Galveston Travel Forum

I currently live in Missouri but, I am planning to move to Galveston over the summer. I have read many reviews about Galveston having dirty beachs, with muckey water. I have also read several reviews stating that this is not true or that the beach is clean during the summer. Please help this is a major factor in my move...

I am a native Texas (live in Dallas), but have taken many a trip to Galveston. It's true what you've heard about the beach - murky water, lots of seaweed strewn along the beach - but the city is very good about keeping the beaches themselves clean. The town itself is very nice, eclectic, and laid-back. The people who live there have a lot of pride for their town - as you may know, the city was wiped out by a hurricane in 1900. But it was of course rebuilt and many of the older buildings and architecture are historic and beautiful. I think if you don't go to Galveston with the expectation of beautiful, pristine beaches, but enjoy it for what it is and keep an open mind, then you won't be disappointed. It is a fun place!

Yeah, the sands are clean but the water isn't. However, it is basically bath tub water (80's) in the summer, which is very refreshing considering the normal temp of the oceans.
Galveston is also one of the few beaches in Texas where they've banned driving down the beach as well as drinking alcohol (although East Beach still allows the latter), which also makes the experience better. Plus it's still fairly undeveloped and you can pull down a side lane for beach access right off the highway. Galveston the town is very nice as well. Lots of historic stuff to see, and you can always hit some of the sites and shopping in Southeastern Houston.
hth

The beaches are clean. The water is murky, not because of pollution, but becuase of mud and silt from the rivers and the ship that flow into it. It's not murky everyday. On good days when the wind direction is right, the green water (clear water) can be all the way up to the beach.

Marc