Situated at the eastern tip of Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, South Padre Island is one of the premier coastal resort destinations in the United States. It is bordered by Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico and is connected to the mainland by the Queen Isabella Causeway. South Padre Island is an excellent place for deep-sea fishing, beautiful beaches, and a wide range of adventure and recreational activities. It is one of the least developed and longest barrier islands in the world. Also, it is a popular destination for college spring breaks. Every year, thousands of students and vacationers visit South Padre Island.

South Padre Island is named after a Catholic priest and settler named Father Padre Balli. The population is about 3,000 and the total land area is 4.9 km