SouthWind Inn, Port Isabel, TX

AROUND TOWN

WELCOME WINTER TEXANS

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“Arrr, thrice a day, the sole spot in South Texas where ye can hear the thunderous boom o’ a cannon blastin’ from the SouthWind Inn! And just afore the pirate ship sets sail, she lets loose a roar from a 16th-century blunderbuss at Pirates Landing—shiver me timbers, what a salty spectacle!”

Set Sail on the Ultimate Pirate Adventure Aboard the Black Dragon Pirate Ship – Where Epic Fun Awaits You and Your Crew!

Dive into a thrilling 2-hour Disney-inspired pirate extravaganza that’s bursting with non-stop excitement! Their swashbuckling crew, fully decked out in pirate gear and staying in character, will transport you to a world of high-seas adventure.

You can sit back and watch or join the action with heart-pounding sword fights, splashy water gun battles, explosive cannon showdowns, creative face painting, and edge-of-your-seat treasure hunts – plus so much more that’ll have everyone cheering “Arrr!”

Spot playful dolphins dancing in the bay as you conquer the Laguna Madre – a magical bonus that makes every voyage unforgettable!

Thirsty for more? Their onboard full-service bar features a barmaid delivering drinks right to your seat. Adults 21+ can kick back in their exclusive adults-only zone or by the stage and treasure chest, savoring ice-cold beers, fine wines, premium liquors, and our signature cocktails that’ll have your taste buds shouting “Yo ho ho!

“They’ve got irresistible snacks, refreshing non-alcoholic drinks, and pirate-themed souvenirs to keep the little buccaneers happy.

Clean, convenient restrooms (including a baby changing table in the ladies’) ensure comfort for all hands on deck. Choose sun-soaked decks or shady retreats – whatever floats your boat!

By journey’s end, you’ll strut off looking, smelling, and talking like a true pirate legend – ready to conquer the world!

The ship accepts credit cards and cash.

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SOUTHWIND INN

Southwind Inn provides accommodations with a free and clean outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi as well as free private parking for guests who drive.

LOCATION: Located in Port Isabel, within 3.9 miles of Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark and 7.2 miles of Andy Bowie Park.

PROPERTY: Around 7.3 miles from South Padre Island Convention Center, 3.9 miles from Sea Ranch Marina 1 and 5.9 miles from Dolphin Research And Sea Life Nature Center.

ROOMS: They provide guests with a fridge. Southwind Inn hosts its guests with BBQ grills in the backyard common area.

Certain rooms at the property include a patio with a sea view. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a shower and free toiletries, guest rooms at the Hotel/Inn have a flat-screen TV air conditioning, and select rooms are equipped with a terrace.

LANGUAGE: English with some Spanish at the 24-hour front desk, staff are always helpful.

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THE SEA: Sea Turtle Inc is 6.8 miles from the accommodation, while South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center is 7.1 miles away.

Web cam HERE: WATCH LIVE

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Port Isabel

The early 1800’s experienced a bevy of activity here ate the junction of Laguna Madre, South Padre Island and the mouth of the Rio Grande. Pirate Jean Lafitte likely passed through the area, as did smugglers and gold diggers headed for California. A natural harbor called Brazos Santiago was the official Port of nearby Matamoros, Mexico.

During the U.S. Mexican war, Gen Zachary Taylor set up a supply depot and military hospital named Fort Polk. Steamboats hauled cargo to and down the river. Eventually, and early ranching settlement –EL Frontion de Santa Ysabel (bluff of Saint Isabel)– became the town of Point Isabel, later renamed Port Isabel.

By 1853, increased ships and shipping called for a lighthouse, which was used until 1905. The lighthouse was a lookout during Cortina wars, Civil War and both world wars. Today, visitors get a Gulf view atop of the six-story Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site operated by the Texas Park and Wildlife. Below in a small replica lighthouse keeper’s cottage contains exhibits and the chamber of commerce.

If you are lucky, you can see a pirate ship docked in Pirates landing fishing pier and restaurant. The Pirate ship is operational and anyone can book a private cruise or jump on a pre-timed cruise booked at Osprey cruises. The Pirate Ship is called THE BLACK DRAGON and it runs all four seasons long. https://www.ospreycruises.com

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THE CHAMPIONS LEGACY

General Taylor’s water well lies a short walk away at the Port Isabel Historical Museum CLICK HERE

The museum, housed in the 1899 Charles Champion Building. The son of Joseph Champion, an Italian immigrant who settled in Texas in 1855, Charles Champion was born on February 2, 1870, in Old Point Isabel. He served as district clerk in Hidalgo County before purchasing the Hess General Store in Old Point Isabel in 1894. He renamed it “The Champion Store”, and continued to operate the business in the small frame structure.

In 1899, Champion erected this two-story brick building and named it “The Key of the Gulf.” The first floor housed the general merchandise store, the U.S. Customs House, and the post office. Champion served as the second postmaster of Point Isabel. In the early 1900s, Champion provided the impetus for the fishing industry that employed many local citizens and became an integral part of the local economy.

By 1908 Champion and Judge J.B. Wells owned the Santa Isabela land grant, which included Point Isabel. Long a proponent of a deep water port in Point Isabel, Champion died in 1926 before its completion in 1933. Champion was buried next to his wife Margaret Orive and other family members in the Point Isabel Cemetery. The Cemetery is located across from SOUTHWIND INN.

BOOK A ROOM at SOUTHWIND INN https://www.booking.com

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THE LAGUNA MADRE was formed about 3,000 years ago, after the stabilization of the sea level on the Texas Coast, culminating in the rise of Padre Island. The Baffin Bay extension is considerably older than Laguna Madre, and formed as a river valley during the Pleistocene epoch, over 12,000 years ago. [The Pleistocene Epoch, lasting from about 2.58 million to 11,700 years ago, is known for its repeated glaciations and the presence of large mammals like woolly mammoths. It is often referred to as the “Ice Age” and is followed by the current Holocene Epoch.]

Early peoples obtained oysters from the bay, which were eliminated due to changes in salinity after the full formation of Laguna Madre. The first people to encounter the new lagoon were most likely the nomadic Karankawa and Coahuiltecan Indians.

The Spanish explorer Alonso Álvarez de Pineda is believed to be the first European to come in contact with Laguna Madre in the early 16th century, and is credited with giving it the name, which is Spanish for “mother lagoon”.

Several land grants were handed out by the Spanish government for ranching near the lagoon. The first was believed according to whom to have been given to José Nicolás Cabazos in 1792, which included 500,000 acres (2,000 km2) in the area south of Baffin Bay to the Rio Grande. Cabazos stocked the land with 900 cattle.

American ranching settlements developed following the Mexican War, including the King Ranch, which was established in 1847 by Richard King.

The area near present-day Port Isabel was used as a resort for Spaniards after water sellers came ashore in the late 18th century looking for freshwater supplies.

A settlement known as Point Isabel was established at the location in the 1830s, and in 1853, the Point Isabel Lighthouse was constructed to overlook the lagoon.

The city was named Port Isabel in 1928, and in 1954, the Queen Isabella Causeway, the longest bridge in Texas, was constructed across Laguna Madre to South Padre Island.

A newer bridge was built in 1974, but part of it collapsed on September 15, 2001, after being hit by a barge, causing eight people to plunge to their deaths and significantly hindering the economy of South Texas. It was rebuilt and reopened in November of that year. Port Isabel had 4,865 residents during the 2000 census.

To the north, Port Mansfield was established in 1950, at the old fishing community of Red Fish Landing. It was named after United States Congressman Joseph J. Mansfield (D-TX), who introduced the bill that extended the Intracoastal Waterway from Corpus Christi to Brownsville in the 1940s.

The Port Mansfield Ship Channel was dredged in 1957 across Padre Island and redredged in 1962 after work was done to improve the jetties.

The cut allows an influx of seawater into the Lower Laguna Madre to improve the fishing and shipping industry of Port Mansfield.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_coordinate_system

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SOUTH PADRE ISLAND 1980s VS 2024

Cool facts about TEXAS.

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AIRPORT(s): The 5 Closest Airport to South Padre Island TX – 2025 Full Guide

5. Corpus Christi International Airport
   Driving Distance from South Padre Island, Texas: 2 Hours, 45 Minutes
   Location: Check on Google Maps

Corpus Christi International might be, in a way, the farthest on this list, but it’s still one of the closest airports to South Padre Island TX with solid infrastructure and a user-friendly layout. Located in a pretty active region of the Coastal Bend, this airport is actually managed with a fair amount of efficiency for a mid-size regional hub.

The drive from here is a little on the longer side, yet with proper planning, it’s a smooth, almost relaxing ride along US-77 South. For those looking for alternative flight options or traveling from areas not served by closer airports, this is arguably still a viable route. It’s also considered one of the nearest airports to South Padre Island Texas that occasionally offers cheaper fare pricing depending on the season.

What’s more, Corpus Christi itself is a moderately fun city to explore if you’ve got some hours to spare. You’ll find the Texas State Aquarium, a charming marina, and several eateries lining the waterfront. So, for travelers with flexibility, it might be worth extending your arrival window here.

Despite the extended drive, it remains one of the airports close to South Padre Island Texas that’s worth keeping on your radar, especially during peak seasons when other flights might be harder to book.

4. McAllen-Miller International Airport
   Driving Distance from South Padre Island, Texas: 1 Hour, 45 Minutes
   Location: Check on Google Maps

McAllen-Miller ranks next in terms of proximity and qualifies as a fairly consistent nearest airport to South Padre Island TX for many people coming from the western U.S. The airport itself is relatively modern, with a spacious terminal and a few comfortable amenities that help make layovers slightly more pleasant.

What makes this airport stand out is how quick and manageable the drive is, just under two hours on a typical day with moderate traffic. Plus, car rentals are typically available without much fuss. It’s also worth noting that this is among the closest airports to South Padre Island TX that still gets a fair volume of major airline flights, so flight availability is usually not an issue.

McAllen itself has some light tourism value too. While not a major hotspot, it does offer cultural centers, shopping outlets, and some casual dining worth checking out if you happen to be passing through.

For example, the McAllen Performing Arts Center and Quinta Mazatlan are low-key ways to spend an hour or two.

So, while it might not be the closest international airport to South Padre Island TX, it does serve as one of the airports close to South Padre Island Texas that still checks most of the convenience boxes.

3. Matamoros International Airport
   Driving Distance from South Padre Island, Texas: 1 Hour, 25 Minutes
   Location: Check on Google Maps

Just across the border in Mexico, Matamoros International Airport is technically international but often overlooked, even though it’s among the closest international airport to South Padre Island TX depending on your travel route.

This is the nearest airport to South Padre Island TX for travelers who don’t mind crossing the border and are looking for flights coming from within Mexico or other Latin American cities.

Matamoros itself is a bit of a contrast, less touristy and more authentic, in a way, offering a real sense of local Mexican culture. It’s ideal for those who speak Spanish or are at least fairly comfortable navigating cross-border customs.

The drive from the airport to South Padre is usually just under an hour and a half, making it one of the airports near South Padre Island TX worth considering if you’re looking for alternate options.

Facilities at the airport are fairly basic, but functional. That said, it qualifies as the South Padre Island nearest airport for certain international routes. So if you’re coming in from Mexico City or Monterrey, this might be your shortest route to the island.

While this may not be everyone’s first pick, it remains a lesser-known yet fairly logical airport closest to South Padre Island TX depending on your origin city.

2. Valley International Airport
   Driving Distance from South Padre Island, Texas: 1 Hour, 10 Minutes
   Location: Check on Google Maps

Located in Harlingen, Valley International Airport is a regional gem that’s surprisingly efficient and easy to navigate. It’s absolutely one of the nearest airports to South Padre Island Texas with a reputation for quick arrivals and easy check-in procedures.

The ride to South Padre from Harlingen is more or less straightforward, usually taking just a little over an hour depending on weather and traffic, making it the 2nd closest airport to South Padre Island TX in terms of driving distance.

That’s what makes this a very logical pick for travelers wanting to avoid the hustle and get to the beach faster. It’s considered a solid airport for South Padre Island TX thanks to regular service by multiple airlines.

Inside the airport, things are low-stress. There are a few basic amenities including snack bars, rental car counters, and comfy waiting areas. For a quick bite or a decent coffee before you hit the road, this place has you covered without the usual chaos of a big city airport.

Harlingen itself isn’t exactly a big destination, but if you do have time, the Iwo Jima Monument and a few historic sites offer a little something to break up the trip.

It’s one of the airports close to South Padre Island Texas that provides good access while keeping things low-key and manageable.

1. Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport
   Driving Distance from South Padre Island, Texas: 40 Minutes
   Location: Check on Google Maps

Without question, the closest airport to South Padre Island TX is Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport. It’s the most direct and often the most convenient way to reach the island.

This airport was literally designed with the beach-bound traveler in mind and is commonly labeled the airport closest to South Padre Island TX by locals and seasoned tourists alike.

Driving from here to South Padre takes just about 45 minutes, which is why this one consistently ranks as the South Padre Island nearest airport by travel standards.

The airport itself is compact but clean, and check-in typically moves quickly. It’s also been modernized over recent years to make things easier on arriving guests.

Brownsville has some pretty charming elements too, if you’re in the mood to linger. You’ve got the Gladys Porter Zoo, the Mitte Cultural District, and some solid local eateries. Airports

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AREA RESTAURANTS

PIRATES LANDING 956-943-3663

COOK YOUR OWN: Blue Marlin Supermarket-2912 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island is open 7:30 am-10:00 pm. Serving the community for over 30 years.

Search for more HERE: https://www.yellowpages.com/port-isabel-tx/restaurants

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SPACEX IN THE NEWS

Photo: Spacex.com

Starship is built to deliver millions of tonnes to Mars. We’re now offering Starship services to the red planet, recently signing our first agreement with the Italian Space Agency. Starlink satellites are designed, built, launched and operated from the United States to provide connectivity anywhere on the planet.

SpaceX, officially known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp., is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the ambitious goal of reducing space transportation costs to enable the colonization of Mars and make humanity a multi-planetary species. Headquartered in Hawthorne, California, the company has grown from a small startup facing near-bankruptcy to a dominant force in the global space industry, valued at over $200 billion as of recent estimates, and employing thousands of engineers, technicians, and support staff across multiple facilities in the U.S., including launch sites in Florida, Texas, and California.

Founding and Early Years (2002–2008)

Elon Musk, fresh from selling his stakes in PayPal, established SpaceX in May 2002 after becoming frustrated with the high costs and inefficiencies of existing space launch providers, particularly in his initial attempts to purchase Russian rockets for a Mars mission concept. Musk invested $100 million of his own money into the venture, aiming to develop reusable rocket technology from scratch—a radical departure from the disposable rockets used by governments and competitors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The company’s first rocket, the Falcon 1 (named after the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars), was a small, two-stage vehicle designed to place small satellites into low Earth orbit.

The early years were marked by significant challenges and failures. SpaceX’s first three Falcon 1 launches in 2006, 2007, and 2008 all ended in explosions or failures to reach orbit, nearly bankrupting the company and leading Musk to consider shutting it down. However, perseverance paid off with the fourth launch on September 28, 2008, which successfully reached orbit, making SpaceX the first privately funded company to achieve this milestone. This success came just in time, as NASA awarded SpaceX a $1.6 billion Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract later that year to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS), providing crucial funding and validation.

Growth and Milestones (2009–2015)

Building on the Falcon 1’s success, SpaceX shifted focus to the larger Falcon 9 rocket, which debuted in 2010 and became the workhorse of its fleet. In December 2010, SpaceX made history again by launching its Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9, orbiting Earth, and safely returning it—the first time a private company had accomplished this feat. This paved the way for the company’s first ISS docking in May 2012, under the CRS program, marking the beginning of regular cargo missions to the station.

A pivotal innovation was the development of reusable rocket technology. After several attempts, SpaceX achieved the first vertical landing of an orbital rocket booster in December 2015 with a Falcon 9 first stage, dramatically lowering launch costs by allowing boosters to be refurbished and relaunched multiple times—some now exceeding 20 flights. This breakthrough disrupted the industry, where rockets were traditionally single-use and expensive. In 2014, SpaceX also introduced the Falcon Heavy, the world’s most powerful operational rocket at the time, capable of lifting nearly 64 metric tons to low Earth orbit, with its maiden flight in 2018 famously sending Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster into space as a test payload.

During this period, SpaceX expanded its workforce and facilities, establishing launch pads at Cape Canaveral in Florida, Vandenberg in California (now Space Launch Complex 4), and later Boca Chica in Texas for Starship development. The company also began work on crewed missions, winning NASA’s Commercial Crew Program contract in 2014 to transport astronauts to the ISS, ending U.S. reliance on Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Modern Era and Key Achievements (2016–Present)

By the mid-2010s, SpaceX had solidified its position as a leader in commercial spaceflight. In 2020, the Crew Dragon spacecraft carried NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the ISS on the Demo-2 mission, the first crewed orbital flight from U.S. soil since the Space Shuttle’s retirement in 2011. This success led to regular crew rotations, with Crew Dragon now certified for human spaceflight and having completed multiple missions, including private ones like Inspiration4 in 2021—the first all-civilian orbital flight.

SpaceX’s Starlink project, announced in 2015 and deploying satellites since 2019, aims to provide global broadband internet via a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites. As of 2025, over 6,000 Starlink satellites are in orbit, serving millions of users in remote and underserved areas, though it has faced criticism for contributing to space debris and astronomical interference. The company has conducted hundreds of Falcon 9 launches, many dedicated to Starlink, achieving a launch cadence of over 100 per year by 2024.

Starship, SpaceX’s next-generation fully reusable spacecraft and super-heavy booster, represents the company’s most ambitious project yet. Designed for deep-space missions, it stands at nearly 120 meters tall and is intended to carry up to 100 people to Mars. Development began in earnest around 2018, with multiple test flights from Boca Chica, including explosions in early prototypes but successful orbital tests by 2024 and 2025. Starship is central to NASA’s Artemis program for lunar landings and Musk’s vision of Mars colonization, with plans for uncrewed Mars missions as early as 2026.

SpaceX has also ventured into other areas, such as the Raptor engine (methane-fueled for reusability), in-orbit refueling technology, and even conceptual Earth-to-Earth passenger transport using Starship for sub-hour global flights. The company has secured billions in government contracts, including from the U.S. Department of Defense for satellite launches and spy satellite networks, while dominating the commercial satellite launch market with a market share exceeding 50%.

Challenges, Controversies, and Future Plans

Despite its successes, SpaceX has faced hurdles, including regulatory battles with the FAA over launch approvals, environmental concerns at launch sites, and workplace controversies under Musk’s leadership. The company’s rapid iteration philosophy—”fail fast, learn fast”—has led to spectacular explosions during testing, but also accelerated innovation.

Looking ahead, SpaceX’s roadmap includes scaling Starlink to tens of thousands of satellites, crewed Starship missions to the Moon by 2026 under Artemis, and the first human Mars landing potentially in the 2030s. Musk envisions a self-sustaining city on Mars with a million inhabitants by 2050, supported by reusable technology that could reduce launch costs to as low as $10 per kilogram. Through partnerships with NASA, private investors, and international entities, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, inspiring a new era of commercial space travel and interplanetary ambitions. We’ve come a long way baby!

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