Bolivar Peninsula offers many options for recreation or relaxing. Whether you decide to stay on the Peninsula for dining, drinking, fishing, or playing in the sand or you venture a short 10 miles to Galveston Island, you can be assured there is always something to entertain everyone’s whim.
Galveston-Bolivar Ferry Ride
Approaching the Bolivar Peninsula from Galveston Island, visitors will be delighted to find the bay crossing will be accomplished by driving onto a free highway department ferry boat.
Dolphins sometimes accompany the 588 ton ferries on their three mile crossing, and often ocean-going ships may be seen on their way to or from the wharfs at Galveston, Texas City or Houston. Passengers may also enjoy feeding the sea gulls from the back of the boat and the view from the observation deck is magnificent.
This thirteen minute mini cruise always provides a thrill for children and a pleasant experience for adults. Bring your camera.
Birding
The subdivision where The Ritz is located, adjoins an estuary and protecting nesting zone. Year-round, the area’s bird sanctuaries are full of visitors (both two-legged and winged) and people come from all over the world to experience the spring migration of hundreds of bird species that travel along the Gulf Coast and beyond as they head northward. Approximately 10,000 people, from all 50 states and a dozen foreign countries visit the High Island sanctuaries each year. A typical birder can observe over 100 species in a week.
Kayaking
Sometimes it’s hard to know if you’re looking at kayakers or Texas-sized pelicans far out in the ocean. If you’d like to join the former group, check out Latitude 29.2 Surf Shop (409-684-0594) to rent kayaks especially made for the beach and for fishing.
Locals advise that the best place to catch trout is where Crystal Beach starts to bend toward Galveston.
(Excerpt taken from http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/)
Golf Cart Recon
A rented golf cart from Golf Car Connection (409-963-7725) is a great way to haul people and coolers up and down the beach and become immersed in the Bolivar Peninsula experience. And you don’t have to worry about getting a parking sticker.
The Golf Car Connection
1746 Hwy. 87
Crystal Beach, Texas 77650
Fort Travis Seashore Park
The nearly 41-foot-tall structure, built in 1925, is covered in soft earthworks that protected and camouflaged the battery. Cactuses look down at curious tourists from the roof of the structure.
Picnic tables are scattered across the park for those who want to enjoy a picnic while contemplating the solitude of the sea. But the mosquitos like the solitude too, so bring spray.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For information, call 409-934-8100.
(Excerpt taken from http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/)
Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
It’s hard to find something you can’t do at this Crystal Beach venue, located at 1369 Texas 87. Tiki (409-84-9594) is a bar, restaurant, concert venue, karaoke spot and dance hall all in one. You can play shuffleboard and horseshoes and even twirl a hula hoop.
Two giant wooden chairs outside are great for pictures. The patio is divided into covered and uncovered parts, and each has a stage for concerts.
If you get tired of the moist beach air, slip into the air-conditioned interior and play some music on the jukebox while you throw down one of the massive, juicy burgers the place is known for.
(Excerpt taken from http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/)
Stingaree Restaurant & Marina
No Bolivar experience is complete without a stop at Stingaree (409-684-9530). Enjoy a seafood platter with a view of the Intracoastal canal on the Bay side of the peninsula as a side dish.
The restaurant, located at 1295 N. Stingaree Road, has a main dining room upstairs and a bar downstairs.
The bar downstairs, known as, “DownUnder” is a prime spot to take in the sunset and dine on a smaller menu of burgers and soft shell crab tacos. The bar also hosts free live music and is always bustling with faithful locals who ensure the venue will remain while others come and go.
(Excerpt taken from http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/)
Fanta Sea BBQ & Grill
Fanta Sea (409-286-2160) has been around a couple years, but when you ask around the peninsula where folks like to hang out, Fanta Sea comes up as often as the Stingaree.
Locals swear by the pulled pork, the pirate burger and the Shipwreck, a cheeseburger topped with bacon and an onion ring sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches.
(Excerpt taken from http://www.beaumontenterprise.com)
Steve’s Landing
The best thing about the summer hours at the beach is eating dinner when the sun is setting. For prime views of the sunset, head to Steve’s Landing (409-684-1999) at 1290 Bay Vue Drive. Sit outside on one of the swings, cocktail in hand, and watch the boats on the Intercoastal. Head inside to check out the massive menu, filled with Asian-inspired beach cuisine, including Kingfisher shrimp pakora, a salmon masala wrap and Baja shrimp tacos with cabbage slaw, onions, jalapenos and mango salsa.
(Excerpt taken from http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/)
The Big Store
Gulf Coast Market, known on Bolivar Peninsula as “The Big Store,” (409-684-2400) is a market with enough foodstuffs to put on a banquet to feed your whole family, but you’ll also find fishing poles, boats, clothes, gifts and even paint!
The 70,000-square-foot store opened in 1986 and is an institution on Bolivar. If you want the ins-and-outs of Crystal Beach and beyond, go to The Big Store and chat with owner Keith Zahar. He’s spent his life on Bolivar and may be able to tell you a thing or two.
Helicopter Rides
Helicopter rides are available now in Crystal Beach. Parked in the lot next to Tiki Beach Bar & Grill, pilot Cobbie Callaway provides a visual treat of the Bolivar Peninsula.
Come take an adventure, soar along the beach, see what we look like from high in the air!
Pictured below are Cobbie’s teammates, Meagan, Joshua and Katie.
(Excerpt and photo taken from http://www.crystalbeachlocalnews.com)
Chartered Fishing Trips
Captain Bryan Brawner is a full time professional fishing guide on Bolivar Peninsula and Crystal Beach and has fished the Galveston Bay Complex for years. Capt. Bryan knows the best spots to fish in any month of the year. He offers trips tailored for family enjoyment or for the serious angler looking for that trophy fish.
Corporate and multi-boat trip packages are also available year-round.
Crystal Beach Charters
409-256-1265