90°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
37%
24
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.
Thunderstorms · 87°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 105. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 82. Heat index values as high as 103. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 90°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 37% rain — pop-up showers possible
Water
- 87°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
24 /100
skip
20 Swim
46 Sunbathe
18 Walk
19 Fish
28 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
90°F
Clear
Wind
10 mph
SE
Rain
37%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
87°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
9:23 PM
0.2 ft · in 2.1h
Barometer
30.12 inHg
Steady · buoy 42035
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
7:00 AM
Sunset
7:31 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:29 AM | High | 1.8 ft |
| 9:37 AM | Low | 1.4 ft |
| 2:10 PM | High | 1.7 ft |
| 9:23 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:49 AM | High | 1.7 ft |
| 10:07 AM | Low | 1.2 ft |
| 3:35 PM | High | 1.8 ft |
| 10:22 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:06 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 10:42 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 4:49 PM | High | 1.8 ft |
| 11:16 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:19 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 11:17 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 5:54 PM | High | 1.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:02 AM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 5:28 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 11:52 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:02 PM | High | 1.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:48 AM | Low | 1.2 ft |
| 5:31 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 12:28 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:24 PM | High | 1.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:48 AM | Low | 1.4 ft |
| 5:28 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 1:07 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 9:45 PM | High | 1.9 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8771341, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
42%
28
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
57%
21
87°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
58%
21
88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
37%
30
89°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
33%
30
88°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
24%
36
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 87°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 37% rain chance
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 90°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
10:50 PM - 12:50 AM
Minor
5:00 AM - 6:00 AM
Major
11:10 AM - 1:10 PM
Minor
6:20 PM - 7:20 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