Drive on the beach
Pull up right on the sand and find your own quiet stretch along 27 miles of shoreline.
Speed limit 15 mph and stay off the dunes. Parking on the beach needs a Bolivar beach parking sticker, sold at local stores.
Experiences · Texas Gulf Coast
Things to Do in Crystal Beach & Bolivar Peninsula
27 miles of open Gulf beaches, world-class birding, fishing charters and a free 24-hour ferry, plus Surfside Beach just down the coast. Here is how to spend your days near your Bolivar Peninsula vacation rental.
Who's coming?
Explore the map
Everything in this guide, on one map
From the lighthouse at Port Bolivar to the bird sanctuaries past Gilchrist, see how close it all is. The orange pins are the towns where our beach houses are.
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01
Beach life in Crystal Beach
Bolivar Peninsula has 27 miles of wide, open Gulf beaches, and in Crystal Beach you can drive right onto the sand and set up camp wherever you like. Mornings are for shelling, evenings for bonfires and the sunset over the bay.
FreeBeachcombing & shelling
Shells, sea glass and little treasures, especially on the quieter east end around Gilchrist.
Best at low tide or right after a storm.
Beach bonfires & s’mores
Stars, waves and s’mores around a small fire: a peninsula tradition.
Check Galveston County for burn bans first, keep it small, put it out completely and leave no glass on the beach.
FreeSunrise & sunset
Catch the sunrise over the Gulf and the sunset over East Galveston Bay on the same day.
Bring coffee for sunrise: the beach faces the Gulf.
02
Fishing & crabbing on Bolivar Peninsula
Redfish, speckled trout, flounder and black drum bite from the surf, the jetties and East Galveston Bay. Cast from the beach, book a guided charter or spend an afternoon crabbing with the kids.
Surf fishing
Cast right from the beach. The jetties near Bolivar Roads and East Galveston Bay are prime spots.
A Texas saltwater fishing license is required, sold online by Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Guided fishing charter
Head out with Capt. Doc’s, our local partner: boat, equipment and know-how included.
Great for first-timers and seasoned anglers alike.
FreeCrabbing
Drop a line or a net from a pier or the shoreline and see what you pull up.
Kids love it: hours of fun with a bucket and some bait.
03
Birding & wildlife on Bolivar Peninsula
The peninsula sits on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, and Bolivar Flats is one of the best birding spots in North America. Roseate spoonbills, pelicans and egrets are year-round neighbors; spring migration is spectacular.
FreeBirding at Bolivar Flats
Hundreds of migratory species on a Globally Important Bird Area right by Port Bolivar.
Visit in spring, and add the High Island rookery to the trip.
FreeDolphin watching
Dolphins often play in the wake of the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry and along the shore.
The free ferry is the easiest way to see them.
Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge
Formerly the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge: coastal marsh and prairie with alligators, waterfowl and quiet trails.
Renamed in 2025; still a short drive from the peninsula.
Gilchrist beach house rentals
44 homes, 37 right on the beach, a few minutes from here.
See the homes04
Attractions & history
From a lighthouse built in 1872 to old coastal defenses and a free 24-hour ferry, the west end of the peninsula is full of history. Back in Crystal Beach, golf carts, mini golf and waterslides keep the whole family busy.
FreePoint Bolivar Lighthouse
Built in 1872, this landmark has weathered 150 years of storms near the ferry landing.
You can’t go inside, but it’s a must for photos.
Fort Travis Seashore Park
Bunkers and batteries from the late 1800s, picnic areas, wetland overlooks and a playground.
The bunkers open to explore around Spring Break.
FreeGalveston–Port Bolivar ferry
Free, runs 24 hours a day and crosses in about 20 minutes, with bay views, pelicans and dolphins.
Summer weekend waits can pass 2 hours; Houston TranStar shows current ferry wait times.
Golf cart cruising
The favorite way to get around Crystal Beach. Rent from Jay’s or Crystal Beach Golf Carts.
Drivers need a valid license; carts can use roads of 35 mph or less.
The Gulf Range Mini Golf
An 18-hole tropical course with yard games, an arcade and pizza. It lights up after dark.
On Highway 87 in Crystal Beach.
Fun Spot Waterslide
A local favorite for a splash when the kids want a break from the beach.
Perfect for hot summer afternoons.
Down the coast
Things to do in Surfside Beach
Our Surfside Beach homes sit on a quieter stretch of the coast, about an hour from Houston, with four miles of shoreline, a legendary jetty and a laid-back village feel.
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Surfside Jetty Park
A long granite jetty into the Gulf for redfish, sheepshead and trout, cargo ships and dolphins.
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Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
More than 300 bird species, hiking trails and the chance to spot alligators.
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Fort Velasco
Site of the 1832 Battle of Velasco, the first armed clash between Texians and Mexico. See the Timeline Circle and the fort models at the village hall museum.
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Sea Center Texas
Touch tanks, an aquarium and a working fish hatchery, about 15 minutes away in Lake Jackson. Free admission.
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Splash Pad Park
A freshwater splash park for little ones, a break from the saltwater.
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Bluewater Highway Trail
A three-mile path through the village for walking, running or biking.
Good to know
Before you hit the beach
A few local rules and tips that make beach days easy on Bolivar Peninsula.
- Beach parking sticker
You can drive and walk on Bolivar beaches freely; a Bolivar beach parking permit is needed only to park a vehicle on the sand.
- Fishing license
Anglers 17 and older need a Texas fishing license with a saltwater endorsement, sold online by Texas Parks & Wildlife.
- The free ferry
The Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry runs 24/7 and is free. Crossing takes about 20 minutes; summer weekend waits can pass 2 hours.
- Golf carts
Licensed drivers only, on roads of 35 mph or less. A golf cart parked on the beach needs a parking sticker too.
- Beach fires
Small, contained fires are part of beach life when there is no burn ban. Check Galveston County before lighting one.
- Camping on the beach
You don’t need a permit to camp on Bolivar beaches; just park legally and pack out everything you bring.
Where to stay
Stay close to it all
Pick your base: every town on the peninsula is a few minutes from the beach, the ferry and the places in this guide.
Things to do in Crystal Beach: FAQ
What is there to do in Crystal Beach, Texas?
Drive on the beach, go surf fishing or book a fishing charter, collect shells, watch dolphins from the free Galveston ferry, go birding at Bolivar Flats and end the day with a beach bonfire. Our guests also get perks like Margaritaville resort access.
Can you drive on the beach in Crystal Beach?
Yes. You can drive on Bolivar Peninsula beaches at up to 15 mph, staying off the dunes. To park a car or golf cart on the sand you need a Bolivar beach parking permit.
Is the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry free?
Yes. The ferry is free, runs 24 hours a day and the crossing takes about 20 minutes. On summer weekends and holidays waits can pass 2 hours, and Houston TranStar shows current wait times.
Can you camp on Crystal Beach?
Yes. You don’t need a permit to camp on Bolivar Peninsula beaches; a parking permit is only needed for a vehicle parked on the sand. Check for event weekends, when special rules can apply.
Where is the best birding on Bolivar Peninsula?
Bolivar Flats, by Port Bolivar, is one of the best birding spots in North America, and the High Island sanctuaries are famous for spring migration.
What is there to do in Surfside Beach, Texas?
Surf some of the most consistent waves in Texas, fish from the Surfside jetty, drive on the beach, walk the Bird & Butterfly Trail and visit Fort Velasco and Sea Center Texas.