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General Information
Level:0-10 Season:January 1 — December 31 -
Galveston itself is a 32 mile long island just off Texas, with the Gulf of Mexico away to the south east. Interstate 45 goes directly into the city from the nearest commercial airport at Houston, which is only a 40 minute drive away. It is considered to have a charming Southern feel, and is popular tourist destination, receiving over 5 million visitors every year.
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Beach
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These are soft and sandy, and there are 32 miles of them on the island so there is plenty of room to pick your spot.
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Wind&Waves
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Galveston gets the heat from Mexico, with summer temperatures in the 90’s and winter rarely dropping below the 50’s. The Texas coast gets plenty of wind, so the area is also popular with wind surfers and kite surfers. The area has a reputation for having small, choppy surf, but it’s a bit unfair – that really only applies in the summer, when it can be a little inconsistent. When there is a storm system in the Gulf or a big weather system moves through the area the surf can rival anywhere in the world. The most consistent spots are along the Seawall.
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Facilities
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There is plenty to do on the island if you aren’t in the water. There is a waterpark, botanical gardens, not to mention the flight and drilling museums, and even a few historical ships. There are plenty of hotels and lodgings, ranging from overnight accommodation to longer stays, and a wide range of restaurants.
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Safety
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The bay shoreline of Galveston is often hit by large storm surges during the hurricane season in summer and winter. Inexperienced surfers should keep clear of the piers and jetties, but the Beach Patrol flies a red flag when they believe conditions aren’t safe.