Celebrate the Water with These Fun Watersport Activities
A day in Galveston on the water may conjure up visions of sun, sand, and seaweed. But this little island is jam-packed with wet activities that offer so much more and extends far beyond the beach. There is an abundance of things to do in Galveston on the water.
From beaches to water parks to tours to boat and ferry rides, we’ll show you how to make the most out of Galveston’s amazing bay and Gulf waters.
The Seawall
First, let’s start with the basics. Galveston’s best beach offers 10 miles of sun, sand, and swimming. Bring a picnic lunch or take advantage of the many great beachfront restaurants along the wall, just a short walk from the sand. Paid parking is available, paid by the hour, day, or season.
Where the Fishing is Great
Take your pick of fishing along the surf or in the bay – there are many places to cast your line. Galveston anglers can expect a healthy mix of redfish, speckled trout, amberjack, flounder, cobia, catfish, black drum, blacktip shark, bull shark, alligator gar, mullet, king mackerel, pompano, and red and vermillion snapper. The nutrient waters offer a wide variety of habitats for all sorts of marine species.
The best fishing spots in Galveston are 61st Street Pier, 91st Street Pier, Galveston Island State Park, Seawolf Park, and San Luis Pass Beach. If you’re looking for more of an immersive fishing experience, consider booking an off-tour fishing trip. Local experts will lead you to the best places to catch marlins and large tuna.
Schlitterbahn
Get away from the beach while still indulging in the wet stuff. A great place for the whole family, Schlitterbahn has a fun variety of water rides for all ages, including a lazy river, heated pools, and MASSIV, the world’s tallest water coaster! Rent a cabana for the day; it’s your little ‘home base’ to come back for short breaks and to recharge for the next adventure. You can bring your own food or sample the 16 different food and beverage options throughout the park.
Galveston Island Ferry
This is a unique water activity, and best of all, it’s FREE. Travel to and from Bolivar Peninsula on this fantastic ferry, in which you can both walk on or take your car if you will be continuing your journey. During the ferry ride, be on the lookout for fish, dolphins, and birds. It is only a 20-minute ride each way but is a unique perspective of the surrounding waters.
Take A Cruise or Jetboat Ride
During the spring and summer months, Galveston Water Adventures hosts groups both large and small for an exciting jet boat ride or sunset cruise. The ½ hour jetboat adventure speeds through Galveston Bay, and is suitable for those ages 4 and up due to the pace and 360-spins. Conversely, the sunset cruise is much more chill, and is only available for adults, as beer and wine are served. It’s 2 hours of relaxation on an open-air boat, and the perfect scenic shot is virtually guaranteed.