If you’re looking for a spot on the Texas coast to get away from it all and enjoy sun-soaked days on the beach, Sea Isle is the place to be. This community on the West End of Galveston Island trades amusement parks and souvenir shops for quiet canals and uncrowded sands.
Located about midway between Galveston Island State Park and the San Luis Pass that connects the Gulf of Mexico to Galveston Bay, Sea Isle is full of great vacation home options, many just a short walk away from the coast. Pack up and head over to the quiet side of Galveston for your next beach escape.
Getting to Know Sea Isle
Photo Credit: Alexander Hatley via Flickr CC2.0
- seaislegalveston.com
- Public Beach Access: 21906 Kennedy Dr, Galveston, TX
- Public Parking: There is a gravel parking lot with a wooden boardwalk leading down to the sand.
About 20 miles from Downtown Galveston, the Sea Isle community on the West End of the island is a peaceful escape right on the beach. The neighborhood of residential and vacation homes has amenities like a playground and pavilion, private fishing pier, swimming pool, and tennis court, some of which renters can access with a paid pass.
One of the best parts about staying in Sea Isle is its distance from the more touristy parts of Galveston. On this end of the island, you’ll trade buzzing water parks and dozens of restaurant options for empty beaches and quiet nights listening to waves roll in.
Sea Isle Beach offers a tranquil escape, popular with locals and guests at nearby vacation rentals. While parking is available, visitors should note that there are no lifeguards, restrooms, or concessions on site.
Best Time to Visit Sea Isle
Photo Credit: Alexander Hatley via Flickr CC2.0
Galveston Island and the Sea Isle community are a year-round vacation destination, with warm beach weather for several months of the year. Each season has pros and cons, which we’ve broken down below.
Spring in Sea Isle
Galveston’s spring season starts to see the temperatures and crowds picking up to peak levels as the months roll on. Afternoon temperatures average in the mid-70s for March through May, sneaking up into the 80s toward the end of the season.
March and early April can be a busy time for Spring Break travel and the end of May brings the first of the summer crowds, so it’s best to reserve your vacation rental well in advance during these times.
Summer in Sea Isle
Hot island summers in Galveston are perfect for sun-soaked days on the beachfront in Sea Isle. High temperatures between June and September average in the mid-80s, with some afternoons peaking in the 90s.
The breezes from the Gulf of Mexico and pop-up summer showers help keep the heat in check, but you may also want to plan some indoor activities or take breaks back at your vacation rental during the hottest times of the day.
Fall in Sea Isle
Fall in Galveston is a great time to vacation in Sea Isle. Daytime high temperatures average in the upper 70s to low 80s in fall.
With summer crowds dwindling by early September, the beaches will be emptier, and the Gulf water will still be warm enough to swim well into the season. There are also a lot of fun island events in this season, including
Galveston winters bring cooler temps and tons of festivals to the island. Since high temperatures average in the low 60s during this season, the beaches are usually pretty empty. Enjoy walking on the sand, looking for shells, and nearby dining on the waterfront, and biking along the Seawall.
Holiday festivities like Dickens on the Strand kick off the season, while January and February bring fun events like:
Things To Do in Sea Isle
The Sea Isle neighborhood in West Galveston Island is a peaceful residential area perfect for a low-key and relaxed beach vacation. Stretching from the bay to the Gulf across a narrow strip of the island, Sea Isle offers about a mile and a half of sandy beachfront.
While there isn’t a long list of amenities and activities just within the Sea Isle community, popular Galveston attractions are just a short drive away. Plus, the quiet neighborhood offers a playground for the kids, a marina restaurant with a patio, and a local vendor for golf carts and boogie board rentals.
This is the ideal spot to get away from it all and enjoy quality time with the whole family on the beach.
1. Enjoy a day on the beach
Photo Credit: Alexander Hatley via Flickr CC2.0
There’s no better way to spend a day in Sea Isle than on the beach! Since this is a residential neighborhood with vacation rentals instead of hotels, it doesn’t get as crowded as some other parts further east. While parking is available, the waterfront is also walkable from many of our beachfront vacation rentals here.
With over a mile of Gulf shorefront along the Sea Isle Gulf coastline, there is plenty of space to spread out for sand castle building, beach volleyball, picnics, or just relaxing under the sun.
2. Play in the water
Sea Isle is the perfect spot on Galveston Island to try out some water sports. Whether you want to catch some mini waves or paddle around exploring, there are tons of fun options.
There is a local golf cart rental shop called K6 Island Sports that also lends out surfboards, boogie boards, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards, but other Galveston vendors will deliver to this area as well. You can even rent a board for a few days or a week at a time to use during your whole beach vacation.
3. Book a fishing charter
Photo Credit: Sarah Worthy via Flickr CC2.0
If you’ve come to the coast for some fishing, head to Sea Isle for inshore angling charters out into the Galveston Bay. Frenzy Guide Service offers half and full-day outings for pros or newbies that depart from the West End Marina in Sea Isle. The experience varies day by day, but you may catch speckled trout, flounder, redfish, Spanish mackerel, and black drum.
Other Nearby Places to Visit
Photo Credit: Mark Taylor Cunningham
Thanks to its location on the West End of the island, Sea Isle is a quiet respite with beautiful views away from the more touristy zones of Galveston. While some of the popular Galveston attractions like Moody Gardens, The Strand, and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier are about 20 miles away, nearby, you’ll find a scenic state park and empty beaches.
Check out these nature filled spots near Sea Isle you don’t want to miss during your vacation.
- Galveston Island State Park
- Terramar Beach
- Laffite’s Cove Nature Preserve
- San Luis Pass Beach
- San Luis Pass County Park
- Jamaica Beach
Where to Stay Near Sea Isle
From days on the sand collecting sea shells and building castles to outings on the bay for paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing, Sea Isle offers lots of fun ways to enjoy the island vibes in Galveston.
The West End neighborhood makes a great base for sun-soaked Galveston getaways. Many of the spacious vacation beach homes here are right on the Gulf, multiple canals, or bay.
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