Wave — Local services in South Padre Island

If you only do one souvenir / t-shirt shop on SPI, I recommend this one, hands down.

We absolutely lucked into this place being the nearest surf/souvenir/t-shirt shop -- I remembered these type of shops when I was a kid, and I remember them all having the same cheap stuff, so I was really surprised by the quality of items at Beach Wave.

First off, they do their own printing / transfers, with hundreds of designs: tie-dye, dark letter, light lettering, multiple colors, and lots of smaller designs to also put a design on the outside shoulder, etc. We probably made 12 custom shirts at least.

Secondly, and as important as their selection for designs, is the quality and selection options for t-shirts onto which you can get the design of your choice. There are of course the basic shirts, which are high-quality, with sizes up to 4XXXL, and probably 15 color choices. But they also have really quality brands that you can choose to get printing on -- Banana Boat rash guards with SPF 50, US Vintage brand with some really nice sandwashed / thin options and some heavier weight cotton items, and some of highest quality hoodies I've ever bought (and I am a hoodie snob)! They have hand-tie-dyed sweatshirts that are soft and dreamily oversized, tank tops, lycra/cotton waffle knit hoodies, and this other stretch fleece hoodie that we probably bought 4 of, some of which we got printed and some of which had really high-quality stitching of S Padre Island on them.

Their other clothing offerings were so well thought out as well - I impulse bought this little flowy bias-cut dress with ties that turned out to be what I wore almost every time we went out to dinner, it just looked so cute on! They had dress-up dresses and casual pajama sets, plus a really great selection of shoes. And TONS of board shorts for my son.

They had big beach bags, boogie boards, and the really high quality Panama Jack sunscreen spray for when we inevitably ran out of what we brought with us.

Their jewelry selection was great for a shop their size - I didn't do the build your own anklet/bracelet, but those looked like high quality pearl choices.

The best part about the shop was how helpful and sweet the entire staff was! They were genuinely interested in helping make sure our t-shirts came out great, and let us know if the design we liked wasn't going to come out great on the shirt we'd picked, or if the design was going to be a subtle contrast. We had SO MUCH FUN making shirts there! I felt like a real designer, picking out a design with a lot of pastels that was just contrasting enough with the pastel tie-dye sweatshirt, and then a shoulder patch to go with it. I will treasure these shirts and rash guards forever, because this store was such a huge part in the fun we had on the island for our last...

I was in on July 21st and was tremendously displeased with this store. I found a couple of shirts within my price range to purchase, nowhere on the tag did it say the print would be an extra $6!! Personally I would've rather just have gotten the t shirt, but I didnt know until one of the extremely rude employees finished my transaction and handed me the receipt with and extra $12 tacked onto it!!! All the womens clothing must be made for juniors or hell, even kids. I am an XS or S usually, and I had to try on sizes large or extra large just to get anything over my head! This store is ridiculous, nothing fits, and they have tacked on fees that you wont know until he's handing you back...

There is an older lady working there that is just offensive! We walked out and will never go back. Seriously. She called me fat and tried to show me plus sized clothing...announced it for all to hear...and I'm wearing a size 12 romper because it's loose on my sunburn. Held out a poncho looking thing and said this might fit you. I never asked for her help! I only came in to look at swimsuits for my teen daughters. So ...if you see an old lady with long wavy hair, jeans, loose arm skin, and back fat, just know she'll insult you if given the chance. Save yourself the trouble. Go...