Outdoors In Galveston
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After the ornamental plant was planted all over the island after the Hurricane of 1900, Galveston has adopted the title of “The Oleander City.” Known for their toxicity and beauty, oleanders thrive in Galveston due to its climate and soil. The Betty Head Oleander Garden Park provides a safe space to experience over 30 varieties of these poisonous flowers. Here, you will find comfortable benches, soothing fountains, and winding walkways surrounded by exquisite gardens and colorful blooms. This quaint, ADA accessible park also puts on various events during the year, including Yoga in the Park and the International Oleander Festival.
Professional anglers and novices alike will enjoy the 61st Street Fishing Pier. You can bring your own gear or rent a rod and buy bait and tackle right at the pier. In addition to tackle, the pier offers an assortment of snacks, beer, wine, margaritas, pizza, hot dogs, and more. You can also purchase a souvenir from the gift shop to remind you of your time in Galveston or grab a warm cup of joe from the coffee shop. 61st Street Fishing Pier also hosts fishing tournaments, birthday parties, family reunions, corporate events, and more. Admission ranges from $1-$12 per day, depending on age and a maximum of two rods per person is allowed, with rods not exceeding 10 feet in length. No glass containers or pets are allowed on the pier and anyone over the age of 17 must have a fishing license.
With sharp turns and accelerated speeds, the Suntime Jetboat Thrill Ride is the perfect outdoor attraction in Galveston, TX for adrenaline junkies. This rip-roaring adventure also features a maneuver called “The Hamilton Spin,” which throws a high wall of water into the air while spinning the boat 360° on its axis. The ride lasts around 25 minutes, and the minimum age is 4 years old to ride. Each boat holds 11 passengers, and the company recommends wearing clothing that you will not mind getting wet.
Fusing their passions for the Gulf Coast, public service, and horses, native residents of the island founded Galveston Island Horse and Pony Rides. With carefully selected and trained horses, along with an experienced staff, you can rest assured that you will have an exciting and safe experience. These guided horseback rides take you along a riding trail that follows the shoreline around the outskirts of East Beach, where you will pass both sea turtle and bird sanctuaries. From there, you will ride past the south jetty on the southeast tip of the island, around the to the ship-channel side of the beach. Your tour ends with a scenic ride beside a stunning natural lagoon that reveals wildlife on one side and a tranquil beach on the other.
Remembered as one of Galveston’s most catastrophic natural disasters, Hurricane Ike covered the island in a tidal surge in September of 2008. One of the most devastating casualties was the destruction of thousands of the beach town’s beloved trees. But, a few years after the hurricane, island locals came together to give the majestic oak trees a second life, by carving them into whimsical sculptures. From popular movie characters to animals and historic figures, these works of art can be found in many yards and gardens throughout Galveston, especially in the East End Historic District. Take a self-guided tour by car, bike, or foot to see these spectacular sculptures in person. First, head to the Galveston Visitor Center at 24th Street and Broadway Avenue J to pick up a map and suggested route of these 21 works of art.
There is no better way to explore Galveston’s outdoors than by taking a ride on a bike, scooter, surrey, golf cart, or moped. Check out some of the island’s most popular spots to rent one of these land vehicles to feel the salty ocean air blow through your hair and the warm sun on your skin.
- Island Bicycle Company: This laid back shack offers an array of self-guided bike tours, bike rentals, and surrey rentals.
- Coastal Bike Rental Shop: Rent everything from scooters to cruisers, E-bikes, and surrey bikes at this Seawall shop touting excellent customer services and fun rides.
- Saltwater Gift Shop: Discover a large collection of hourly rentals at this sprawling island shop. Here, you will find Polaris Slingshot Rentals, mopeds, electric scooters, gas scooters, golf carts, four-wheeled surrey bikes, two-wheeled bicycle beach cruisers, tandem bikes, E-bikes and more.
- Pedego Electric Bikes: Situated in a convenient Seawall location, this shop offers a wide assortment of electric bikes for rent alongside E-bike tours and accessory sales.
On top of discovering the island via land vehicle rentals, you can also experience Galveston by sea with these rentals. Whether it be a paddle board or a boat, you can get up close and personal with the waters of the Gulf when you rent one of these water vessels.
- SUP Gulf Coast: Paddle alongside ocean friends such as dolphins and sea turtles on a stand-up paddle board from SUP Gulf Coast. You can also rent a surfboard or take lessons from this lively island shop.
- Galveston Kayak Outfitters: In addition to kayak rentals, this store also offers paddles, lifejackets, and delivery anywhere on the island. You can also sign up for a 3-hour sunset paddling tour along the bay and wetland shoreline.
- K6 Island Sports: Family owned and operated; this fun shop calls itself “your fun in the sun headquarters.” Located in Sea Isle, K6 offers golf carts, kayaks, paddle boards, bicycles, boogie boards, and skimboards for rent. They also sell golf carts, Costa sunglasses, Yeti Coolers, fishing tackle, and more.
Finney Boat Rentals: This island retailer features a variety of boats available for rent, including everything from ski boats and fishing boats to larger pontoon boats and yachts. They also offer several excursions such as dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, inner tubing, fishing, celebration of life cruises, romantic cruises, birthday outings, and bachelor/bachelorette parties.
