El Cristo de Los Pescadores or the Jesus Christ of the Fishermen Statue is a hidden jewel on South Padre Island. This beautiful memorial is located in Isla Blanca Park at the southern end of South Padre Island. It honors the heritage and culture of fishing in South Padre Island and is a moving tribute to those who are at the mercy of the sea for their livelihood.
Also Read: 40+ Beachy Things to do on South Padre Island
Cristo de Los Pescadores is one of our favorite Christ statues in Texas. It reminds me of Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil with its wide open arms; though the one in South Padre Island is much smaller. The statue itself is a beautiful piece of artwork while the story behind it will tug at your heartstrings.
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Story behind the Cristo de Los Pescadores Memorial
The memorial was donated by the De La Lastra family to the Brownsville-Port Isabel Shrimp Producers Association to honor the lives of Gustavo and Jose De La Lastra. These two De La Lastra brothers were commercial shrimpers. Their shrimp trawler ‘Wilderness’ was shrimping off the coast near Brownsville, Texas on 7th July 1988 when tragedy struck.
The two brothers perished in an industrial accident brought on by toxic sulfur dioxide gas released due to a commonly used shrimping preservative. You can read details about that incident and the resulting lawsuit here. The settlement of the claims funded the plans for the memorial.
Along with the De la Lastra family members, the statue is dedicated to all fishermen who have lost their lives at sea. An inscription at the base of the statue reads a prayer in Spanish along with its English translation, “Father! Receive the souls of these brave fishermen who have sailed through this pass and never returned.”
We recommend walking around the statue and reading the inscriptions narrating names and stories of those who died in storms or accidents while out fishing.
Why visit Christ of the Fishermen Statue?
Christ of the Fisherman Statue is a must visit attraction on South Padre Island. The statue was built in the late 1990s. It is about 6.5 feet tall and stands on a stacked and carved stone block pedestal that is also about 6.5 feet tall.
Plaque at the base of the statue says ‘In memory of
Gustavo De la Lastra November 15, 1961 – July 7, 1988
Jose Edwardo De la Lastra September 25, 1963 – July 7, 1988’
Cristo de Los Pescadores is an essential part of everyday life on South Padre Island. Local fishermen and fishing boats receive blessings from the statue for safe return before heading out to sea. The De La Lastra family holds a memorial mass and celebration at the Statue on 7th July every year to pay respects and honor the dead. The views of the Gulf of Mexico from the memorial are incredible and a powerful reminder of the power of dangerous seas.
Harkening back to South Padre Island’s Past
The statue is an icon of simpler times on the island, when it was just a small fishing village – and not the touristy resort town that it is today. Fishing and shrimping in the prolific waters of the Gulf of Mexico was the primary source of livelihood in the area. Even today, several fishermen and shrimpers live on the island and depend on their fishing vessels and trawlers to provide for their family.
Visiting the statue is a spiritual experience that will move everybody. There’s something so peaceful about standing beneath Christ’s statue and watching the waves roll and crash at the shore. His open arms welcome one and all, like that of a loving father. Seeing the flowers that are left behind by loved ones never fails to bring tears to my eyes and the statue is a place I will go back to every time I visit South Padre Island.
How to reach the Cristo de Los Pescadores Statue?
Cristo de Los Pescadores statue is located on the southern coast of South Padre Island near the Brazos Santiago Pass that connects the Brownsville Ship Channel. The statue is within Isla Blanca Park north west of the Jetties. You will need to pay a $12 parking / entry fee to enter this park. Do not want to pay the entry fee? Park at the entrance and walk for about 15 minutes to reach the statue.
South Padre Attractions near Cristo de Los Pescadores
After visiting the statue, be sure to check out other attractions within Isla Blanca Park. Picnic tables are located walking distance away from the memorial. The pretty Playa Blanca Beach is also located nearby. This is one of the cleanest and best beaches on South Padre Island and has showers, changing rooms, and restrooms nearby.
Isla Blanca RV Park is also located within the park. This park is home to several winter Texans. Families with kids love the free Coastal Studies Laboratory while those looking to pray should visit Chapel by the Sea. Beach park at Isla Blanca is a great water park with fun rides and activities.