Port of Brownsville Nature Tour

4.8 (213 Viator reviews) 5 hrs South Padre Island area

Ship Docked in the Port
Port of Brownsville
Port of Brownsville Ship Channel
Fresh Gulf Shrimp
Drilling Rig

Photos: Viator · 7 more on Viator

About this activity

The Port of Brownsville Tour is a 5-hour narrated cruise from South Padre Island across the Laguna Madre Bay and traveling down the Brownsville Ship Channel. Along the way you will see our native Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins and migratory birds. You will learn about South Texas shrimping industry and their fleets, as you enjoy a taste of our local shrimp. You will hear a little history of the area, see decommissioned vessels being dismantled from the top down, oil rigs being built and repaired, and the Port where shipping vessels from around the world load and unload commodities. Upon your return you will see SpaceX launching site off in the distance. Our Captain and Crew make this an enjoyable and educational tour worth your time. Welcome aboard!

Itinerary

  1. South Padre Island · pass by

    LAGUNA MADRE BAY is located between the South Texas coast and Padre Island from Corpus Christi south to South Padre Island, TX. One of the Earth’s 6 hypersaline lagoons, where the salinity is above sea water. It has one of the most unspoiled and protected Eco systems in Texas and the U.S.

  2. Brownsville · pass by

    BROWNSVILLE/PORT ISABEL SHRIMP BASIN is one of the largest fleets of Shrimp Boats in Texas. This location was established in 1953. KEPPEL AMFELS was established in 1990. They are in the business of construction, refurbishment, conversion and life extension and repair of a complete range of mobile drilling rigs and platforms. PORT OF BROWNSVILLE is the only deep-water port located on the U.S.-Mexico Border, with approximately 40,000 acres of land, 17 miles of waterfront, access and direct route to international bridge crossings and rail connections.

  3. Stop 3 · pass by

    SPACEX Launch Facility (Starbase) is Elon Musk’s private test launch and rocket production site. This location was chosen primarily for its proximity to the equator where Earth’s higher rotational speed means rockets need less propellant to reach orbit.

What's included

  • You may bring your own cooler with any drinks or snacks you may like
  • Coffee, donuts & small shrimp cocktail during the tour

Meeting point

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

We are located approximately 3/4 mile south of the Queen Isabella Causeway in the Sea Ranch Marina. Turn right into the Sea Ranch Marina and yield right of the Sea Ranch Restaurant. We are behind the restaurant. Look for the Texas Flags. Your boat is the Murphy's Law

End point: We are located approximately 3/4 mile south of the Queen Isabella Causeway in the Sea Ranch Marina. Turn right into the Sea Ranch Marina and yield right of the Sea Ranch Restaurant. We are behind the restaurant. Look for the Texas Flags. Your boat is the Murphy's Law

Good to know

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Upon arrival please request wheelchair assistance. Crew will be glad to assist in boarding the boat.
  • You are welcome to bring a cooler with your own food and drinks. Please no glass containers.

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

4.8/5

213 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor

  • 5 star183
  • 4 star19
  • 3 star6
  • 2 star1
  • 1 star4

Read the reviews on Viator

Campgrounds near this activity

RV rentals near this activity

1 RV rental with pickup within 25 miles of the center of South Padre Island; showing the top 1.

See all RV rentals near South Padre Island · RV rentals in Corpus Christi

Distances are straight-line from the activity's center of South Padre Island (Viator lists this tour under South Padre Island; it has no meeting-point coordinates).