South Padre Information

All kinds of pirate activity at the new Black Dragon Cruises in Port Isabel.

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Black Dragon Cruises
Port Isabel and South Padre Island, TX Pirate Ship Adventure

July 6th, 2008 by Jolly Roger
When Black Dragon crossed into Texas, the seas calmed, the sun came out and the engines gained 100 rpms. At least it seemed that way to Capn’ Dunkin and crew. They passed Port Arthur, Galveston and Freeport all without incident at 9 knots over the bottom. The last 36 hours have been a mariner’s blessing: an uneventful downhill run. At twilight near Matagorda, Dragon encountered a rabble of post-fourth of July celebrants who were igniting their remaining fireworks in a spectacular crescendo such that they actually created a veil of smoke over the channel. Out of the smoke and gloom came the Black Dragon looking like a phantom ship and firing an answering salute from her 10 guns. Talk about shock and awe!

Capn’ Dunkin reports that they passed through the Colorado river locks with dispatch and spent the night navigating Matagorda Bay. At 06:00 hours, he was passing the Aransas Wildlife Refuge on a direct heading for Port Aransas. ETA at Fisherman’s Wharf: 09:30 - 10:00 hours, where a fresh captain and crew, along with a small band of doughty pirates, will come aboard for the last leg down the Laguna Madre, appropriately named since to all of us it’s like coming home to mama. Thanks to Bobby Grumbles for providing dock space at the Wharf. Port Isabel-S. Padre Island in our sights! Update to follow after the Dragon casts off from Port A.

Quoted from WOAI San Antonio, TX
By Jim Forsyth
Thursday, July 3, 2008

South Padre Island is moving up on the list of the top vacation resorts, 1200 WOAI news reports.

Last year, Conde Nast ‘Traveler’ named South Padre one of the top thirty beaches in the world. Now ‘Men’s Fitness’ Magazine has name South Padre one of the country’s ‘ten hotspots worth visiting’ this summer, and citied activities like body boarding and windsurfing, and that pleases South Padre Convention and Visitors Bureau manager Dan Quandt.

“People who are interested in Men’s Fitness magazine, for example, are not couch potato types,” he said.

“As a vacation destination, South Padre Island is affordable and the people there are amazingly hospitable,” the magazine wrote. “South Padre offers warm, turquoise waters and waves that are perfect for body boarding. Laguna Madre Bay, between the Island and mainland, is home to some of the best windsurfing in the world.”

The recognition couldn’t come at a better time for South Padre, which is enjoying a boom largely due to the high price of gasoline. It is reinventing itself as Caribbean beach resort that doesn’t require a passport, long lines at the airport, or airline baggage check fees.

Quandt says he’s not surprised by the magazine’s high praise for the people of South Padre Island. He points out that tourism is the sole industry on the Island.

“We have people who are genuinely interested in making sure that our visitors have a good time,” he said.

Quoted from http://blackdragoncruises.info/blog/:

Black Dragon Cruises

Well, here we are in Ocean Springs, Mississippi at the Ocean Springs Marina. What a crossing! 58 hours of high drama. Captain Dunkin reports a series of squalls, one after the other, with gale force winds throughout the passage. To put a cap on it, as he was entering the harbor, another squall hit with rainfall estimated at 3-5 inches/hour. A real white-out. No wonder the bottom of Gulf of Mexico is littered with hulls that foundered in extreme weather! The Dragon’s steel hull did well.

Predictably, with new untested equipment, there will be some failures. Black Dragon lost gear control over both engines late Sunday. She was frozen in forward gear. Captain D responded in the best traditions of mariners. He pointed her up and kept going. Cap’n Phil Calo, the operations manager, is shadowing Black Dragon by land. He contacted Cummings Marine, arranged for parts to be air-freighted to Biloxi, installed them, and The Dragon is ready to set sail early tomorrow.

The reception from the Mississippi folk has been overwhelming. Cap’n Calo tells me that over 250 people have toured the boat in the last few hours. Lot’s of cannon fire for the kids which delights the crew. It gives them a chance to show off a little after a hard two and a half days.

If you are ever in that part of the gulf coast, stop by the Ocean Springs Marina. It’s a first class operation with absolutely super staff and slipholders. We are deeply indebted to Leslie Hamm, the Harbor Master. We are tied up athwart the “Mark and Dawn” gulf shrimp boat, and they have graciously allowed the sight-seers to cross their decks to board The Dragon. The “Mark and Dawn” and the “Ms Williams”, another gulf shrimper, sell fresh caught gulf shrimp directly to the public. Cap’n Calo says that everyone he’s met has been solid gold. He wants to make honorary Pirates out of them all.

THANKS MISSISSIPPIANS! YOU’RE GREAT PEOPLE.

Through Louisiana on the inland passage tomorrow. The crew is looking forward to sailing through downtown New Orleans. They’ll give them a few cannon salutes to let them know we’re coming through. Estimating Galveston late Wed or Thurs, depending on a number of factors. I’ll give you an update tomorrow.

She is sailing to Port Isabel Now! Call 956-943-MATE for more info.

New! Now you can simply display a coupon when paying for your activity and get a discount! It could not be easier! Dolphin Watches, Fishing, ATV, Horsebach and Restaurants are just some of what is available and more coming soon. No need for a printer! Great for last minute planning!

On your web enabled cell phone simply go to http://sopadrelive.mobi and find the coupon desired. Show the screen at the venue when paying for your activity. Some venues do require advanced reservations so be sure to plan ahead. Other limitations may apply and are displayed on the actual coupon.

Many more coupons are available to print at http://southpadrecoupons.com

Gilbert and Teri Vela, life long residents of Port Isabel, own and operate a USCG-approved 34’ Catamaran Power Boat called the “Sea Rocket” and are offering thrill boat rides through the Laguna Madre or Gulf of Mexico. Gilbert is no stranger to the Laguna Madre waters as he has been a well respected professional fishing charter captain for over 25 years. Teri, his wife and partner in this endeavor is excited about the opportunity to offer families this innovative experience. The adrenaline ride will be offered 365 days a year – weather permitting. Located at next to Sea Ranch Restaurant and accross from Schlitterbahn Waterpark, the Sea Rocket holds 14 passengers and is piloted by a Coast Guard Certified captain. It is a ride to be remembered!

For more information call Gilbert or Teri at 956-761-4566

Here is the latest update of the Black Dragon Pirate Ship that will cruise the Laguna Madre at Port Isabel and South Padre island, TX. She is set for arrival and tours in late June 2008