Laguna Heights is a coastal community with access to larger areas
Laguna Heights gives residents access to island life. The small, residential area is surrounded by the larger communities of Port Isabel and Laguna Vista, and it has access to Laguna Madre Bay. Many residents spend time on the beaches of South Padre Island, which is a few miles east. Thanks to the area’s weather, it stays warm nearly all year, giving people plenty of time to enjoy the sun and the water. “It’s very easy to get to the places you need to go, whether that’s fine dining or just going out for a burger,” says Therese Eaton, a broker with Rio Isla Realty based in Laguna Vista. “It’s an easy place to live and travel.”
Fishing, golfing and playgrounds, plus adventure at Isla Blanca Park
Bejarano-McFarland Memorial Park is undergoing renovations, and a splash pad and a covered basketball court are being added, among other amenities. Other green spaces are a few miles away, like Port Isabel’s Arturo Galvan Coastal Park, which has fishing spots and a playground and is pet-friendly. Pompano Park offers a boat ramp and picnic areas, while the Port Isabel Lighthouse provides bay views. In nearby Laguna Vista, the South Texas Ecotourism Center lets visitors experience five ecosystems native to the region. South Padre Island Golf Club takes public tee times and partners with Youth on Course to lower the afternoon rates for the organization's members.
Eaton says the road to South Padre Island can get congested around noon on the weekend, and locals learn to avoid the area at those times. The island’s Isla Blanca Park, around 8 miles away, has beaches with snorkeling and jet skiing.
Traditional and New Traditional homes on small lots
On the edges of the community are New Traditional houses that often range from $230,000 to $300,000. In the center are older traditional and Mediterranean Revival-influenced homes that can go from $180,000 to $315,000. Nearly 70% of homes are occupied by renters. Lots are usually small, rarely reaching a quarter-acre. Yards commonly feature medium- to large-sized trees, including palm trees, and some small bushes. The area’s narrow residential streets lay in a grid-like pattern. A drive down Michigan Street offers views of the bay’s waters.
A monthly flea market and summer movie nights are a short drive away
Port Isabel and South Padre Island host the Texas International Fishing Tournament each summer, which can draw more than 1,500 anglers. The Port Isabel Antique & Flea Market is held on the first Sunday of each month except December. On Thursday nights in the summer, the Port Isabel Lighthouse hosts movie nights for families.
Tacos and seafood restaurants are common, and H-E-B is close
Taqueria El Jarocho serves authentic street-style tacos. In Port Isabel, Pirates Landing will cook any fish that customers catch and bring into the restaurant. The service is about $10 and comes with two sides. It also has a more typical seafood menu. Joe’s Oyster Bar combines an eatery with a fresh and frozen seafood market. In Laguna Vista, Bayside Cafe offers Southern-inspired lunch and dinner with daily specials. Laguna Market is the community’s grocery store; Port Isabel has H-E-B and Dollar General locations.
Students attend Point Isabel ISD, plus a school choice program
Students are served by the Point Isabel Independent School District. They can attend Derry Elementary School, which has a C-plus Niche rating. Port Isabel Junior High School also earns a C-plus. Port Isabel High School offers Advanced Placement classes and receives a B-minus score. Starting in 2026, Texas’ school choice voucher program will give eligible families close to $10,000 to use toward private education tuition and other expenses. The nearest private school is Laguna Madre Christian Academy in Laguna Vista, which has no Niche or GreatSchools rating.
Residents can ride buses to several places in the region for free
Texas State Highway 100 runs through the community. Port Isabel’s city center is less than 5 miles east, and Valley International Airport is about 35 miles away. Island Metro buses, which are free for riders, run from Laguna Heights to Port Isabel and South Padre Island. Eaton says the area does not often suffer from flooding despite its waterfront location, adding that hurricanes are also rare.
