| EXPLORE
BOLIVAR |
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Ride
the
Bolivar Ferry |
The
Free
Ferry service provided by the Texas Department of
Transportation is the only way motorists can cross the
waterway between Galveston and Bolivar. The 2.7 mile
trip takes approximately 18 minutes to cross one of the
busiest waterways in the world.
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View SS
Selma-Concrete
Ship |
The
SS Selma
is a World War I reinforced concrete tanker scuttled
decades ago off the coast of Galveston. The Selma is
still visible today as you cross the bay on the ferry,
and has become an interesting artifact to be viewed by
locals and tourists alike. |
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Visit
Fort
Travis Seashore Park |
During
World
War I, Fort Travis garrisoned troops
defending the Port of Galveston. In 1942, the fort was
enlarged and 2,500 troops were stationed there. Now
operated by the Galveston County Parks Department, the
park includes a seawall, grassy areas, playgrounds,
picnic tables and BBQ grills. |
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Walk
The
North Jetty |
The
North
Jetty is located on the Bolivar Peninsula about two
miles east of the Ferry landing. The jetty extends five
miles into the Gulf and is a popular spot for fishing
and crabbing. The first quarter-mile or so is a concrete
walk, and after that large granite rocks. For a
remarkable experience, the visitor may walk two miles
out on the jetty. |
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Photograph
the
Lighthouse |
The
Bolivar
Point Lighthouse was built in 1872 and towers 117
ft. above sea level. It guided mariners for 61 years and
was retired in 1933. Today, it is privately owned and
not open to the public, but still remains a popular
photo opportunity. |
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Go
Surf
Fishing |
Fishing
in
the surf is a relaxing, economical and often rewarding
experience. Take your rod and reel, some bait or lure,
and toss your line out. Surf fishing is especially good
in the summer when the green water comes all the way to
the beach. The speckled trout are hungry and ready to
take a lure or live shrimp. |
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Explore
Galveston
Bay |
Galveston
Bay
offers some of the best saltwater fishing on the Gulf
coast. Bolivar's East Bay is the preferred area of the
bay to fish. East Bay has numerous oyster reefs,
shoreline marshes, and offers many areas with limited
wave action due to prevailing southern winds. Several
boat launches are located on the peninsula, or take
advantage of a guided trip with one of the local
professional Fishing Guides. |
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Go
Crabbing |
Crabbing
is
quite simple and the items needed are minimal; a length
of string, a net, chicken necks and an ice crest for the
catch. The prime time to crab is during a high tide, and
the prime location is along a bayside canal, the rock
jetties, or along the intracoastal canal. NOTE: you need
a fishing license to crab. |
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Rent
a
Golf Cart |
Golf
carts
are a fun way to drive on the beach. Cruise along the
sand and look for shells or other sea treasures. Rent a
6-seater and take the whole family. Golf carts are legal
on the subdivision roads so you can drive from your
house to the beach. Take advantage of this great way to
explore Bolivar beaches. Golf Car
Connection
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Escape
Room Adventure |
The
only indoor activity on the Bolivar Peninsula is the
BOLIVAR ESCAPE ROOM. Use your brain, problem solve and
work together to escape. Bring your family, friends, and
coworkers for an hour of quality time together. Bolivar Escape Room |
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Go
Water-Sliding |
In
Crystal
Beach, Fun Spot Waterslide is one of the oldest water
slides on the coast. For years, young and old have been
hurrying to the top the top of the slide and positioning
themselves for the coolest ride down to the bottom pool
of crystal clear water. |
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Tour
the
Bird Sanctuaries |
Bolivar
Peninsula
is one of the top birding destinations in the world, as
enthusiasts from around the world flock to the area for
the chance to view the spring or fall migrations that
pass through this part of the coast. The Houston Audubon Society manages
and maintains several bird sanctuaries on Bolivar
Peninsula and High Island. |
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Play
Golf |
The
Crystal Beach Community Golf Course
is a 9 hole, par 35 layout. The course is short enough
for the casual golfer, and on windy days, can challenge
even the low handicappers. Cart rental available, so
come on out and play a round. |
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Play
Miniature
Golf |
The
Gulf
Range
Miniature Golf Course opened in Crystal Beach
across from the post office. The custom 18-hole layout
is ADA compliant with wheelchair access on each hole.
This is a family fun venue complete with a practice
green in the shape of Texas, of course. |
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Texas
Crab Festival |
The
Texas
Crab Festival on Mother's Day weekend offers
family fun with lots of music, art, and crabs. It’s a
full weekend of family fun on the Texas Gulf Coast. So
grab your mom, grab the family and boogie on down to
Bolivar Peninsula for the biggest beach party of the
year! |
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| FUN
ON
THE
BEACH |
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Boogie
Board
the Waves |
The
Bolivar
waves are often just right for boogie boarding. Paddle
your board just ahead of a breaking wave and ride it all
the way to shore. This is fun for all ages. |
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Build
A
Sand Castle |
Building
a
sand castle on the beach can be buckets of fun! This is
your chance to be creative, you have all the beach and
sand you need. Find seashells or sea glass to or plenty
of other treasures lying on the beach to decorate your
sand castle. Your imagination comes to life on the
beach. |
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Collect
Seaglass |
Seaglass
is
small pieces of glass that have been tumbled by the
waves and worn down by the sand. The glass is opaque,
and to a beach combers delight will come in various
colors. You can find them in green, blue, all shades of
brown, white and even red or orange if you’re lucky!
Bring them home as reminders of your wonderful
experience on Bolivar Peninsula. |
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Find
a
Shark Tooth |
There
are
plenty of shark teeth along the beach, but it takes a
trained eye to spot them. These are actually fossilized
teeth from sharks that lived millions of years ago. The
typical color is black, or very dark gray, and the shape
is triangular and pointed. The size can vary, but most
of the shark teeth found along the beach are no more
than one-half inch in length, and many are smaller. If
you happen to find one larger, you have a real treasure. |
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Look
for
a Sand Dollar |
Sand
dollars
are not easy to find these days, but with a little luck
you may be able to find a whole one. Even finding broken
segments is a delight to the average beachcomber. You
are most likely to find sand dollars at low tide,
especially after a storm. |
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String
Shells |
Broken
whelks
and other conch-type shells are frequently found along
the beach. Take a piece of string or twine long enough
to drag behind you, and tie one of these shells to the
end. As you walk along, thread the ones you find on the
string and see how long you can make your shell line. |
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Identify
Shore
Birds |
On
Bolivar
Peninsula, all sorts of shorebirds can be identified.
Immediately you will see pelicans and seagulls flying
overhead, or several species of terns and egrets.
Perhaps you will see the beautiful American Avocet or
the colorful Roseate Spoonbill. |
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Play
Beach
Games |
While
soaking
up the sun and fun, try a game of volleyball or washers,
or horseshoes, or frisbee toss, all great games on the
beach. |
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Kayak
in
the Surf |
Kayaking
can
be fun and enjoyable, and is also a great low-impact
workout. Launch in the surf and paddle out past the
breaking waves. Relax in the gentle swells and view the
beach from the water side. Then catch a wave for an
exciting ride in. NOTE: Always were a life jacket. |
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Fly
a
Kite |
Kites
are
a great way to relax and enjoy the beach. Buy them at
our local stores and have a blast. The kids will love
them! Kites are available in several shapes, sizes and
styles, and there is always a nice breeze off the Gulf
to support kite flying most any time of year. |
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Catch
a
Hermit Crab |
Surprise!
That
shell you just picked up may be somebody’s home! Hermit
crabs are found all along the beach in the shallow
waters. Hermit crabs curl up into a shell and live
there. Pick one up, they will pull back into their shell
and protect themselves with their claw. Place the hermit
crab on your open palm and remain still, they will often
come out of their shell and begin to move. |
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Make
a
Sand Casting |
Mold
the
sands of time during your visit to the beach. Using
plaster of paris, you can cast just about any object.
Make a mold of your hand or foot; decorate with shells
or seaglass found on the beach. Try a sand cast of a
fish! Use your imagination for a unique beach memory. |
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Treasure
hunt
with a
Metal Detector |
A
fun and rewardable activity on the beach is using a
metal detector. All sorts of treasures are to be found
on the Bolivar Peninsula and there are great
opportunities to be a DETECTIVE with your metal
detector. So go out there treasure hunters!
NOTE: Metal Detectors not allowed at Fort Travis
Seashore Park. |
 |
Watch
the
Sunrise |
What
a
great way to start your day, watching the sunrise on the
beach. Take in the beautiful colors. Listen to the waves
lapping against the shoreline. Feel the warmth as the
sun slowly crawls above the horizon. Sunrises are
perfect opportunities for taking pictures. |
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Build
a
Campfire |
Some
of
the most memorable times are sitting around a camp fire
enjoying family and friends. Tell tall tales, laugh, and
roast marshmallows. Campfires are allowed on the beach,
just check to make sure there is currently no Burn Ban
in effect. And always extinguish your fire before
leaving. |
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Pop
Fireworks |
Fireworks
are
allowed on the beach. A few times a year, stands are
open selling a huge variety of pyrotechnics. Set up your
own display and enjoy the dazzling array of colors, or
sit back and watch the numerous other shows going on. |
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| DAY
TRIPS |
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Click on image for more
information
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Anahuac
National
Wildlife
Refuge |
Anahuac
National
Wildlife Refuge is a vast expanse of coastal marsh and
prairie bordering Galveston Bay. The 34,000 acre refuge
is home to an abundance of wildlife, from migratory
birds, to alligators, to bobcats, and more. |
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Galveston
Historic
Tour |
Galveston
Historic
Tour provides daily driving tours of historic Galveston
on a 12 passenger electric shuttle. This sight seeing
tour gives visitors an overview of Galveston's history,
sights, and attractions. |
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Galveston
Harbor
Tour |
Don't
miss
this chance to get a new perspective on Galveston Bay
and the historic Port of Galveston. Knowledgeably
narrated tours explore the wide variety of birds and
marine life that teems in the Bay. The human activity in
this busy port can only truly be appreciated from the
water. |
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Segway
Tours of Galveston |
Take
a Segway tour of Galveston for the adventure of a
lifetime, the most entertaining way to tour the city.
Segway Galveston offers several different guided tours
throughout the year, including the Magical History Tour,
the Tree Carvings Tour, and the Haunted Legends Tour.
Segway is so much fun! |
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Galveston
Pleasure Pier |
The
Galveston
Island Historic Pleasure Pier features family oriented
attractions including rides, midway games, food venues
and retail shops. Some of the rides are over the water,
soaring over the Gulf of Mexico! The Pleasure Pier is
located on Galveston Island at 25th & Seawall Blvd. |
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The
Strand
District |
This
36-block
Strand Historic District in downtown Galveston holds
everything one could desire: clothing, souvenirs, art
& antique galleries, and excellent restaurants.
Attractions include: Galveston County Museum,
Railroad Museum, Victorian architecture from the
1800s, horse & carriage rides through town, and
even a giant chess set in Saengerfest Park. |
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Moody
Gardens |
Aquarium,
rain
forest, IMAX theater, museum, white sand beach, this
tropical destination is ideal for families and groups
alike. |
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Kemah
Boardwalk |
Restaurants,
shopping,
amusements, rides, events throughout the year that
appeal to all ages. The Fun Never Stops. |
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San
Jacinto
Monument |
Experience
the
world's tallest monument tower and walk the battlefield
that gave birth to the American West! |
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Schlitterbahn
Waterpark |
Daring
speeds
slides, endless rivers, uphill water coasters, waves for
surfing, splashing and relaxing, plus kid-friendly water
playgrounds. |
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Space
Center
Houston |
Space
Center
Houston houses the history of the space program. It is
the only place on Earth that gives guests an
out-of-this-world journey through human adventures in
space. Space Center Houston features a multitude of
permanent exhibits and attractions, and presents an
amazing array of traveling exhibits and astounding
events. |
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Port
of
Houston Boat Tour |
Experience
an
unforgettable waterborne voyage through one of the
busiest ports in the world aboard the Port of Houston
Authority's FREE public tour boat! The Houston
Ship Channel is recognized as a feat of civil
engineering. It connects Houston to the world and the
port remains the nation’s leading port in terms of
foreign tonnage, and 2nd in overall tonnage. |
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