Riding the Galveston to Port Bolivar ferry can be a free, fun and rewarding experience for all ages. There are a tremendous number of things to see during the trip: historical shipwrecks, lighthouses, forts, beaches, small water craft, and shipping traffic. I didn't mention the amazing wildlife. The trip is a favorite for birdwatchers and dolphin lovers. Best of all, there is a way to skip the long line and get right onto the ferry, no waiting! Show
Two Ways To Ride The Galveston to Port Bolivar FerryDrive On To FerryDriving Advantages: You can go to Fort Travis, located only a couple of minutes drive from the Port Bolivar Ferry Landing. You can also take stuff with you easier. You can also visit a beach on the Bolivar Peninsula that you can drive onto (you may have to pay in some places to park on beach). Driving Disadvantages: You must wait in the line of cars on both sides of the ferry. First Check Ferry Wait TimesOne thing to know, the average trip time is 18 minutes. During busy periods, multiple ferries run, but the cars waiting also increase. Do not worry if the reported wait time is too long, instructions for walking onto the ferry is below. To check the official wait time there are two options: Houston TranStar: Galveston Ferry Wait InfoThe government has an integrated web page with live traffic maps and reports the ferry wait time. The page includes web cams of the ferry line in Galveston, and a real time map with ferry locations! The wait information may be more accurate on Twitter, as it appears to incorporate both sides into one wait time. Twitter: Galveston Ferry Wait Time FeedTxDot updates the Galveston Ferry Twitter Feed hourly with the wait time. If the wait is uneven (longer on one side than the other) they will give wait times for each landing, both Port Bolivar and Galveston. Get Into LineDo not cut the line, even at an intersection. You must drive away from the ferry, to the end of the line, u-turn, and get in line at the end. There are many signs with instructions, asking drivers to queue up for the ferry in one lane, leaving the second lane for emergency and non-ferry traffic. Walk On To FerryWalking Advantages: You do not have to wait in the ferry line with all the cars! If you are just riding the ferry for fun and plan to just ride across and back, you actually miss waiting in line twice. Walking Disadvantages: Visiting Fort Travis becomes a lot less comfortable since you will not have a car with coolers, picnic supplies, fishing equipment, etc. Walking onto the ferry is the fastest way to ride the ferry. If you drive, you have to wait in line twice to board the ferry in both directions. Walking eliminates these waits. [Instructions Pending] Site Seeing On Galveston - Port Bolivar Free Ferry TripThere are a ton of things to see during the ferry trip. The 18 minutes pass like magic, and the ride stays fun and enjoyable for repeat trips. Here is a list of things you can almost always see during your voyage. Please check out our article on the ferry ride! Skip to main content {{navigationAriaMessage}} Arrival Date Departure Date Located an hour away from Houston, Galveston Island is a stunning gulf coast destination perfect for individuals looking to
escape the bustling city and enjoy some laidback fun. Galveston Island has an endless array of fun things to do and see and if you’re looking for free fun, riding the Galveston Ferry is an excellent choice. Here’s what you
need to know about riding this popular vessel before you hop aboard. The Galveston Ferry Service first opened its doors to the public in 1929. It was municipally owned until the Texas Highway Department took over the reins in 1985. Today, the service operates six diesel-powered ferries 24/7. Each ferry is about 185ft long, with a speed of 12 knots, and can complete each trip in about 18
minutes. It has an upper observation deck and a sitting area with windows all around, so you can enjoy scenic views, whether sitting or standing. The Galveston Ferry takes nine minutes to load but may take longer depending on traffic. The vessels can hold about 70 vehicles, 500 passengers, and six crew members per trip. The maximum weight limit for all vehicles is 80,000 pounds. Photo Credit: oceanpropertycd via Instagram The Galveston Ferry ride is the only link between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. One vessel operates round the clock, while the second one comes in at 6.30 a.m. The third Galveston Ferry opens its doors in the afternoon, and during peak seasons, you may find all six ferries in operation. The ferries take turns ferrying passengers to the other side, and the operating schedule is spaced out depending on traffic for maximum efficiency. Although the night schedule varies, the first-night ferries depart from their respective docks at midnight. Visit the Houston Transtar website for specifics on the schedule before you head out. How to Get to the Galveston Ferry Photo Credit: joselinecarias via Instagram The Galveston Ferry is relatively easy to find. From Houston, take Interstate 45, and stay on it until it turns into Broadway at Mile Marker 0. Heading east, continue driving on the Broadway, and you’ll soon notice signs leading you to the Galveston Ferry Landing. Note, queues can get quite crazy, especially during summer, and because their boarding process is a bit complex, car queues are always long. So, unless you have a lot of time on your hands, it’s best to park your car at the Galveston Port and board the ferry as a passenger. Besides the queues, coming with your car is quite hectic since you’ll have to drive around Port Bolivia looking for a route you can use to turn and go back to the return ferry. Why Ride the Galveston FerryPhoto Credit: mikimichaelplot via Instagram Galveston Island is a beautiful out-of-town destination, and riding the Galveston Ferry is the best way to feel its rhythm. Here are good reasons to ride the Galveston ferry: Incredibly Scenic Views, Dolphins, and Other Unique AttractionsThe Galveston Ferry ride might be only eighteen minutes long, but it’s enough to create memories that last a lifetime. Enjoy panoramic views of the breathtaking ocean on the upper observation deck, or take an evening ride for a picture-perfect sunset. Watch the giant ships sail in and out of the Houston Ship Channel and snap pictures and videos of dolphins following shrimp boats for free shrimp dinner. You’ll also see The Selma, an experimental concrete oil tanker built during the First World War. It sank in the early 1920s, and all that’s remaining is a picturesque concrete vessel sticking out of the water. If you’re more interested in interacting with nature, you’re welcome to spend your eighteen-minute ferry trip feeding seagulls from the back of the ferry. Dolphins sometimes accompany Galveston ferries during the entire ride, making the trip even more fascinating. On your way back from Bolivar, grab snacks and munch away as you enjoy unobstructed views of the Bolivar Lighthouse and Fort Travis. You’ll also see Sea Wolf Park, the U.S. Coast Guard Station, and the Galveston Yacht Basin on the way back. It’s FreeInitially, the Galveston ferries were only available for paying customers. After Galveston County sold the ferries to Texas, the boarding fee was increased to 25 cents to manage traffic. However, the service was made free in 1949, and now today, you can enjoy riding the Galveston Ferry without spending even a penny. Hop on the Galveston Ferry TodayRiding the Galveston Ferry is truly a unique and fun experience. The trip is only eighteen minutes long, but it’s an opportunity to experience nature at its best. What’s more, it’s free and is only an hour away from the city, so you have no reason not to go. Sign up for our newsletter today and get updates on exciting things to do and places to visit in Galveston Island and the greater Houston area. Can you get to Galveston without taking the ferry?No, you do not have to ride the ferry. We just rode it as we left Galveston for home.
How much does the ferry in Galveston cost?The Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry takes travelers on SH 87 between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. The service is free.
Can you drive on Galveston Island?West of the Seawall (on the same road) is West Beach. Here you can drive onto the beach and it is free. Cars on the beach are not beautiful, but it sure is easy. Just drive on to the packed sand, back up to the water and have everything you need without hauling bags and chairs and coolers and kids.
Is there a difference between Galveston and Galveston Island?Galveston Island (/ˈɡælvɪstən/ GAL-vis-tən) is a barrier island on the Texas Gulf Coast in the United States, about 50 miles (80.5 km) southeast of Houston. The entire island, with the exception of Jamaica Beach, is within the city limits of the City of Galveston in Galveston County.
|
Do you have to take a ferry to get to Galveston Island?
Copyright © 2024 SignalDuo Inc.
