By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PARADE
South Padre Island visitors looking for a new way to experience the coast can see the island from above with SPI Helicopters, a local tour company offering aerial sightseeing flights, specialty packages and coastal views of the Texas Gulf Coast.
Located at 23290 State Park Road 100 on South Padre Island, SPI Helicopters offers tours daily from 10 a.m. until sunset. Tour options range from brief sightseeing flights to longer routes designed for guests who want more time in the air. Depending on the package, riders may see the shoreline, Gulf waters, coastal wildlife areas and other South Padre Island landmarks.
For guests wanting a short introduction, “The Quick One” offers a 5-mile ride and starts at $39 per person. Another option, “Fly the Beach,” is a 10-mile flight over South Padre Island, including views over The Shores. That tour starts at $69 per person.
Guests who want a broader look at the island can choose “All of Padre,” a 25-mile tour that travels along the coastline of South Padre Island. The package starts at $139 per person.
One of the company’s most popular options is the “SpaceX Fly By,” a 40-mile helicopter ride offering aerial views of South Padre Island and the SpaceX Starbase area. The tour starts at $249 per person. For riders wanting an extended experience, the “Rockets & Battleships” tour covers 55 miles and includes views of the Port of Brownsville’s battleship graveyard, South Padre Island and SpaceX. That tour starts at $349 per person.
SPI Helicopters also offers ways to personalize the experience beyond its standard tour routes. Private and customized flights are available for proposals, photography sessions, special celebrations and other memorable occasions. The “Marry Me Proposal” package includes a full island tour and a fly-by over “MARRY ME” letters on the beach. The company also offers gender reveal flights, using eco-friendly ColorBlaze powder released from the helicopter at a beach location selected by the customer. Gender reveal flights start at $599 per flight. Gift cards are also available for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries or anyone wanting to give the experience of an island adventure from above.
The tours are presented as family-friendly, with experienced pilots leading each flight. The company notes that its pilots bring extensive flight time and local knowledge to the experience, helping guests feel comfortable while learning more about the island from above. Passengers receive safety instructions before the flight, and riders are reminded to secure loose items, keep seatbelts fastened until instructed otherwise, and avoid food, drinks and smoking during the flight experience.
Tour lengths vary by package and conditions. Weather and airspace conditions may affect scheduled flights, with rescheduling options or applicable refunds offered when available. Guests are also welcome to bring cameras and smartphones, making the ride part sightseeing tour and part photo opportunity.
Customer comments shared on the company’s Facebook page describe the experience as memorable. One guest wrote, “Today is my wife’s birthday and we absolutely had a blast.” Another called it an “Excellent experience,” adding, “Great staff and the views were amazing! Highly recommend doing this!”
With tour options ranging from five miles to 55 miles, SPI Helicopters gives locals and visitors another way to experience South Padre Island, whether they are celebrating a special occasion, entertaining out-of-town guests or simply looking for a new view of the coast.
For more information, visit www.spihelicopters.com or call 956-596-0915.