What is the beach at Galveston like?

Travel Info
What is the beach at Galveston like?

Travel Tips

Truthfully, there are better beaches and there are worst beaches.

The water is not dirty, but it is not clear. It's a good temperature for swimming. There's lots of waves and surfers do surf there. It is a relatively safe beach to swim at. The seaweed only washes up a few times a year. And I have ony seen the jellyfish on the beach once in all my visits.

The sand is the color of sand, but nice. If you take the ferry to High Island (a 15 minute ride with your car and all) go to Crystal Beach. It's about a 1/2 mile down on your right. Lots of sand dunes and beach there.

If you expect white sand beaches and crystal clear water, you will be disappointed.

Galveston itself has many great things to do. Plan to spend the weekend at least. There's The Strand which is a collection of quaint stores, boutiques, candy shops, and restaurants. Try the WONDERFUL Mosquito Cafe on the Strand.

Visit some of the old, magnificent homes. The Bishop's Palace, for one, is very interesting.

Visit some of the historical museums. They have lots of information on the 1900 hurricane that killed from 6,000-8,000 people. Because of this tragic storm the meteorologists began to listen to the "new theory" of the storm surge.

Someone already mentioned the water park Schlitterbahn. Fun, fun, fun!

http://www.schlitterbahn.com/gal/...

You simply have to visit Moody Gardens---this is a must. Discover the ten-story Rainforest Pyramid with exotic plants, animals, and butterflies, IMAX 3D, and a white sand palm beach. (Yeah, they imported the sand!)

http://www.moodygardens.com/

It's a 20 minute drive to the Kemah Boardwalk. Lot's of shops, restaurants with music drifting onto the boardwalk with the beautiful view of the bay and all the sail boats and yachts. Try Floyd's in Kemah, the city, for food instead of the restaurants at the boardwalk. The food is much better is it's more reasonably priced. There are also some rides and other attractions at the Boardwalk.

http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/flash_cont...

Just 5 miles from Kemah is NASA Space Center. Here's the link. If you've got kids---this is a wonderland for them. The food court is not that expensive.

http://www.spacecenter.org/education.htm...

Back in Galveston, go to Sea Wolf Park. You will enjoy the museum. USS Cavalla Gato-class submarine that sank during WWII is there. Lots of history and information. on this submarine lost in WWII, Seawolf Park displays a WWII sub, a destroyer ... ton aircraft carrier Shokaku (veteran of Pearl Harbor and Battle of Coral Sea) . Pelican Island, where this is situated, was originally an immigration station site when Galveston was a major seaport and entryway to America, this often-overlooked park offers a lot of entertainment options. Pelican Island, on which it sits, provides an admirable view of Galveston harbor, best experienced from the park's three-story pavilion. What really sets it apart, of course, is the naval display, with the USS Cavalla (a sub) and the USS Stewart (destroyer escort) ready for inspection.

http://www.galveston.com/seawolfpark/...

Pelican Island via Seawolf Parkway
(51st Street, across Galveston Bay)
Galveston, TX 77550

There's a lot more, but this is becoming a long answer.

Have fun, whatever you decide to do.
Others

It's okay, I enjoyed Corpus Christi's beaches a whole lot more, try San Padre Island... or Mustang Island..
Dirty!!!! The gulf water is dirty due to all the tributaries that dump into it.
it's ok but just for a weekend!
Nasty...waters dirty. seaweeds piled up on the sand. not to mention in the water. you cant did in the sand because there a lot of tar and you get a little deep and it smell atrocious. If you really want to go to Galveston I suggest you go to sclitterbahn its clean, brand new, and lot of fun, it also can be indoors because they have a roof so go rain or shine. also go to Moody gardens, they have a great "beach" and good exhibits.
Galveston is not that bad. People are making sound horrible and it is not. Try Stewart Beach this is always clean. I was there on Memorial Day weekend and had a blast. We go about twice a year. Try a ghost tour and check out the strand and seawolf park.
i personally think it is quite disgusting! the water is nasty...polluted.....and there are dead fish,jellyfish, and such on the sand,that would not be safe to bring small children...