Last Updated on 23 July, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

With Starbase just to the south, space seems to be within reach around South Padre Island Beach. Strange happenings occur around the ocean, and when a UFO-like object washed up on shore in 2003, it just confirmed that there are bizarre things happening!

The South Padre Island Beach UFO can be accessed by walking, driving, or riding a horse along the beach. It’s located approximately 6 miles north of beach access #6. This escape pod vessel is uniquely shaped like a classic alien ship and has captured the imagination of beachgoers for years.

This article will dive into how to see this captivating vessel and a little history on how it ended up on South Padre Island Beach.

Is It Really A UFO?

As much as it appears to be an alien spacecraft, the true nature of this circular object is a bit more mundane. The South Padre Island (SPI) UFO is an oil rig escape pod, which is used during emergencies to evacuate crews.

The pod is constructed of fiberglass-reinforced plastic and uses fire-retardant vinyl ester resin throughout the pod in case of a fire or explosion on the rig. This combination of materials also protects against chemical exposure, keeping its terrestrial occupants nice and safe in case of an emergency.

The escape pod is also self-bouyant, meaning no matter how it ends up in the water, it will right itself so that its passengers are right-side-up.

Where Did It Come From?

The actual landing date of the SPI UFO has conflicting reports. Some sources say it washed ashore as early as 2003, while others claim it was 2004. Still, others say it washed up after Hurricane Katrina.

Most reports agree that the escape pod landed on South Padre Island Beach around 2003 and was discovered by a man named Tommy Saenz, also known as Tiki Tommy. Tiki Tommy was a local who reported the beach conditions each day on his Facebook Page.

It’s unclear exactly where the escape pod came from. An offshore oil rig, a capsized ship, or maybe even space! No company, entity, or ship has claimed it.

How To See The SPI UFO

There are a few ways to see the South Padre Island Beach UFO. If you have the right vehicle, you can drive right up to it. Otherwise, you’ll need to rely on your legs or a trusty horse to see this spectacular piece of beach art.

And it really is a piece of art nowadays! Once a plain orange escape vessel, the SPI UFO has now transformed into a graffiti masterpiece, with aluminum cans, bottle caps, stickers, and seashells glued to the side.

By Vehicle (12 Miles Round-Trip)

The fastest way to see the South Padre Island Beach UFO is to drive. However, not all vehicles are meant to drive on sand! Four Wheel Drive, high-clearance vehicles are always recommended when driving on the beach.

Here’s how to see the SPI UFO by vehicle:

1. Access: Get on the beach via beach access #6 (Map Directions)
2. Pay the fee: It costs $12 to drive on the beach at South Padre Island. Fees are paid at the beach access points.
3. Tire Pressure: Lower your vehicle’s tire pressure to approximately 20PSI
4. The Ride: Drive north (turn left if facing the water) for approximately 6 miles.
5. See a UFO: Park your vehicle out of the driving lane and walk up to the UFO (GPS coordinates: 26°17’35.8″N 97°11’43.0″ W).

Rhino USA makes a fantastic little tool, the 60 PSI Tire Deflator Gauge, which combines a deflator with a tire pressure gauge to give you an accurate reading while lowering the PSI of your vehicle’s tires. It can lower to between 6 and 30 PSI, perfect for driving on the beach.

It’s also a good idea to invest in some recovery gear if you decide to drive on South Padre Island Beach. Cell reception is spotty, so being able to self-recover is essential! Pack some extra water, food, and gas as a backup.

By Foot (7.6 Miles Round-Trip)

This is the route we went because we didn’t have a vehicle capable of driving on the sand. Our big red campervan would have sunk into the beach and become the next local piece of art!. So, we decided to strap on our hiking shoes and walk down the beach to see the SPI UFO.

Luckily, you don’t have to walk 12 miles round-trip to see the UFO. Instead, you can drive down State Park Road 100 (Ocean Boulevard or Padre Boulevard) and park where the road ends to start the hike.

Here’s how to see the SPI UFO on foot:

1. Getting on the Right Road: Jump on Padre Boulevard (also known as Ocean Boulevard and State Park Road 100). This is the main drag on South Padre Island.
2. Driving: Drive north until you hit the end of the road. Sand dunes line either side of the road and occasionally obscure the road, but 2-wheel drive vehicles can make it down this road (we did!).
3. Parking: Park at the end of the road and walk toward the water.
4. The Hike: Hike north (turn left if facing the water) for approximately 3.3 miles.
5. The UFO: The UFO is very obvious and marked on Google Maps (GPS coordinates: 26°17’35.8″N 97°11’43.0″ W).
6. Return Journey: Hike back approximately 3.3 miles to your parked car.

I highly recommend wearing hiking shoes or boots. Walking over 7 miles round-trip in flip-flops or bare feet is much harder than it sounds.

When we hiked to the UFO, we totaled 7.64 miles with a minimal elevation gain of 65 feet. It took us about 2.5 hours, which included stopping at the UFO, taking pictures, and eating a sandwich before heading back.

Check out our day hiking gear list to ensure you have everything you need to hike to the South Padre Island Beach UFO!

By Horse (7.6 Miles Round-Trip)

The final option to see the SPI UFO is to ride a horse on the beach down to the escape vessel. A few places offer horseback riding, such as South Padre Island Adventure Park, but these rides typically don’t offer the UFO as a destination.

Instead, this option is really only open to people who own horses and can trailer them to the beach.

Here’s how to see the SPI UFO by horse:

1. Ocean Boulevard: Drive down Ocean Boulevard until you reach the end of the road.
2. Parking: Park anywhere on the side of the road where a spot is available.
3. Beach Access: Unload and prepare your horse. Head toward the water by walking over the dunes.
4. Ride: Ride north (turn left if facing the water) for approximately 3.3 miles.
5. See the UFO: The UFO is obvious a little way up from the water. (GPS coordinates: 26°17’35.8″N 97°11’43.0″ W).
6. Ride Back: Return the same way to your vehicle and trailer.

Horseback riding on South Padre Island Beach is an adventure all on its own. Unlike tourist destinations, much of SPI Beach is open and uncrowded. Enjoy the tranquil sounds of the warm Gulf waters lapping against the shore while you and your trusty pal explore together.

Things To Consider When Visiting The SPI UFO

While there may not be anything extraterrestrial about the South Padre Island Beach UFO, there are still some things to be aware of before heading out to see this unique piece of beach art.

Rattlesnakes

In the summer, rattlesnakes can be found in and around the SPI UFO. The area around the escape pod has been dug out, offering a perfect haven for rattlesnakes on hot summer days. Tread lightly and listen for any warning signs from these rattling critters.

Check out our guide on what to do if you see a snake for more information about how to handle spotting a danger noodle near the UFO.

Clothing Optional

The SPI UFO is located on UFO Beach, a clothing-optional beach. Be aware that you may see some people walking around with nothing on but their birthday suits! We didn’t see this when we went, but we also went in January when it was quite chilly.

Tides

South Padre Island Beach typically experiences two high tides and two low tides per day. The tides aren’t as important if you are hiking on foot or riding a horse. 

However, if driving, it’s very important to keep an eye on the tides, as they have the potential to reach all the way to the dunes during storms.

You can check out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) tide predictions to see when high and low tide will be, and the approximate height of each tide.

Pets

We are the Dirtbags with Furbags, after all, so we have to include a section on bringing your furry friends with you on this adventure!

Pets are allowed on South Padre Island Beach and can definitely come on the adventure to see the SPI UFO.

In spring and summer, nesting sea turtles may be vulnerable to curious and overexcited dogs. During these times, it’s always recommended to keep your pup on a leash to protect these endangered and threatened animals, as well as their hatchlings.

Additionally, be careful around the escape pod, as rattlesnakes can be present and may not take kindly to your curious pup. You can read about the 7 steps to take for a dog bitten by a snake to make sure you know what to do if your pal interacts with a snake, venomous or not.

South Padre Island Beach UFO: Wrap-Up Session

It’s not every day you get to walk, ride, or drive up to an alien spacecraft on the beach! Well, maybe it’s not an extraterrestrial ship, but it certainly sparks the imagination and makes for an interesting destination on South Padre Island.

To recap, you can reach the SPI UFO via three options:

1. Drive: This is the easiest option if you have the vehicle for it and involves approximately 12 miles of beach driving.
2. Walk: An approximately 7.6-mile hike.
3. Ride: If you have a horse, you can ride it down the beach to the escape pod.

Remember that rattlesnakes may be present in the summer and that UFO Beach is clothing-optional. Keep an eye on the tides and pack recovery gear in case your vehicle gets stuck in the sand.

Until next time, give your furbags an extra pet from us and keep exploring this beautiful world! For more travel destinations and tips, check out the Dirtbags with Furbags blog!