way to get video recordings and photos of me and my partner while we were jet skiing which was really cool of him as well as him just being a really cool dude, the only negative part of the experience I could say which was more so my fault and I didn’t even notice till later on is be careful not the let the handlebars chafe on your skin while driving, had been aware of it though and readjusted how I was holding the handles it likely wouldn’t have happened, but the whole experience itself was AMAZING!

Check Availability

193e8ca3-7d29-4eac-b2d3-9c3ac4dc040a

things_to_do

More Tours in South Padre Island

Things to do near South Padre Island

South Padre Island Best Experiences

Popular on Viator

Cruises & Sailing On the Ground Outdoor Activities Water Tours Fishing Charters Tubing Day Cruises Private Drivers Historical Tours Nature Walks Night Cruises Multi-day Tours