84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
36%
46
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
Decent day for sunbathing.
Thunderstorms · 82°F water · 84°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 84°F air — ideal beach weather
- 36% rain — pop-up showers possible
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
42 /100
ok
32 Swim
67 Sunbathe
36 Walk
42 Fish
33 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Water level 0.7 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
84°F
Clear
Wind
15 mph
E
Rain
36%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
83°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Barometer
29.99 inHg
1016 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
7:18 AM
Sunset
9:14 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:53 AM | High | 1.9 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
83°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
73%
16
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
46%
34
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
25%
46
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
32%
46
86°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
20%
46
86°
Mostly Sunny
12%
85
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 36% rain chance
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.
Minor
11:10 PM - 12:10 AM
Major
3:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Minor
9:20 AM - 10:20 AM
Major
4:10 PM - 6:10 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