San Luis Beach
Galveston, TX
San Luis Beach sits at the far western tip of Galveston Island, the last stretch of sand before San Luis Pass cuts the barrier island off entirely. It's noticeably more open and undeveloped than the beaches closer to the seawall, with cars driving right onto the sand and nothing much beyond the dune grass and the pass itself.
The open, undeveloped feel is a real draw for locals tired of the seawall crowds, but the dangerous currents right at the pass mean this is a sand and shoreline beach, not a swimming one.
How we score beachesStay out of the water near the pass itself. Signs now warn against swimming or wade fishing there because the currents shift fast and have caused more than a dozen drownings since 2001.
Drive on beach parking is free along Termini San Luis Pass Road, with no dedicated lot.
Vehicles drive straight onto the sand, no walk in required, though the ground softens the closer you get to the pass.
Leashed dogs are welcome.
Wind picks up through spring, drawing kiteboarders to the open water near the pass, while summer keeps the drive on sand busy with families. Hurricane season runs June through November.
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