South Padre Island: Port Brownsville Boat Tour & Shrimp Tasting

Summary

See dolphins, working shrimp boats and SpaceX launch site by boat

You’ll ride from South Padre Island across Laguna Madre Bay with a local crew, spotting dolphins and working shrimp boats along the way. Taste fresh Gulf shrimp, hear stories about shipbuilding at Port Brownsville, and catch a glimpse of SpaceX on the horizon before heading back—there’s something quietly memorable about seeing all these worlds meet on one half-day tour.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a tiny cup of coffee before I’ve even found a seat. The boat smells like salt and engine oil—familiar if you grew up near water, I guess—and there’s this soft chatter from the crew as they untie us from South Padre Island’s dock. Our captain waves at another boat heading out early, and then we’re gliding into Laguna Madre Bay. It’s quiet for a minute, just seabirds overhead and the slap of water against the hull. I didn’t realize how wide-open it would feel out here—like you could just keep going south forever.

Our guide (I think her name was Maria?) points out these shrimp boats clustered together in the Port Isabel basin. She tells us about the shrimping families—how some of them have been doing this since the 1950s—and suddenly I’m thinking about all those hands mending nets or sorting catch before sunrise. We get to try some local shrimp, cold and sweet with a bit of lemon, which honestly tastes better than any fancy restaurant version. There’s a moment where someone drops their fork and everyone laughs; it’s easy to feel like you’re part of something here, even if it’s just for an afternoon.

I kept watching these huge ships getting dismantled along the Brownsville Ship Channel—rusted metal peeled back layer by layer—and our captain explained how old rigs are reborn or scrapped right here. The air smells different near Keppel AmFELS, almost metallic with a hint of diesel. A couple of kids got excited when dolphins surfaced nearby (I almost missed them while squinting at some bird I couldn’t name). The whole time, there’s this low hum from the engines and far-off hammering from shipyards—never totally quiet but never rushed either.

On the way back, someone points out SpaceX in the distance—a weird little silver dot against the flat horizon. The guide says launches sometimes shake windows all over town, which makes me laugh thinking about rockets sharing space with shrimpers and oil rigs. Five hours went by faster than I expected; maybe it was the stories or just being out on that salty wind for so long. I still think about that view across Laguna Madre Bay as we pulled back in—not dramatic or anything, but somehow it stuck with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Port Brownsville Half-Day Boat Tour

• Depart from South Padre Island
• Cruise across Laguna Madre Bay
• See Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins
• Observe migratory birds
• Learn about shrimping industry
• Taste local shrimp
• Hear area history
• View decommissioned vessels dismantling
• Watch oil rigs being built and repaired
• See Port of Brownsville operations
• Spot SpaceX launch site in distance
• Return to South Padre Island

Top questions

How long is the Port Brownsville boat tour?

The tour lasts about 5 hours round-trip from South Padre Island.

Are snacks or drinks included on the cruise?

Coffee, donuts, and a small shrimp cocktail are included during the tour.

Can I bring my own food or cooler?

Yes, you can bring your own cooler with any drinks or snacks except glass containers.

Is this boat tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both boarding and transportation options are wheelchair accessible; crew will assist if needed.

Will we see dolphins on this day trip?

You’ll likely spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins along Laguna Madre Bay during the cruise.

Does this tour include seeing SpaceX?

You’ll see SpaceX Starbase launch facility off in the distance as part of your route.

Where does the Port Brownsville boat tour depart from?

The narrated cruise departs from South Padre Island across Laguna Madre Bay.

What’s included

Your day includes coffee and donuts to start things off right, plus a small Gulf shrimp cocktail served onboard as you cruise past working boats and shipyards. You’re welcome to bring your own cooler with extra drinks or snacks (just skip glass bottles). Local guides share stories throughout, and wheelchair assistance is available if you need it before boarding.