Plan a VIP sandcastle-building day with tents, lunch, and prizes
Tents, tools, lunch
Bring your group to the beach in South Padre Island for a turnkey sandcastle-building day with American Champion Andy Hancock. Get hands-on instruction, beach setup, and food and drinks provided.
Requesting a different beach location has a $50 surcharge.
Cancel at least 14 days in advance to avoid a 25% charge.
Bring hats. The notes also recommend bringing drinking water and snacks for time in the sun.
No. Your VIP sandcastle-building day includes 2 tents, a large cooler, 4 chairs, plus buckets, shovels, and tools at no additional cost.
Yes. You can request the lesson on the beach outside your hotel or condo. A different location has a $50 surcharge.
Suntide III Condominiums 3000 gulf Blvd (access 9), South Padre Island, TX 78597
Andy Hancock is the kind of guide who turns a simple beach activity into one of the most talked-about moments of a family vacation. Reviewer after reviewer calls this the highlight of their trip to South Padre Island, with families building impressive six-foot sandcastles they never imagined possible. Andy weaves real science into the process, explaining structure, moisture, and balance in ways that click for kids and adults alike, all while keeping everyone laughing and engaged. What stands out across dozens of reviews is how naturally Andy connects with people of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents and even senior groups. He narrates stories while teaching, walks through details step by step, and brings tools that take your creation to another level. Several families mentioned returning year after year, which says a lot. If you're spending time on South Padre Island, this one is genuinely worth carving out a few hours for.
From start to finish this was the coolest, most detailed lesson! Kids 10 and 12 loved it. Both parents too! Andy os amazing and this is worth the cost! We had an unbelievable # of people stop and take pictures and ask about it as we were building! South Padre should promote this WAY more for all their tourists!
Heidi Stan
April 16, 2026
From start to finish this was the coolest, most detailed lesson! Kids 10 and 12 loved it. Both parents too! Andy os amazing and this is worth the cost! We had an unbelievable # of people stop and take pictures and ask about it as we were building! South Padre should promote this WAY more for all their tourists!
Heidi Stan
April 16, 2026