Susan Brown
Gulf Coast to Golf Course
Port Isabel Area Guide
Port Isabel offers something for everyone, from pristine camping destinations alongside serene coastlines to invigorating strolls down the longest fishing pier in Texas. In Port Isabel, you can make friends with a Dolphin, enjoy world-championship shrimp dishes, visit legendary marinas and museums, or simply take an early evening stroll in the cool sea air. Port Isabel enjoys a prosperous local economy, incredibly storied local history, and proximity to the Laguna Madre’s world-class fishing flats!
History
Located in beautiful Cameron County, Texas, amongst rolling sand dunes and outstanding shorelines; Port Isabel is a beloved settlement with a proud heritage and diverse cultural make-up.
Originally settled toward the end of the 18th Century by settlers seeking clean water and the area’s abundant resources, the Laguna Vista territory was originally prized for its temperate climates, amazing aquatic features, and impressive agricultural yields.
In 1828, years after becoming a frequented summer resort, the land was officially claimed by Rafael Garcia.
In the next several years, Port Isabel would develop into a community known as El Frontón de Santa Isabel, later shortened to Point Isabel in 1845.
By 1850, Port Isabel had become the second largest town in the area thanks to its enormous annual export of cash crops such as cotton. Around this time, the famed Port Isabel Lighthouse was constructed to serve as a lookout point.
In 1846, Port Isabel became an important military encampment in the skirmish between Texans and their foes in the Mexican War. This island port became an important trading and supply depot for the US Military and also served as temporary home for famous US figures such as Zachary Taylor, Robert E. Lee, William Sherman, Abner Doubleday, and James K. Polk.
Around the time of the Civil War, the south Texas port became known as a haven for blockade runners due to its proximity between both the United States and Mexico. Toward the end of the 19th Century, the Rio Grande Valley Railway would connect Port Isabel to nearby Brownsville, further bolstering local trade and development.
At the onset of the 20th Century, the town officially became Port Isabel before expanding through a series of channels, harbors, and area events.
Fishing has been a recreational and vocational mainstay of the Port Isabel area for hundreds of years, and prestigious fishing tournaments have been held since 1934.
In the intervening years, Port Isabel has become a major exporter of fine seafood including shrimp as well as a beloved tourist destination. The area is also known for a prolific petroleum industry.
Attractions and Activities
South Padre Island Golf Club
With every bend and dip of their pristine fairways, Landmark Land’s South Padre Island Golf Club demonstrates their reputation as one of the finest clubs in the Rio Grande Valley. Offering special vacation packages, membership benefits, and years of proven leadership and innovation, this outstanding recreational oasis nestled amongst naturalistic splendor has attracted enthusiasts from across the region for more than thirty-five years!
Treasures of the Gulf Museum
The artifacts and exhibits of this historical museum detail the fates of three Spanish ships to have wrecked just north of South Padre Island in the 16th Century. Mystery hovers over the waters of the Laguna Madre to this day, as only some of the artifacts, pieces of wreckage, and stores of treasure have been located or recovered. Survey coins, weapons, and other artifacts salvaged from this fascinating time period. The museum also features a replica ship for children to envision themselves aboard a Spanish galleon, sailing the open waters of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico!
317 E. Railroad Ave.
Port Isabel, TX 78578
Phone: (956) 943-7602
Black Dragon Cruises
Climb aboard the dreaded Spanish Galleon Black Dragon in pursuit of hidden treasure and bountiful plunder on this authentic twelve-knot cruise of the Laguna Madre fitted with realistic cannons! The Dragon’s crew of trained performers seeks to replicate 17th Century pirating expeditions of the seven seas aboard the fully operational galleon supporting four restaurants, shopping boutiques, and much more! The Black Dragon encircles the legendary Port Isabel lighthouse in addition to providing dolphin watching tours, fishing expeditions, and educational lessons on the area’s diverse marine biology. http://www.blackdragoncruises.com/
501 E Maxan St
Port Isabel, TX 78578
Phone: (956) 943-6283
Port Isabel Lighthouse
The iconic south Texas monument known as the Port Isabel Lighthouse has guided wayward sailors since its construction in the mid-19th Century and today serves as a communal meeting place fitted with legendary museums and attractions. Take a guided tour of this outstanding historic site, pace through the exhibits of two on-site museums, or catch a flick at the Lighthouse cinema! Of the original sixteen area lighthouses, this remains the only one open to the public, offering a fifty-foot perch perfect for photography, wedding vows, or the simple pleasure of soaking in scenic panoramic views. http://portisabellighthouse.com/lighthouse/
414 East Queen Isabella
Port Isabel, TX 78578-2411
Phone: (956) 943-9316
Port Isabel Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage
Located directly beneath the famous Port Isabel Lighthouse sits an exact replica of the Keeper’s Cottage, which serves as the operational headquarters of the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce as well as the area Visitor Center. More than an excellent place for insider information on the area’s plentiful attractions and activities, this cottage also serves as a fantastic place to soak in local history, view maritime displays, or take an active role in the area’s municipal planning.
421 Queen Isabella Blvd.
Port Isabel, TX 78578
Phone: (210) 943-2262
Dolphin Docks
Hop on a fishing charter and troll the legendary flats of the Laguna Madre with this esteemed crew of seasoned veterans while being ushered through South Texas’ pristine waterways by pods of leaping dolphins!
510 E Queen Isabella
Port Isabel, TX 78578-2414
Phone: (956) 943-3185
Parks and Recreation
Cameron County is arguably the fastest growing metropolitan area in Texas, and goes to great lengths to extend a warm welcome to both its seasonal visitors and permanent residents.
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
This dune-crested wildlife preserve rests at the southernmost tip of Texas giving credence to its reputation as the nation’s “last great habitat.” Temperate weather patterns overlap atop marshes, coastal prairies, beaches, and mudflats in this one-of-a-kind habitat populated by diverse swathes of mammalian, reptilian, and bird species. The refuge is also a fantastic place to view alligators, the endangered ocelot, and other exotic creatures from well-maintained trails or trams extending across the park.
22817 Ocelot Road
Los Fresnos, TX 78566
Port Isabel Park Center
http://www.campsouthtexas.com/portisabel
702 Champion Avenue, Port Isabel
Phone: (956) 943-7340
Tarpon RV Park & Marina
http://www.tarponrvpark.com/
226 Basin Street, Port Isabel
Phone: (956) 943-2040
Pelican Point Marina and RV Park
http://www.ppmrvp.com/
40 Tarpon Avenue, Port Isabel
Phone: (956) 943-6464
Sandpiper Trailer Park
1106 Texas 100, Port Isabel
Phone: (956) 943-1268
Laguna Seca Park
Camp the rolling hills of the Salinas Valley either on an RV or tent plot in a refined atmosphere just a short drive from the jutting Peninsula of the South Texas coast. The park also includes a gun range, pavilions, picnic tables, and gorgeous sprawling yards ideal for festivals, ceremonies, events, picnics, events, and much more!
1338 Texas 100, Laguna Vista
Phone: (956) 943-6578
Sea Garden Park
47975 Michigan Avenue, Laguna Heights
Phone: (956) 943-1831
Washington Park
Isla Blanca Park
Widely considered the crowned jewel of the immaculately maintained South Padre Island system, this one mile stretch of white sand beach offers a plethora of water front facilities, amenities, and opportunities including jetty fishing, surfing, boating, and swimming. Cameron County offers webcam views of the pristine beaches to allow guests to check conditions before visiting, and also includes the esteemed Las Cabanas residence cabins which feature air conditioning, ceiling fans, bunk beds, kitchens, and patios.
33174 State Park Road 100
South Padre Island
Phone: (956) 761-5494
Andy Bowie Park
This campsite located near the South Padre Convention center borders the Laguna Madre Nature Trail and offers camping, rental facilities, group rentals, private beaches, as well as horseback riding, beachfront access, and off road adventures! The bayside of the park offers water-front activities from fishing, to parasailing, to windsurfing.
7300 N. Padre
South Padre Island, TX 78597
Events
http://www.allacrosstexas.com/events/port-isabel-events.htm
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