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Southern Secluded Isles: 11 Sun-Drenched Spots to Soothe Your Soul
by Carrie Miner
 South Padre Island
For fishing fun on the Gulf of Mexico, consider spending the weekend at South Padre Island. Known as the “Jewel of the Third Coast,” South Padre Island is ranked as one of the top ten beaches in the world and as one of the nation’s top 20 fishing destinations.
This tropical tip of Texas features 34 miles of white sand beach and is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the east and by the Laguna Madre Bay to the west. To reach this beach destination, located on the tip of the longest barrier island in the United States, you can put down at Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport [BRO].
Water sports lead the attractions at this water wonderland. More than 60 charter companies vie to take anglers out on the Gulf of Mexico where more than 600 species of fish swim in the turquoise waters. By casting a line you may reel in the most commonly caught fish such as black drum, spotted sea trout and southern flounder in the Bay or red snapper, king mackerel and pompano in the Gulf.
Another option is to catch a few waves windsurfing or kiteboarding. Other ways to get wet include waterskiing, parasailing and kayaking. Bird watching on the Laguna Madre nature trail, horseback riding along the beach, a visit to the Point Isabel Lighthouse Complex, a shopping trip to Mexico and spectacular sunsets over the bay will top off a trip to this pristine southern playground.
Sea Island
At the Golden Isles, a chain of nine barrier islands off Georgia’s southern coast, old-fashioned southern hospitality lives on. One of the most elite of the islands is Sea Island, which is accessed by Malcom McKinnon Airport [SSI] and is linked to St. Simons by causeway.
The Cloister, an internationally renowned resort since the late 1920s, features idyllic family-centered lifestyles and a classic sporting tradition. Another lodging option here are the seaside cottages, which remain a treasured tradition for family gatherings.
For more than 75 years Sea Island has been synonymous with southern sophistication. Ranked as one of the leading golf resorts in the nation, Sea Island offers three legendary 18-hole championship golf courses. In addition to golfing, other favorite sporting pastimes at Sea Island include tennis, shooting skeet and trap, horseback riding, waterway excursions, kayaking, biking, nature tours and offshore and coastal fishing charters. Other relaxed amenities include five miles of private shoreline, dancing, bridge, live music, shopping and fine dining.
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