88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
64%
20
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
Skip the beach today.
64% rain · Thunderstorms · 86°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 83. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Weather
- 88°F air — ideal beach weather
- 64% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 86°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- UV 12 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
12 /100
skip
8 Swim
29 Sunbathe
1 Walk
9 Fish
24 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
88°F
Clear
Wind
5 to 10 mph
S
Rain
64%
Today
UV Peak
12 Extreme
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~17m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Water
Water Temp
86°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
8:30 PM
-0.9 ft · in 5.2h
Wave Height
2.3 ft
SE swell
Barometer
30.11 inHg
1020 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
7:27 AM
Sunset
9:20 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:51 AM | High | 2.1 ft |
| 8:30 PM | Low | -0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:35 AM | High | 2.1 ft |
| 9:26 PM | Low | -0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:14 AM | High | 2.0 ft |
| 10:25 PM | Low | -0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:51 AM | High | 1.9 ft |
| 12:35 PM | Low | 1.5 ft |
| 3:17 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 11:21 PM | Low | -0.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 7:28 AM | High | 1.7 ft |
| 12:58 PM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| 4:43 PM | High | 1.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:13 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 8:01 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 1:37 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 6:05 PM | High | 1.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:02 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 8:30 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 2:28 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 7:53 PM | High | 1.2 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8771341, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
68%
19
85°
Showers And Thunderstorms
78%
16
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
39%
33
89°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
45
89°
Mostly Sunny
6%
80
89°
Mostly Sunny
3%
80
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 12 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 86°F
- recommended Rain cover + dry bag 64% chance of rain
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 88°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
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
11:10 PM - 1:10 AM
Minor
4:50 AM - 5:50 AM
Major
11:40 AM - 1:40 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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula) today?
Crystal Beach (Bolivar Peninsula) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
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