When you think of the Caribbean, there are likely a few things that come to mind. Crystal clear blue waters, powder soft sand, and year-round warm temperatures, to name just a few. While those characteristics may be synonymous with tropical destinations like the Turks and Caicos or the Bahamas, the U.S. has a few places that offer a similar experience—and one of them has even earned the moniker the “Caribbean of Texas.”
Located on the Southern tip of the Lone Star State, South Padre Island is frequently touted as one of the best beach towns in Texas and one of the best islands in the South. Although spring breakers do descend on the 34-mile-long coastal paradise in March, the rest of the year boasts a relatively relaxed atmosphere.
The Laguna Madre borders the inland side of South Padre Island, but the Caribbean parallel stems from the body of water to the west. The warm, blue-green water and the pristine white beaches of the Gulf are what create South Padre Island’s Caribbean comparison. (Notably, the aforementioned nickname is sometimes applied to North Padre Island, but the waters of South Padre Island tend to be clearer and calmer.) Not to mention, temperatures average around 74 degrees 12 months a year.