The lighthouse was built in 1852 due to the great number of shipwrecks that had occurred off Brazos Island in the Gulf of Mexico. By 1905, the lighthouse was decommissioned due to a downturn in maritime traffic caused by changes to the Rio Grande and the growth of railways. Present day, a reconstructed lighthouse keeper’s cottage sits in the shadow of Port Isabel’s 72-foot lighthouse and serves as a visitor center and museum. In 2022, after 117 years without a light, a 3rd Order Fresnel Lens was fitted in the lantern room. This addition brought the lighthouse back to the glory days it had not seen since 1905. Climb 75 winding stairs, three short ladders, and take in the coastal sights of the South Padre Island beaches at the last Texas lighthouse open to the public.
![clock icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-clock.png)
Hours
Lighthouse Open Daily
9 a.m.–6 p.m. [Off season]
10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Weather Permitting
Seasonal hours may apply
Visitor Center Open Daily
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
![tickets icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-ticket.png)
Tickets
Adults $5
Seniors $4
Children* $3
Military $2.50
*Children must be 5 years old and accompanied by a guardian to tour the lighthouse. A child may not be carried by an adult.
![calendar icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-cal.png)
Programs
Group Tours
School Tours
Special Events
See the site
![Sunrise photo of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_06.jpg?h=2cae9edb&itok=gQyeV0Dn)
![Visitor standing on balcony at the top of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_01.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=dc7AxaS9)
![Crowd of visitors taking photos of the lighting of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_02.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=y4BxGcwN)
![Closeup of the Fresnel Lens of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_03.jpg?h=b4a2ebf8&itok=D4O2luV0)
![Aerial photo of the Port Isabel Lighthouse at night](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_04.jpg?h=e12971e3&itok=LQBk5a0E)
![Sunrise photo of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_05.jpg?h=2cae9edb&itok=omwVgRlS)
![Lightkeeper's house at the Port Isabel Lighthouse site](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_07.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=AUdNKEAM)
![View from the balcony of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_08.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=dIH-EjC3)
![Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_09.jpg?h=88a80609&itok=S7_vsDhN)
![Aerial of the Port Isabel Lighthouse and surrounding area.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-11/Port-Isabel-lighthouse-and-causeway.jpg?h=2bc2730e&itok=WIPQKEs9)
![Sunrise photo of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_06.jpg?h=2cae9edb&itok=gQyeV0Dn)
![Visitor standing on balcony at the top of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_01.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=dc7AxaS9)
![Crowd of visitors taking photos of the lighting of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_02.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=y4BxGcwN)
![Closeup of the Fresnel Lens of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_03.jpg?h=b4a2ebf8&itok=D4O2luV0)
![Aerial photo of the Port Isabel Lighthouse at night](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_04.jpg?h=e12971e3&itok=LQBk5a0E)
![Sunrise photo of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_05.jpg?h=2cae9edb&itok=omwVgRlS)
![Lightkeeper's house at the Port Isabel Lighthouse site](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_07.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=AUdNKEAM)
![View from the balcony of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_08.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=dIH-EjC3)
![Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_09.jpg?h=88a80609&itok=S7_vsDhN)
![Aerial of the Port Isabel Lighthouse and surrounding area.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-11/Port-Isabel-lighthouse-and-causeway.jpg?h=2bc2730e&itok=WIPQKEs9)
![Visitor standing on balcony at the top of the Port Isabel Lighthouse](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_01.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=T22Z6lbC)
Plan Your Visit
Climb to the top of the lighthouse, walk the grounds, and visit other attractions in the area.
![Lightkeeper's house at the Port Isabel Lighthouse site](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Port%20Isabel_07.jpg?h=571f8567&itok=6r_HfK2_)
Port Isabel Lighthouse History
The lighthouse has long been a dominant feature at the southern tip of the Texas Gulf Coast. Its stood against the elements for more than a century, and has been a familiar aid to seafarers.
Events at Port Isabel Lighthouse
Port Isabel Lighthouse in the Blog
Support Our Historic Sites
Make a gift to the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting the historic sites of the THC.
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