South Padre Island, TX

If you're dreaming of life on an island, where your free time is spent on a sandy beach enjoying everything from swimming and surfing to boating and fishing, South Padre Island might be the place for you. South Padre Island is a resort town known for its beautiful beaches and water sports. It is located on a barrier island off the southernmost tip of Texas, roughly 25 miles northeast of Brownsville. The island is very narrow, so no matter where you choose to live in South Padre Island, you'll be close to the water.

While dolphin-watching and sea turtles will consume much of your time, South Padre Island does offer a variety of shops and restaurants to explore -- many catering to the booming tourist industry. Among the surf shops, you'll find a smattering of art galleries, book stores, and specialty shops. The South Padre Island Farmers Market, open every Sunday, provides fresh produce, eggs, and (of course) seafood.

The Padre Island National Seashore takes up much of the island north of South Padre Island and is the world's longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island. The park provides 70 miles of unspoiled beaches and is home to nearly 400 different species of birds. The park is popular for camping, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. From mid-June through August, sea turtles hatchlings draw tourists from all over, anxious to see the hatchlings take their 30-40 minute trek across the beach and into the water.