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Galveston from the water

Galveston from the water. There is a plethora of ways to watch all life on the water and enjoy the stunning scenery that surrounds it. Whatever options you prefer, just the fact that you’re alone or with friends and family offers some of the best sightseeing angles and people watching (the water is always bustling with activity on a nice day) that Galveston has to offer. Soak up spectacular views of the sun and sunsets as it displays an array of colors dancing on the water’s surface. Get to the coastline and explore Galveston from the water!

Beach

With 32 miles of shoreline Galveston Island offers something for every kind of beachgoer. Any beach you decide on will surely give you the repose or adventure you are looking for.

Surf the coast

The dirty little secret is that Galveston can get some pretty fair surf so why not grab a board and surf a wave? If you’re a beginner, check out Ohana Surf and Skate or C-Sick Surfin’. Surfing is for all ages.

Power Ride or glide on a Kayak

For a laid-back exploration, plan a Galveston kayak tour. There are several companies that offer single and tandem kayak tours. Enjoy the sunset on the water and bring your favorite beverage to toast the end of another beautiful island day. Check out www.beachtowntours.com/kayak-tours or choose a cruise and relax while you coast around Galveston Bay. If you prefer to power your exploration, there are also several jet boat rentals available for your perfect island day. Visit www.galvestonwateradventures.com.

Jump out of the water

Probably one of the most popular boat tours is to watch the dolphins splash and play. Head over to Pier 21 to select your time and boat. While you are there, stop and visit the Texas Seaport Museum and the tall ship Elissa. The ship was built in 1877 and is considered one of the finest restored historical vessels in the US. If you want to see more, drive over to nearby Seawolf Park for a peek at a WWII-era US Navy submarine and the USS Stewart, a destroyer from the same period.

Catch of the Day

Galveston’s location makes it a top spot for fishing, which ranks among the most popular Galveston water activities so why not fish with a local expert? The area has several companies that offer fishing excursions, listed below are 3 that you may consider.

Angler Charters caters to groups. All trips can be customized with catering, beverages, time extensions and sail time, providing the perfect adventure.

Captain Cody offers bay and offshore fishing charters that specializes in catching large fish close to shore but will take visitors as far out as 70 miles.

Reel Men Fishing Charters  offers options and gear for a day reeling in the fun as well as sunset and bay cruises.

For the naturalist

If you are a nature enthusiast, head to Galveston Island State Park, where you can go walking along the boardwalks, kayaking through the bayou, and bird-watching on the bay side. The beach side area of the park (south of FM 3005) is closed to all visitation until 2022 due to renovations.
There are a number of trails and boardwalks over dunes and marshes as well as observation platforms. You can swim, fish, picnic, bird watch, hike, mountain bike, paddle, camp, geocache with the kids, study nature or just relax! The park also does a good job of presenting family activities on a regular basis, so be sure to check the calendar and visit the nature center to learn more about the park and its programs.

Paddle Your Heart Out

Explore the State Park by Paddle. There is a plethora of paddling trails to choose from. https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/coastal/galveston/

The Galveston State Park does not rent canoes or kayaks however, there are a few options for rentals and shuttles:

Staff and Friends of Galveston Island State Park has supplies on a first come first serve basis as well as trained kayak guides who can accommodate groups of up to 15 people for scheduled kayak tours.

Artist Boat has certified kayak instructors who can lead you to great water explorations.

Austin Canoe and Kayak rents out kayaks, canoes and standup paddle boards by the day. http://www.austinkayak.com/rentals.php

REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) rents kayaks, canoes, paddles and PFDs (personal flotation devices). Visit your nearest REI co-op to see what’s available closest to you.  http://www.rei.com/FindStores?state=TX&radius=900

If you still need more reasons to get excited to explore Galveston Bay from the water, check out the wide range of resources for a virtual activities to build up momentum https://www.galvestonnaturetourism.org/virtualactivities/. Get to the coastline and explore Galveston from the water!

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