Page 46 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2024-2025 of the many water birds that live in the area. Located at 7300 N. Padre Blvd., about 5 ½ miles from the Queen Isabella Causeway, the park is open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the entrance fee is $12 per car. For information call (956) 761-3704. Sea Turtle Inc. Dive into the world of marine conservation at Sea Turtle Inc. Immerse yourself in scientific discovery and visit rescued sea turtle patients in the world’s largest indoor sea turtle hospital which opened in 2024! Nestled in the heart of South Padre Island with over 47 years in operation, Sea Turtle Inc. has an incredibly rich history and plenty of tales to tell. See what it’s like to save thousands of sea turtles from environmental emergencies and explore our full-time sea turtle residents to connect with their unique stories. Dive deeper into the fascinating world of marine life through our visitor experience, which includes interactive exhibits, engaging presentations, peek inside a sea turtle surgical suite, and watch the world’s only fully dedicated sea turtle CT machine and a fully functioning hospital — there’s something for every curious mind and nature enthusiast. Located at 6617 Padre Blvd., hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended summertime hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (956) 761-4511 or go to www.seaturtleinc. org to plan your ultimate sea turtle experience! If you see injured or nesting sea turtles, please call (956) 243-4361 immediately. 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 daily, 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. There are also multiple banquet facilities for weddings, receptions, meetings and quinceaneras. The park is located at 33261 State Park Rd. 100, in 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.beachparktx.com. Call (956) 772-SURF (7873) or visit www. beachparktx.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 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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