Is South Padre Island worth the drive to visit?

More specifically, how are the beaches? Like compared to other beaches in the country. Comparing it to Galveston is useless, as Galveston is IMO trash.

How does the beach / water compare to like southern florida, southern california, and the northeast (ie. the hamptons, cape, jers shore)

Just dont want to drive 4 hours to end up with meh brown water… when Florida is like a 2 hr flight

Thanks