Low visibility and strong waves all along the Texas Gulf Coast all the way down to South Padre Island means snorkeling in Galveston is not a good way to spend your time.
Once the most populous city in the Lone Star State, Galveston is now one of America’s most beloved resorts only one hour away from Houston. The island gained its nickname as the Oleander City due to the prevalence Nerium Oleander, a tropical evergreen.
Its reputation as a tourist destination has remained strong since the Prohibition and Galveston sees more than seven million visitors a year. Not too dissimilar from its other resort barrier islands in Texas, there are plenty of activities to do and parties to go to. But with strong waves and murky water on this side of the Gulf of Mexico, the conditions are not ideal to go snorkeling in Galveston.
Galveston Snorkeling Profile:
- Water Visibility: Poor. The sediments from the mighty Mississippi River tend to flow all the way over here down the Texas Gulf Coast.
- Current Strength: Average. The waves by the Gulf are less consistent than the oceans but still have to be careful.
- Coral Presence: None.
- Marine Life: Not much around the shore.
- Crowd: Can get crowded but relatively light compared to its more famous sisters further south.
Getting There
Closest Major Airports:
William P. Hobby Airport (Houston, TX) – 40 miles away, 40 minutes by car
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston, TX) – 60 miles away, 75 minutes by car
- The only airport onGalveston Island, Scholes International Airport at Galveston, is a general aviation airport. Therefore, if you are flying commercial, you need to fly into the two Houston airports. Hobby is the closer of the two, just miles south of downtown Houston, but there are only a handful of flights per day. Unless you reside in one of the few cities that connects to Hobby, the more convenient and likely economical option is to come into George Bush.
Closest Major Metro Area: Houston, Texas
- Galveston is a sizable city itself with over 50,000 residents. But that does not compare to nearby Houston, about an hour away, the fourth-largest city in the country with approximately seven million people in the metro. Houston is renowned for its diverse and multi-cultural attractions, including Museum Row, which is home to nineteen museums and galleries. Many visitors to Galveston spend a few days in Houston. This allows them to soak up the sun by the coast and soak up the culture in the city.
Recommended Method of Transportation to Destination: Fly into George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Drive to Galveston.
- The distance from the airport to Galveston is not desirable, but flying into George Bush is likely the fastest and most economical route in. Hobby is obviously the better choice but only budget airlines such as Southwest and Frontier maintain heavy presence there. It would be wise to rent a car during your stay, as ride share in Galveston Island can be expensive and unreliable at times. The island is quite sizable and it’s not an area that you can walk around all the time. There are plenty of options for meals and big stores, such as Kroger, on the island so you don’t need to go back to mainland, but having a car will be immensely beneficial.
Introduction
Galveston’s rich history dates back to the Spanish Empire, when the land granted by the king was named after Count Galvez, hence, Galvez’town. It served as a strategic port during the Mexican War of Independence as well as the Texas Revolution. It was also briefly the capital of the new Republic of Texas. The Ashton Villa in Galveston is where General Gordon Granger announced to the last group of African-American slaves that slavery is no longer legal, which is now the national holiday of Juneteenth.
Galveston became a major port and a commercial center during the late 19th century. However, the Hurricane of 1900 destroyed most of the town and Galveston faded into irrelevance. It revived as a major tourist destination and the center of illegal activities during the Prohibition. Galveston continues to live up to its name as a vacation hotspot to this day.
Some of Galveston’s most famous attractions include the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, The Strand in downtown, and Galveston Schlitterbahn waterpark. The endless miles of coastline along the Galveston Island produces some of the finest beaches in Texas, including East Beach, Stewart Beach, and Sunny Beach. The Strand hosts the annual Mardi Gras festival, the largest of its kind in Texas, every February, and also Dickens on the Strand every Christmas.
How is Snorkeling in Galveston, Texas?
Galveston has a reputation as a premier resort destination on the Texas Gulf Coast. It is well known for the pier, its beaches, and the various seasonal festivals that light up the town. Unfortunately, underwater activities are not ideal in Galveston, or really all along the Texas Gulf Coast all the way down to South Padre Island. The water visibility across the Texas Gulf Coast is, in general, below average. The water in Galveston, specifically, is very murky.
The currents in the Gulf of Mexico rotate counter-clockwise and all the sediments flowing down from Mississippi River flow into Galveston. There are also plenty of rivers around the Houston area, such as Trinity, that deposit silt into the waters. In addition, the waves are stronger in Texas as the winds in the Gulf of Mexico blow west and thus the wave heights are greater. All in all, these conditions do not make snorkeling in Galveston attractive.
Several places of interest in the area, such as Galveston Island State Park, may appear to contain potential for ideal snorkeling conditions. But West Bay, which faces the park, contains lots of silt as well and thus the visibility remains poor. The water conditions will be similar all throughout the area, so you may have to settle for hiking or biking in this beautiful park; amazing alternatives to snorkeling in Galveston with the murky water.
Final Word:
Galveston may have lots of things going on, but underwater activities are not one of them. Take a stroll down the beaches, go enjoy yourself at the pier, or get some snapshots of the festivals. There are still plenty of activities to do in Galveston, not to mention in Houston which is about an hour away. But better to save your time and money to go snorkeling in more worthwhile locations rather than Galveston.
Snorkeling in Galveston, TX Rating: 1/5 Snorkels – Yuck, Find Something Else to Do!
Great website. Plenty of useful information here. I’m sending it to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks on your sweat!