On the ‘mainland’ side of Texas at the foot of the bridge to South Padre Island lay Port Isabel, the beacon by the bay across from South Padre Island lay Port Isabel, Beacon by the Bay, is famous for tarpon fishing, pirates and battlefield history.  

Port Isabel is a Fisherman’s Paradise

Port Isabel is fisherman’s paradise and small port town and home of The Mighty Tarpon’s, where I graduated high school. Seriously thought, the tarpon is one of the highest prized fishing trophies because the tarpon is a challenge to catch, even for experienced anglers.  

The Beacon by the Bay of Port Isabel, being the gateway to the island, located on the Laguna Madre, has plenty of shorelines meaning copious inlet communities to consider and bayside home choices. Each of these have water access either on property or nearby. 

It is a town as a great place to raise a family; it is quiet, ideally located to hospitals and regional airfields in either Harlingen and Brownsville.

Hungry in Brownsville? Hit up El Rey Del Taco for awesome tacos. 

Port Isabel has an interesting history. From having harbored pirates long ago, Port Isabel is also the site of the Palo Alto battlefield, and Palmito Ranch battlefield, where the last battle of the Civil War occurred. 

Where to Eat in Port Isabel

Before taking the bridge to South Padre Island, Manuel’s near the lighthouse is worth visiting for gargantuan homemade tortillas served with a Mexican breakfast. For local art and souvenirs, Wendy Hauschildt, a childhood friend, opened Artsy to sell her creation and other local artists; a few steps down, a small brew pub with tapas for relaxation and catching up on the news. 

That’s the Beacon by the Bay in a nutshell. Care to know more, call me…Just. Call. Carmen.  

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