About Crystal Beach and Bolivar Peninsula

Bolivar is a narrow peninsula on the upper Texas coast between the Gulf of Mexico and East Galveston Bay. It lies in a northeasterly direction separated from Galveston Island by the Houston Ship Channel and the Bolivar Roads, 3 miles wide. Free Public Ferries link the Peninsula with Galveston Island. The Peninsula is called "an offshore sandbar at the eastern end of a chain of islands extending along the Texas and Mexico coasts". The widest point of the Peninsula's 27 miles is between Crystal Beach and Caplen, (about 3 1/2 miles). It is also known as a barrier peninsula. Bolivar Peninsula was named in honor of Simon Bolivar (1783-1836), a freedom leader fighting to free South and Central America from Spanish rule. The industries of Bolivar Peninsula are mainly tourism and commercial fishing, concentrating on harvesting and marketing shrimp, crabs and oysters. Their boats are docked at the seafood houses, and are a great photo opportunity on a summer evening. There are five small communities on the peninsula. Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach, Caplen, Gilchrist and High Island, none of which are incorporated. Crystal Beach has the largest population. It is primarily a resort community catering to summer tourists. There are several hundred beach houses available to rent on a weekly basis from the many real estate companies, or individual home owners. The rental units are all privately owned homes with full kitchens and sleeping facilities for families of any size. You will find a variety of fine restaurants, grocery stores, a bank, water slide, night clubs, gift shops, convenience stores - even a golf course!