By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
South Padre Island visitors looking for an evening on the water can enjoy dinner, music and bayfront views aboard the Southern Wave Catamaran, with fireworks cruises adding another option during the summer season.
Celebrating 20 years in business, Southern Wave is a family-owned cruise service that has operated on South Padre Island since 2006. The company offers several excursions from the Laguna Madre side of the island, including coastal grill cruises, sunset dinner cruises, fireworks dinner cruises, private charters and seasonal snorkeling trips. During the summer season, the Firework Dinner Cruise is available on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Southern Wave is owned and operated by Faustino and Daniela Camacho, both Port Isabel natives. Faustino Camacho has been a licensed captain since age 18 and has held his captain’s license for 19 years.
The dinner cruise is designed as a relaxed, open-air evening rather than a traditional restaurant experience. Guests board the catamaran and cruise along the bayfront while taking in views of the water, shoreline and sunset. On fireworks nights, passengers can watch the display from the Laguna Madre, giving them a different view than they would have from shore.
Southern Wave’s current public dock location is 205 W. Palm Street, at LongBoard Bar and Grill. Guests should confirm the boarding location when reserving, as marina and dock arrangements can change. The cruise is BYOB, with bottled water and soft drinks provided. Live music is included as part of the evening cruise experience. Prices start at $75 per guest however guests should confirm current pricing, departure times and availability when booking.
The food is part of the experience. Dinner cruise options include grilled shrimp, beef and chicken fajitas, zucchini squash with grilled sausage, grilled fish and fresh fruit among the meal offerings. The menu gives guests a casual island-style dinner while they enjoy the movement of the bay and the scenery around them.
The fireworks schedule is especially appealing during the summer season, when South Padre Island offers several fireworks viewing opportunities. Current island event information includes Friday fireworks at LongBoard Bar and Grill at 9:20 p.m. Summer fireworks are also scheduled at Louie’s Backyard on Tuesdays and Fridays during June and July at 9:15 p.m., and Fridays in August at 9:15 p.m. Holiday shows are scheduled for July 4 and Sept. 6, with additional shows at the Entertainment District, Isla Grand and Clayton’s Beach Bar and Grill. Schedules are subject to change so guests should confirm times before visiting.
Southern Wave’s Firework Dinner Cruise gives guests a way to enjoy the island’s evening lights from the water when cruise times and fireworks schedules align. Because weather, cruise schedules and fireworks times can change, guests should check details before making plans.
Private charters are also available for those planning a larger gathering. Southern Wave offers private options for celebrations, including birthdays, family events, weddings, corporate outings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and other special occasions. Private charters give groups a way to gather on the water with the same island backdrop that makes the public dinner cruises popular with visitors.
Local resident Dylan Santiso said he enjoyed the experience.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it,” Santiso said. “I thought it was a great time.”
For locals, the cruise offers another way to see the island from the bay. For visitors, it can serve as a memorable vacation outing that brings together several South Padre Island favorites in one evening: water, sunset, food, live music and fireworks.
Southern Wave can be reached at 956-772-7245. More information is available through the company’s website at southern-wave.com.