86°
Sunny
2%
85
Galveston County, TX · Gulf of Mexico
Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula)
The main public beach on the Bolivar Peninsula, reached from Galveston via the free Bolivar Ferry. Drivable, dog-friendly, less crowded than Galveston Island. Quintessential Texas beach culture — pickups on the sand, fishing rods, and weekend crowds in summer.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
86°F water · 86°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 83. South wind 15 to 20 mph.
Weather
- 86°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 86°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
83 /100
great
80 Swim
81 Sunbathe
87 Walk
85 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
86°F
Clear
Wind
10 to 15 mph
S
Rain
2%
Today
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
86°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
7:39 PM
-0.2 ft · in 4.9h
Barometer
30.05 inHg
1018 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
7:20 AM
Sunset
9:21 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:54 AM | High | 1.7 ft |
| 7:39 PM | Low | -0.2 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
86°
Mostly Sunny
1%
85
86°
Mostly Sunny
0%
85
86°
Sunny
0%
76
86°
Sunny
0%
85
87°
Sunny
0%
85
87°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
53
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 10 to 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 86°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
9:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Minor
3:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Major
9:50 AM - 11:50 AM
Minor
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free with Beach Access Sticker ($10/year for non-Bolivar residents, available at local stores).
Dogs
Dogs allowed leashed year-round.
Entry Fee
$10/year Galveston County Beach Access Sticker for parking on the beach.
Address
Crystal Beach, TX 77650
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula).
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula) from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula) dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed leashed year-round.
Is there an entry fee at Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula)?
$10/year Galveston County Beach Access Sticker for parking on the beach.
Are there lifeguards at Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula)?
No lifeguards are stationed at Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula). Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula)?
Amenities at Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula) include restrooms at major accesses, beach driving permitted, restaurants in village, ferry to Galveston.
When is the water warmest at Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula)?
The Gulf of Mexico is bathwater-warm by mid-summer — 84-88°F is typical from July through September on the FL Gulf, TX coast, and AL/MS coast. Swimming comfortable from April through October on most of the Gulf.
Where is Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula) located?
Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula) is in Galveston County, TX, at Crystal Beach, TX 77650.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS