Travel
Flight
Airports
Houston has two airports. HOU: William P. Hobby Airport IAH: George Bush Intercontinental Airport Hobby Airport is fewer miles if using the ferry to Crystal Beach, Bolivar Peninsula. This route may have a ferry wait time and we encourage you to click on the link for real time information. You can also opt to drive around the peninsula via I-10. The I-10 route typically takes 1 hour 40 minutes. Bush Intercontinental Airport has the option of driving around the peninsula via I-10 (recommended if lodging on Bolivar Peninsula) or taking I-45 to Galveston and crossing via the ferry. The drive via I-10 will typically take 1 hour 45 minutes. Galveston - Port Bolivar Ferry Wait Times: http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/ferrytimes/ferrywaittimes_travel.aspx
Travel Note
Galveston - Port Bolivar Ferry
The Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry takes travelers on SH 87 between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. The service is free. One vessel is in operation 24 hours per day. A second vessel will be placed in service at 6:30 a.m. After this departure, the two vessels will operate based on traffic volumes, and will space themselves to carry traffic as efficiently and safely as possible. A third vessel will be placed in service during the afternoon period in necessary. Up to five vessels may be operated for summer and holiday traffic.
Travel Note
Crystal Beach and Bolivar Penninsula Lodging
Crystal Beach, located on Bolivar Peninsula, offers many home and vacation rentals. There are two motels, Crystal Palace Resort and Saltwater Inn on the peninsula. Crystal Palace Resort has been recently updated in 2023 and Saltwater Inn was updated in 2021. Saltwater does not have a website, but you can see their rooms on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/crystalbeachmotel/ and make reservations by calling (409) 684-8392. There are condos named Salty Suites. You can book the condos through https://www.visitcbtx.com/, VRBO or Airbnb. There is a Bed & Breakfast named Out By The Sea. For information, click here https://outbythesea.com/ Use your favorite search engine to search lodging in "Crystal Beach", "Bolivar Peninsula" or "Gilchrist". There are several property management companies on the peninsula such as Cobb Real Estate, Swedes Real Estate and Sand Dollar Realty. Vacasa, VRBO and Airbnb offer excellent options as well. (Please note, many of the homes listed on VRBO & Airbnb are listed by a management company. To avoid paying double the booking fees, book directly through the management company.) Get an RV delivered to Camp Margaritaville. Home of Fins Bar & Grill Restaurant and License to Chill Bar. There's a family pool and a 21-and-over adult pool with a swim up bar! Kids Park, Arcade, Concerts & Events and much more. https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/camp-margaritaville-rv-resort-crystal-beach-tx Let Kyle or Michelle know if we can help!
Travel Note
Galveston Lodging
Galveston offers many options for lodging. Please note, if staying in Galveston, you will need to take the ferry to get to Crystal Beach. Information for the ferry is above.
Travel Note
Beach
Bolivar Peninsula encompasses 27 miles of Beach Shoreline on the Upper Texas Gulf Coast. The beach in Crystal Beach Texas and on Bolivar Peninsula is one of a kind, and the last of its kind. Vehicles are allowed to drive on, park and enjoy all 27 miles of coastal waters. Easy access to the beach by most cross roads off Hwy 87. Make sure you purchase your yearly beach parking permit from any of the many local shops or stores on Bolivar or in Crystal Beach Texas, cost is $10 for the year. We recommend AWD or 4-WD vehicles. For day-trippers, the most popular roads to use to get to the beach include Rettilon Road (closest to ferry landing), Crystal Beach Road, Kahla Drive and Stingaree Road Please note the following: *Stay off the dunes! *Glass is prohibited, fine up to $250 *Annual Beach Parking Pass is required-$10 *This beach is technically a road and rules of the road apply. Speed limit is 15 mph *Fishing license required for anyone over 16 years *No bonfires allowed – contained campfires and cooking grills are allowed *Open container laws apply to all vehicles (including ATVs, ROVs, golfcarts) Click the link below for Beach Rules
Travel Note
Crystal Beach and Bolivar Penninsula Shopping
If lodging in Crystal Beach or Bolivar Peninsula, The Big Store is your one stop shop for groceries.
Travel Note
Crystal Beach and Bolivar Penninsula Dining
Click the link below to view a list of current restaurants.