Port Brownsville Half-Day Boat Tour

Name: Port Brownsville Half-Day Boat Tour
Price: 43.3 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.76 (207 reviews)

Overview

Available languages

English

5 hours

Mobile ticket

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!

Additional Info

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

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

South Padre Island

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.

Admission Not Applicable

Brownsville

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.

Admission Not Applicable

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

Options

Port Brownsville Half-Day Boat Tour

Reviews

4.76

207 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

178

Worth the reasonable cost
Paultie,,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nice harbor tour. Great commentary about the history and vurrdnt activites going on in the harbor. Didn't expect a huge Navy ship scrapping operation. Amazing!
Port Brownsville History and Activity is Amazing
JoM541,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Saw a lot of dolphins! Boat ride was a little long for my husband but he was so facinated with the information and the captain's knowledge of the story behind Port Brownsville. We both learned a lot and what a wonderful crew; very polite, professional and friendly. Great donuts and shrimp cocktail too.
Very informative
X5473FPphilb,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I wanted to see what all was going on in the port area? And we got to get up close and have it explained to us!
Crowded
teresa d,,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
It was wonderful. My only complaint is it was so crowded. It was hard to sit in one spot but no room to walk
Very crowded but informative.
Explore37936751455,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
It was cool. Staff was very friendly and helpful. It was informative. It was interesting. However, I felt the boat was a bit overbooked forcing 7, of us to take seats inside. I realize they do it for the money but that is the reason I did not tip. I didn’t want to be INSIDE. Very crowded. One woman told me I was standing in her way of view but there was little room to stand against the outside rail without blocking the view of someone sitting outside. My opinion.
Port of Brownsville
Joni L,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
It wasn't ideal weather, but we made the most of it. It was cold and windy. Most of the boat is open, but the bottom has a small mostly enclosed area. There are bathrooms! There are covered areas for sun protection. The trip was great and the captain and crew were phenomenal. Such history in the port and so much knowledge sharing. They served donuts, coffee and later, shrimp cups. Highly recommend.
Delightful day to be in the port and in the boat.
J6617LGjohnn,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The crew was great, the history and the current state of the port was fascinating.
Very informative...
Stacy L,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Very informative beautiful views friendly staff on board I would recommend this tour. Shrimp doughnuts and coffee all provided which was nice
Great value, friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Patricia B,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A great day on the water despite the cold and wind. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the history and I enjoyed the pelicans. Little sad seeing the decommissioned ships being scrapped and the shrimp boats sold off.
Time welll spent on the water!
W9120KIjudithg,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Left on time, very friendly and courteous deck hands. Served us coffee and donuts and later fresh shrimp cocktail. Eric and Brandon answered tons of questions with a smile. Informative tour about the port and all the goings on in the port by the captain. Enjoyed the dolphins racing alongside the boat. Loved being on the water on a beautiful day. Reasonable price as well.