Bolivar Peninsula

The Bolivar Peninsula is a fragile coastal landscape on which wise people do not settle. The point was hammered home to long-term Bolivar residents in 2008 when Hurricane Ike wiped most of the local communities off the map. Miles of flattened beach homes and RV communities were left as little more than rubble strewn across the sand. A few hardy souls have since re-built, while most migrated to safer, drier inland locations. Newcomers have snapped up empty beach properties, often building million-dollar "castles in the sand", proving that just because you're rich doesn't mean you're smart. Lightning may not strike the same place twice, but hurricanes often do.

You'll want your own car to get around the Bolivar Peninsula, either that or you're going to be stuck within a few blocks of the Port Bolivar ferry landing. Bikes could be a good way to get around, and Fort Travis is close enough to the ferry landing to make for a nice seaside ride.

• 🌍 Fort Travis Park, 900 TX SH 87. Seaside park with a long history as a military post to protect the channel into Galveston Bay. First built by the Mexican Army in 1816 as earthen ramparts, the modern Fort Travis was built in 1898-1899 with concrete bunkers and two batteries (Davis and Ernst) with disappearing gun emplacements. Battery Kimble was built following World War I and had 12-inch guns with a 17-mile range. During World War II 2500 troops were stationed at the fort and another shore battery (Battery 236) was built with 6-inch guns. The troops kept watch for the constant threat of German U-boats to American oil supplies shipping out of the ports of Galveston and Houston. Today, tourists can walk around the concrete bunkers and enjoy the grassy fields overlooking the Gulf shores. 

• Fishing - you can do surf fishing along 28 miles of shoreline up and down the peninsula, marinas and fishing guide services are available in Port Bolivar and Crystal Beach if you'd like to charter a boat for some deep-sea offshore fishing. Consult the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for information about licenses and regulations.

• Birdwatching - The Bolivar Peninsula lies directly on the path where two of North America's major flyways converge, making it an important conservation zone and an excellent place to observe migrating bird species. Major wildlife reserves adjacent to Bolivar Peninsula are the 🌍 Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge immediately to the north, and the 🌍 McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge immediately to the east. Additionally, the Audubon Society maintains several bird sanctuaries on 🌍 High Island, which are popular during the spring migration season because you can see a "fall out" as the birds arrive from crossing the open Gulf and because a number of marine birds nest on High Island (including the magnificent roseate spoonbill).

• Beaches - The entire peninsula is a beach and you are allowed to drive your car onto the beach (after purchasing a beach permit, available at several local convenience stores or bait shops). Popular beach access points include: - Bolivar Flats, - Bolivar Beach, - Port Bolivar, - Crystal Beach, - Ramada Beach, - Gilchrist, - Beach Coast, - High Island Beach

There's oddly little to eat at either end of the Bolivar Peninsula, but midway, around Crystal Beach are several restaurants.

• 🌍 La Playita, 703 Madison Ave, Port Bolivar, ☏ +1 409-684-1383. 7AM-9PM. Local Mexican restaurant with good food and friendly service. Doesn't look like much from the outside, but the food is good. $10. (updated Aug 2023)
• 🌍 Stingaree Restaurant and Marina, 1295 N Stingaree Dr, Crystal Beach, ☏ +1 409-684-2731. 11AM-9PM. Waterfront seafood restaurant facing the East Bay, variety of frozen margarita flavors, steaks available. Gets busy, especially on weekends. (updated Aug 2023)
• 🌍 Tia Juanita's Fish Camp, 2275 TX-87 #15, Crystal Beach, ☏ +1 409-684-5006. 11AM-9PM. Fresh seafood prepared as you like, but the house specialty is fresh oysters on the half shell. (updated Aug 2023)
• 🌍 Tiki Beach Bar & Grill, 1369 TX-87, Crystal Beach, ☏ +1 409-684-9594. 11AM-9PM. Friendly, casual place with burgers, steak sandwiches, fries, etc. Gets busy on weekends and service can get slow. (updated Aug 2023)
• 🌍 Jose's Cantina, 1021 TX-87, Crystal Beach, ☏ +1 409 684 1180. 7:30AM-10PM, closed W. Lively place with seafood and Mexican dishes. Seafood is usually fried and a bit greasy but otherwise good. Gumbo is recommended and kids like the alligator bites (hmm, tastes like chicken). (updated Aug 2023)

There are few hotels on the Bolivar Peninsula but a large selection of hotels are available in nearby Galveston. Many people who want to stay on the Bolivar Peninsula rent a beach house for a week or weekend, some of these are available via Airbnb, but the best are often available only through local realty offices. RV camps are very popular, especially near Crystal Beach. Some are small affairs for only a handful of RVs, others serve a few dozen.

Cell phone reception is generally good along state highway 87. 5G service is good in Port Bolivar (which is close to Galveston) but may drop to 4G (or lower) as you cross the peninsula and then head north.

• Galveston
• Beaumont
• Houston