Beaches good for swimming,close to Houston (Galveston, Freeport: rental, house)

[doejj]

People who know the beaches in the area can comment on the subject.

[texas7]

The only beach close to Houston is Galveston. Good for swimming? Thousands of tourists and some locals are in it all summer and having a good time. It is a murky, brown colored water - not necessarily from pollution but more from the flow of the mouth of the Mississippi into the Gulf. Silt. Beach sand is not soft, siftable sand but more of a packed thick sand - mudlike consistency. It is all in what you want and what your expectations are. Panama City, FL white sand and crystal clear water -- not near the Texas coast anywhere.

[oceangaia]

I think Freeport is easier to get to from most of Houston, a straight shot down 288 and less traffic overall. Same type of beaches.

[garxhap]

Port Aransas is just a bit farther down the coast. I think it's a two hour or so drive. It is a pleasant area and the beaches are nice. And since it's farther from the Mississippi, the water is a bit clearer. It's a nice area for a weekend visit. Rockport, which is nearby, is an interesting little tourist/bay town. I think the area has about ten thousand people. It is very laid back and friendly.

[texas7]

Port Aransas and Rockport are quite a bit farther from Houston so depends on what kind of time you want to spend to get to a beach. As far as "close" mileage-wise to Houston - it's Galveston. Straight down 45-S (Gulf Freeway).

[oceangaia]

Using door to door, Google maps shows mileage from downtown Houston to Galveston as 51.8 miles, downtown Houston to Freeport as 65.4 miles. Not a significant difference so it's not just Galveston. Straight down 288 (Nolan Ryan Expressway).

[tstone]

If you're going to swim down there, make sure you're in good condition healthwise:

galveston flesh eating bacteria - Google Search

Galveston is cool to visit for an afternoon, and even though my health is 100% A-OK, my shoes stay on. Even though nothing would likely happen, I'm not one to take chances down there.

Texas coast = blah.

[oceangaia]

To be fair, you could input "miami flesh eating bacteria" or "california flesh eating bacteria" and get similar results from those areas.

[tstone]

Thanks, now I know of 2 other places my shoes stay on!!

When I was in Cali last time, it was too cold anyway.

[sandcastledreams]

The beaches of Galveston aren't really that bad. The Beach patrol have been keeping the beaches cleaner than they used to. It really depends on the weather too as to the cleanliness of the waters. We went last year only a block from our rental house in the middle of Galveston and the water was as clean and clear as glass. There wasn't even any waves. My husband bought out his cast net and we actually got 5 lbs of Jumbo shrimp right in the middle of the island by our rental. It was a great place to be. The island has also cleaned up alot from what most remember. If you ever want to know how to enjoy the beaches of Galveston that are closer to you than Florida or other nicer beaches just ask an islander how to enjoy as we can always help you out as to the popular spots and times to enjoy the beaches of Galveston. We also know where to go to get a great rental that isn't well known, not as high priced and great amenities. You may want to invest in some water shoes if you don't like sharing the ocean floor with the sea life but I've never had a problem with all that the media talks about that is harmful. You just have to be aware of your surroundings and listen to your inner self as to the decisions that are made.