Page 46 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2025-2026 Sea Turtle Inc. Sea Turtle Inc. is a nonprofit sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center located on South Padre Island, Texas. For over 48 years, Sea Turtle Inc. has served as both a vital conservation organization and the island’s largest tourist attraction, welcoming more than 250,000 guests annually. The organization also plays a key role in education, reaching over 80,000 children each year through its programs and outreach efforts. In March of 2025, Sea Turtle Inc. opened the world’s largest fully enclosed sea turtle hospital — complete with its own surgical suite, CT machine and research center — further advancing its commitment to sea turtle rehabilitation, conservation and research. In addition to the largest sea turtle hospital in the world, visiting the Sea Turtle Inc. complex also includes a museum, resident turtle habitat, education center, amphitheater, and gift shop, offering an immersive, once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors. South Padre Island is one of the only beaches in the U.S. where you can witness Kemp’s ridley sea turtles — the most critically endangered sea turtle species — nesting during the day. Nesting season is from April to August, making the perfect vacation destination for families drawing opportunities to not only see nesting females but to also see hatchlings released back into the ocean. More information to help plan your visit to Sea Turtle Inc., a 501c3 organization, can be located at seaturtleinc.org. Sandcastle Village The Holiday Sandcastle Village can be found on South Padre Island on W. Ling St., right under the Ferris Wheel and across from Louie’s Backyard. The Village was first erected to be a holiday village for Christmas but has evolved to feature sand exhibits of other holidays including Valentine’s Day, graduation, Fourth of July, and more. The rotating exhibit is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, there is no charge to view but donations are accepted. For more information on the Sandcastle Village, visit www.sandcastlevillage.com or find them on Facebook where there are regular updates of who is working and what they are working on. Details on upcoming events, including unveilings of new works, can be found on the website and social media as well. Beach Waterpark Texas’ most innovative waterpark is nestled along the beach on beautiful South Padre Island. Splash into more than 2 dozen water attractions, including slides, tube chutes, four uphill water coasters, the SandCastle water funhouse, and the Surf Rider inland surf attraction. An award-winning river links the tube chutes and water coasters with the park’s beaches, so guests float between rides without having to get out of their tube. Amidst the fun, there are various options available for food and drinks throughout the park. An event center is set to open this summer; a perfect venue for weddings, quinceañeras and corporate events. The park is located at 33261 State Park Rd. 100, on South Padre Island and is open starting weekends beginning mid-April until mid-May. Then it is open daily from mid-May to early August, and open weekends from early August to mid-September. Tickets for one day or two day admission, group admission, as well as season passes and rentals for cabanas and palapas, are available online at www.beachwaterparktx. com Call (956) 772-SURF (7873) or visit www. beachwaterparktx.com for more information and full hours. Isla Blanca Park A favorite destination among island lovers, this park located at the southern tip of South Padre Island has pavilions, shaded picnic areas, walking trails, a full-service marina, a fishing jetty, and full hook-up RV sites. The University of Texas-RGV Coastal Studies Laboratory, with examples of marine life from the Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico, is located inside the park. The lab is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information on the lab call (956) 761-2644. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, and the admission charge is $12 per vehicle. For more information call (956) 761-5494.
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