South Padre Island Vacation Tips

South Padre Island is known for many things: beautiful beaches, a temperate climate, a good breeze, and great tasting shrimp. Unfortunately, it is also know for having jelly fish and Portuguese man-of-war. These pesky aquatic animals can put a damper on your vacation if you happen to step on or come into contact with one. Here, are our tips on how to avoid these pests:

1. Purchase swim shoe gear. By having on some type of swim shoe gear, you reduce the risk of getting stung if you step on a jelly fish. Also, these shoes are great for protecting your feet from sharp rocks, shells, glass, or anything else that you might come across on the shores and beaches.

2. Respect the blue advisory flag. If you see the blue advisory flag up, this means there is a high number of jellyfish in the surf. In these situations, it is best to avoid going into the surf and water.

3. Look before you walk. Be sure to periodically look in front of where you are walking along the beach to make sure a jellyfish has not washed up on shore. Just a casual glance every 5 to 10 yards could save you from getting stung.

4. Avoid Late Summer. Although you can see jellyfish year round at South Padre Island, you have a better chance of missing them if you go on vacation during a time other than the late summer (August and September).

5. Know Thy Enemy. The Portuguese man of war has a bluish tent in a transparent body that includes tentacles. Picture a small transparent squid with a bluish tent and you will be in the ballpark. By knowing what is a jellyfish, you are less likely to accidentally touch it or step on it. Be sure to warn any children to avoid touching this pest.

If you happen to get stung by a jellyfish, it can be quite a painful experience. Some people have described it like having boiling hot water poured on you continuously. To help combat the possible pain of a jellyfish sting, it pays to follow a few basic tips:

Purchase supplies in advance. Assume that you will be stung by a jellyfish and purchase a few supplies to help treat it. This will enable you to directly treat the person without scurrying around trying to figure out what to do. Appropriate supplies should include (1) either baking soda, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, unseasoned meat tenderizer, (2) a pair of needle nose pliers or forceps, and (3) a bottle of hydrocortisone cream. All these supplies can be purchased at South Padre Island’s only grocery store if you forget to bring them with you.
Treatment Supplies.
1. Rinse the wound with salt water. Avoid rubbing the wound with sand or rinsing with fresh water as these can stimulate a release of toxins.
2. Soak skin for 15 minutes. Soak the skin for 15 minutes with either baking soda, rubbing alcohol, or a combination of vinegar and meat tenderizer. Avoid rubbing the skin or putting ice on the wound.
3. Remove any jellyfish tentacles from the wound. Gloves should be used and some basic needle nose pliers can be used to pull out the tentacles.
4. Put on a hydrocortisone cream. This should be applied 1 to 2 times a day. This will help prevent later itching.

Regardless of whether you get stung by a jellyfish or not, you should try to keep this from letting it ruin your vacation. If you do get stung, be sure to adjust your activities to other events such as going to museums, shopping or visiting the nature center. Basically, I am saying do your best to not let the sting force you to be holed up in your room all day and avoid fun beach activities.