Beach Park at Isla Blanca (Formerly Schlitterbahn South Padre Island)

In late 2019, the water park formerly known as Schlitterbahn South Padre Island was renamed Beach Park at Isla Blanca. It had been part of a chain of Schlitterbahn water parks.

The Henrys, the family that developed the parks, sold two of its locations to Cedar Fair Entertainment, which operates many amusement parks/ and water parks, including Cedar Point in Ohio and Knott's Berry Farm in Southern California. The divested water parks, which will retain the Schlitterbahn name, are in Galveston, Texas and the original location in New Braunfels, Texas. The South Padre park will continue to be owned and operated by the Henrys, but it now bears the new name.

Beach Park at Isla Blanca includes both a 15-acre beachfront outdoor water park and a climate-controlled indoor water park tucked inside a hotel. Because of the indoor component, the resort is open year round (although it has a limited operating schedule in the colder months). With its retractable roof, the park can let the sunshine in, weather permitting. Hotel guests have special access to the outdoor water park. The hotel offers 221 rooms.

The park has a unique way of handling lines, one of the banes of water parks. Essentially, Schlitterbahn has eliminated most of the lines—or at least the waiting-on-dry-land-to-get-wet tedium of lines—by connecting many of the popular attractions to the Rio Aventura lazy river. Passengers float up to the water coasters and other attractions from the river and never leave their tubes or the water. When they finish one ride, they float to the next. It's a clever way to stay cool and engaged while enjoying the attractions.

Inner tubes, by the way, are included in the price of admission as is parking (many other parks charge for both). Also, Beach Park allows visitors to tote their own food into the park, which thrifty visitors might enjoy.

Slides and Rides at Beach Park at Isla Blanca

The outdoor park is loaded with all kinds of slides and rides, including the Gale Force, Tempest, Storm Chaser, and Sea Blaster quartet of uphill water coasters. Its Boogie Bahn FlowRider surfing attraction gives visitors the opportunity to ride waves in a controlled, fun environment. Likewise, although the ocean is a stone's throw away, the park's Rio Beach wave pool offers just-right surf to enjoy with or without tubes.

The indoor park offers Blackbeard's Twister and Lafitte's Cyclone, a pair of tube slides, the Pirates Cove interactive water play area, and the Mega Blast dry play area for kids.

What's to Eat?

Speaking of staying in the water to enjoy some fun, guests can sidle up to Bob's Float-In Bar and enjoy some libations. The park also offers Shrimp Haus, a full-service restaurant that offers seafood, steak, pizza, and other items.

Admission Info, Location, and Directions

One and two-day passes are available to the general public. Season passes and group rates are available. Admission to the water park is not included with hotel stays, but guests an purchase discounted tickets. Special packages are generally available that include overnight accommodations and park tickets.

The park and resort is located in South Padre Island, Texas. The physical address is 33261 State Park Road 100. From Brownsville: Take TX-4E, which turns into TX-48E. Turn onto TX-100E, right onto Padre Blvd., right onto Wallace L. Reed Rd., left into park. From Corpus Christi: I-37N to US-77S. Exit onto TX-100E and follow directions above.