Visited South Padre Island (Texas) a couple years ago. Is a wonderful place, but commercial seems to be creeping north along the coast. You are allowed to drive on the beach. I had a 4 wheel drive so I did. There were also some guys with big 4 wheelers that made money from pulling people out after getting stuck in the sand. I could tell, they had a lot of fun doing that. One group I met did not charge to pull people out, because of the fun they had doing it. I would not recommend during spring break because traffic become unmovable and all hotel and cottage rates at least triple with sky high security deposits. A real nice part, is a few miles north of most of the people is the Nude Beach that was labeled by red paint on an old log. The nude beach is located in what I would call a sand cove. The sand mountains jet out toward the water on the north and south side. It may be inaccessible during high tide. The ocean in front of you and sand mountains behind you. I stripped down and enjoyed. Only other people I saw were people driving by, looking for nude sunbathers and a spanish speaking couple. I heard one ot the drive bys shout out ‘there is one. I laughed. I tried to communicate with the other nudes, about the Man-A-Wars that were on the beach and in the water, but without success. Occasionally I would see a helicopter flying up and down the coast. Think was immigration or coast guard. I guess that is my trip report.
We'd heard about SPI and, during a trip to New Orleans, decided it might be worth the drive as it was a bit out of the way on our Interstate 10 trip back to the greater Phoenix area. We were driving a Ford Explorer and was not a 4-wheel drive vehicle and I was a bit worried about getting stuck driving up the beach in search of the 'nude log'. My worries were for naught as the wet sand provided plenty of support and traction. At first, the wifey wanted to put her towel down back in the sand dunes (probably a good 50 to 75 yards from the water) but after laying out there for a short while she changed her mind as there was not much of a breeze and it was rather warm (early part of Sept). Moved her stuff down near the beach pretty close to where we parked our vehicle. Stayed there enjoying the relative solitude for about 4 or 5 hours. Saw a few other sunbathers but well out of shouting distance. I strolled up and down the beach during this time as I get bored laying out. Had a few vehicles come and go, but nothing overwhelming or bothersome. It was invigorating, enjoyable, stimulating and just plain fun. Would do it again if we lived closer.
