Annual Galveston Beach Pass | Visit Galveston (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to pay to get into Galveston Beach? ›

Alcohol is prohibited, but vehicle access to the beach is entirely free and reaches all the way to the water's edge. The Galveston side of San Luis Pass is a public beach located at the far western tip of the Island.

Fee: $2 an hour with a two-hour minimum, not to exceed $16 / day, yearly passes available* Operation: 10 AM – 6 PM, 7 days a week, 365 days per year. Payment Options: PayByPhone or call 866-234-7275 or call 409-797-5198.

There is hourly, or annually, paid parking in two areas - Downtown and the Seawall. In certain residential areas, residents are required to register for a free parking permit and will be given visitor passes for guests.

The first Beach Access Point west of the blue water tower, this beach is ideal if you want to drive and park on the beach. The area east is wide open for parking all the way to Beach Access Point 35.

Is it free to go to Galveston beach? Yes, visiting Galveston beach is completely free. While you may need to pay for parking on the Seawall, enjoying a beautiful sunrise or sunset from any of the beaches won't cost anything. Various beaches in the area offer a fantastic experience without breaking your wallet.

There are also free parking zones located on the north side of Seawall Boulevard in the following areas: between 12th and 19th streets, 33rd and 39th streets, 53rd and 61st streets, and 85th to the 9100 block of Seawall.

You will need a Pier Pass in order to gain admittance to the Pleasure Pier. The Pier Pass only allows you to enjoy the Pier, but NOT to experience the rides.

Galveston Only Allows Beach Camping In Designated Areas

To overnight beach camp in Galveston, you would need to be in one of the designated beachfront campsites located in Galveston Island State Park and on the Bolivar Peninsula.

A walk along Galveston's 10-mile long seawall, sitting at a height of 17 feet above sea level, offers an excellent vantage point to survey the shore. In a winter 2020 blog, I suggested a beachfront walk from the West end of the seawall to Galveston's 91st Street Fishing Pier.

What time is parking free in Galveston? ›

Galveston Parking Rules:

Galveston has some nice parking rules. Most of the metered spots in Downtown are free of charge on Sunday. Downtown: parking meters are enforced from 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. Seawall: parking meters are enforced from 10 AM to 6 PM, Daily.

Parking areas

There is a paid parking lot across from the Pleasure Pier next to Fish Tales (about $10 per day), plus extra parking nearby.

Alcohol is permitted at East Beach/Apffel Park, Porretto Beach, and west of 61st to 16 Mile Road. Alcohol is prohibited in all other areas on Galveston Beaches. Glass of any kind is prohibited on all Galveston beaches. ... Pets are allowed on all Galveston Beaches, so long as they remain on a leash.

Is it safe to swim in Galveston beaches? Yes, the water is safe to swim in.

Parking Fee

Parking fees range from $12 to $15 per vehicle depending on the day or event. They may or may not accept cards so make sure you have cash on hand just in case. You can purchase a Seasonal Beach Parking Pass for $50 which gets you into East Beach, Stewart Beach, Dellanera RV Park, and West End Pocket Parks.

In Texas, public access to Gulf Coast beaches is not just the law, it is a constitutional right. Walking along the beach in Texas has been a privilege since Texas was a Republic, and the Texas Land Commissioner protects this public right for all Texans by enforcing the Texas Open Beaches Act.

Is it safe to swim in Galveston beaches? Yes, the water is safe to swim in.