South Padre Island, on the tip of tropical Texas, was a quiet fishing village until college students on spring break discovered it. Now it's a popular year-round tourist destination, with beaches among the top 10 in the United States.

Between the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre Bay, there's nowhere on the island that you can't find a beach warmed by the Gulf stream, and no time you won't find something to do. Aside from soaking up the sun, you can swim, boogie board, kiteboard, rent a jetski, or learn to surf at Isla Blanca Park, with its gentle waves for the beginner. The island is a 30+ mile long barrier reef, so the snorkeling is fantastic. You can even watch dolphins playing in the surf.

If you want to get out to sea, rent a boat and go fishing. Most of the beach-side restaurants will cook your catch for you. You can also rent horses and ride on some of the beaches. On the beaches, a popular activity is building sand castles. We're not talking the bucket and shovel kind of sandcastles; there are professional teachers here who'll help you make a work of art. Beach volleyball is another event you'll find all along the beaches. Want a nice walk? The Laguna Madre Nature trail is a 1500 foot boardwalk that extends across four acres of the bay, and lets you see the wild birds up close and personal.

Should you get tired of South Padre Island, you're just 10 miles from the Mexican border. You can take a tour bus, or head off with friends and stay the night. Remember, you need a passport for Mexico.

When you're headed to the beach, show off some skin in this bikini from Lost. The Heart pattern halter top and side-tying hankie bottom are great beachwear. This Maui Beach tote from The Sak has plenty of pockets for everything you need, and comes with its own coin purse. Keep your feet comfy in these Cool Flip-Flops from Haviana. Whatever you choose to do, you'll enjoy your stay at South Padre.

South Padre Island, Texas has a large variety of outdoor events and activities to participate in. One of the most popular is windsurfing. Kiteboarding is common as well. Located in the Gulf Coast, South Padre Island catches the perfect wind and waves for both windsurfing and kiteboarding. Perhaps you would like to (or have always wanted to) view the shoreline from the ocean, instead of the other way around. This is a unique way to do so, while also getting in some fun and exercise.

From novice to expert, windsurfing and kiteboarding events and activities can be enjoyed by all. Some locations rent equipment, but others require that you bring your own. Novices may prefer to take instructional classes on their activity of choice before braving the waves. While many can easily learn this water sport, it's wise to learn proper safety procedures and knowledge from expert windsurfers and kiteboarders.

Surfing and kiteboarding can be quite fun, but they can also be dangerous. It's easy to drift away. Just like boating and other water activities, this is not a solo activity. Safety comes in numbers. This is by no means a complete safety guide. Always be sure to abide by local rules and guidelines. Each area has a set of safety guidelines that apply, so be sure to check before heading out into the surf.

Some gear that is required for safety and use of windsurfing and kiteboarding equipment includes a wetsuit, a VHF radio to contact the Coast Guard if needed, flares, and a plastic whistle. Also essential are a towcord, uphaul, board or mast leash, properly-sized floatation device for each person, and a strobe light. These items will not only help in navigation, but some will aid in the case of an emergency.

Don't forget to also check the weather. This area of Texas stays fairly warm most of the time, but is also prone to high winds, thunderstorms, and even hurricanes. When the weather is right, you can get the chance to feel that warm Texas breeze across your face in a whole new way. The spray and smell of the ocean surf adds to the beautiful scenery and excitement.

Sources:
http://www.sfba.org/safety.html
http://www.sfba.org/kitesafety.html

With a gloomy economic outlook and tax season right around the corner, fewer Americans - college students or not - are mapping out their course for SpringBreak travels in 2009. Popular Spring Break destinations including Jamaica, the Bahamas and Acapulco will still be filling up with revelers shaking off the winter season, but many travelers are setting their sights on other locations thanks to attractive fare prices this year.

The fareologists at Farecast.com, a travel search engine that monitors prices for airlines, hotels and packages around the country, suggest that weak consumer demand, lower oil prices and an increasing need for airlines to boost capacity rates will make it easier to snag a great bargain on travel this year.

So where should we go to bid adieu to winter? Here are a few affordable Spring Break 2009 destinations that might offer some guilt-free fun in the sun:

Spring Break 2009 Destination: South Padre Island
Spring Break tour operators such as Inertia Tours are offering complete South Padre 'drive down' deals for 7-8 people at just $300 for 7 nights. This package price includes a stay in a resort condo, meals and tickets to special events. Other options include condo and meal packages and VIP packages for students.

Myrtle Beach for Spring Break 2009
Tickets to South Carolina give you options to enjoy beautiful Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach for some fun in the sun and sand. You can look forward to highs in the 70s and your choices of water sports and boating events throughout the season. Travel sites such as Hotwire.com offer last-minute rates on hotels and flights to Myrtle Beach and the surrounding area, which means you could get a deal at up to 70 percent off regular rates.

South France for Spring Break 2009
According to Atle Skalleberg of StudentUniverse.com, many travelers are setting their sights on Europe with the recent price drops in airfare. Head to the south of France for your fair share of European beaches and sunshine; La Rochelle and Montpellier are a few beautiful cities that are ripe for exploring this Spring break season.

*Spring Break 2009 Destination: Dominican Republi*c
Skip Mexico altogether and head further south for Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. This family-friendly spot is home to dozens of resorts and miles of white sandy beaches, so you can get your fill of an exotic escape. This year's prices to South America are also dropping, which means there's still time to score tickets for the entire traveling party at an affordable price.

Spring Break 2009 Destination: Mexico
USA Today reports that a weak peso has made a trip to Central America that much more affordable. The peso lost almost 30 percent of its value in 2008, which means hotel rates and local tour packages dropped in price dramatically. There's still time to map out that trip to Cancun at the last minute without paying a hefty price.

Sources:
Associated Press
Farecast.com
USA Today
StudentUniverse.com