With 32 miles of shoreline stretching from east to west, Galveston’s beaches offer something for everyone - from quiet escapes to lively gatherings. Whether you're a local or a visitor, the island’s public beaches provide year-round access (weather permitting) to sun, surf, and a wide range of amenities. 

 East Beach is Galveston’s largest and liveliest stretch of sand, offering everything you need for a carefree day by the water. The beach features a spacious pavilion with a cantina serving food, drinks, and cold cocktails - plus free Wi-Fi to keep you connected. 

 Visitors can rent chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas, or pick up essentials like towels, boogie boards, and sunscreen from the on-site beach shop. It’s also the only beach on the island where alcohol is permitted, adding to its reputation as Galveston’s go-to destination for special events and laid-back gatherings. 

 Stewart Beach is Galveston’s premier family beach park, recognized as one of the “10 Best Beaches for Families” by Family Vacation Critic. Conveniently located where Broadway Avenue meets the Seawall, it offers a wide range of amenities designed for comfort, safety, and accessibility. 

 

 Visitors will find showers, restrooms, changing rooms, and beach wheelchairs available at no charge - making the beach experience inclusive for all. Families can enjoy a shaded children’s playground, chair and umbrella rentals (weather permitting), and regular supervision by highly trained lifeguards. 

 Stewart Beach also hosts seasonal events like sandcastle contests and volleyball tournaments, adding to its reputation as a safe and lively destination for all ages. 

 Galveston’s Seawall beaches are part of Seawall Urban Park, the city’s signature beachfront stretch - more than 10 miles of coastline along Seawall Boulevard, offering a vibrant mix of recreation, relaxation, and local flavor. 

 Visitors will find multiple public restroom and outdoor shower stations spaced at regular intervals along the Seawall, making it easy to rinse off and freshen up after a swim or sandy stroll. These facilities are accessible throughout the day, with some locations offering changing areas and ADA-compliant features. 

 The Seawall beaches also host a mix of concessionaires, from frozen treat stands to umbrella setups. For those looking to get active, jet ski rentals are available at 39th Street and Seawall. 

 An annual Seawall parking pass costs $45 and grants unlimited parking along Seawall Boulevard for one year from the date of purchase. Passes are non-transferable and monitored by license plate registration. You can buy the pass through the PayByPhone app - simply select “12 months” for the duration. 

 Owners of vehicles displaying valid handicap tags or placards, as well as disabled veterans (including recipients of the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Former Prisoner of War, Pearl Harbor Survivor, and other qualifying plates), are exempt from parking fees. Exemption applies only when the vehicle is transporting the person to whom the special plate or placard is registered. 

 For all other visitors, parking is $2 per hour with a two-hour minimum and a daily maximum of $16. Paid parking is enforced daily from 10am to 6pm, 365 days a year. 

 Priced at $50, the Seasonal Beach Parking Pass allows unlimited entry to Galveston’s Park Board-managed beach parks for a full year - East Beach (R.A. Apffel Beach Park), Stewart Beach Park, Dellanera RV Park, and West End Pocket Parks. 

 

 For $95, the Ultimate Beach Parking Pass combines unlimited Seawall parking with year-long access to all beach parks (East Beach, Stewart Beach, Dellanera RV Park, and West End Pocket Parks). Both passes are issued as window decals and can be purchased year-round at Dellanera RV Park and at the Park Board office downtown. 

For complete details on parking rules, permit locations, and seasonal updates, visit the Galveston Park Board’s Beach Parking Passes page. 

 The Galveston Park Board is charged with both stewarding Galveston’s 32 miles of shoreline and marketing the island as a premier beach destination. Through active partnerships with the City of Galveston, state and regional agencies, and local businesses, the Board balances tourism promotion with hands-on environmental protection and public safety. 

 The Park Board offers several programs to involve volunteers in beach upkeep, such as the Galveston Beach Ambassador Program, Up2U Galveston Free Trash Bag Campaign, the Beach Toy Borrow Box, and Women in Coastal Science. 

 Located at 61st Street and Seawall and at East Beach Park, beach toy borrow boxes let families borrow beach toys at no cost and also donate gently used toys instead of leaving them behind - cutting down on marine debris. 

 A collaboration with the Nueces River Authority, the Up2U free trash bag program dispenses bright yellow, reusable trash bags from wooden boxes at East Beach, Stewart Beach, Seawolf Park, the Seawall east of the 61st Street Fishing Pier, and Beach Access Point 29. 

 Beachgoers fill a bag with litter, deposit it in Park Board receptacles, then keep the bag for future clean-ups. According to Chris Stanley, Park Board Director of Communications, stewardship of Galveston’s parks and beaches is a community-wide effort. 

 “If you pack it in, please pack it out. Trash cans are located all along the coastline and on top of the Seawall for your convenience and to keep Galveston clean, green, and pristine,” he said. 

 For more detailed information about Galveston beaches, visit visitgalveston.com, then click on “Things to Do” and then on “Outdoor Activities.”