I've been to the last 3 Starship Launches, it's only a 10 hour drive each way! I hope I'm able to go to everyone and to eventually see a booster catch in person. Everyday Astronaut did a great writeup on seeing a launch in South Texas: ▶ this video My preferred way is to get a hotel room on the south end of the island (Everyday Astronaut recommends Margaritaville and I agree). I woke up an hour before launch and walked a mile down the beach with my kids to Isla Blanca park. Coming from off island you'll have to leave much earlier because the bridge onto the island becomes a parking lot. Hearing protection is probably wise, but it's a different kind of "loud". You feel it in your chest. Looking at the distances you are much closer to a much bigger rocket in South Padre than in Florida. The most important thing is to get down at least a day early and drive over to the rocket. Starbase and the OLM are on a public road so you just pull over and look straight up at the world's biggest rocket. Also plan on being there a couple extra days to account for delays. Second most important thing is to go to Hopper Haus (Starbase themed bar/restaurant in Port Isabel). People always say to me they'd like to join, when's the next launch? Driving down there is a leap of faith since there is only an announcement 4-5 days out and the launch license sometimes isn't issued until the day before. So you have to be ready and have a flexible schedule.
in “Guide to attending a space launch in person” · View on HN