Crystal Beach Attractions

Fun Things To Do - Crystal Beach and Bolivar Peninsula

EXPLORE BOLIVAR
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	Fish at Rollover Pass	Rollover Pass is a two-hundred foot wide channel that joins the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay. The pass was constructed in 1956 for the purpose of improving fishing in the bay, and thousands of local and visiting anglers have found it highly successful. As the name implies, it permits fish to swim from the gulf the the bay and vice-versa with the changing tides. Even if you do not intend to fish, Rollover Pass is a sight to see.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	Go Skydiving	A bird’s eye view of the beach is a glorious sight. And now thrill seekers can experience that view right here in Bolivar. Blue Skies Skydiving Center offers tandem sky diving, so you can soar like a bird and feel the wind zoom by.
	Festivals on Bolivar	Bolivar Peninsula is home to great festivals. The Texas Crab Festival on Mother's Day weekend offers family fun with lots of music, art, and crabs. The Texas Frog Fest on Memorial weekend supports the Lone Survivor Foundation, and the Jane Long Festival, held on the second Saturday of October, is a tribute to the life of the “Mother of Texas”.

FUN ON THE BEACH
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.

DAY TRIPS
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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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	The Strand District	This 36-block Strand Historic District in downtown Galveston holds everything one could desire: clothing, factory outlets, souvenirs, art galleries, 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.
	Moody Gardens	Aquarium, rain forest, IMAX theater, museum, white sand beach, this tropical destination is ideal for families and groups alike.
	Kemah Boardwalk	Restaurants, shopping, amusements, rides, events throughout the year that appeal to all ages. The Fun Never Stops.
	San Jacinto Monument	Experience the world's tallest monument tower and walk the battlefield that gave birth to the American West!
	Schlitterbahn Waterpark	Daring speeds slides, endless rivers, uphill water coasters, waves for surfing, splashing and relaxing, plus kid-friendly water playgrounds.
	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.
	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.