Spring in Galveston brings sunny days perfect for hitting the salty beaches that line the Gulf Coast. The island is known for its 30-plus miles of sandy shoreline, family-friendly attractions, and historic downtown.
From beach days to roller coasters to kayaking in state parks, Galveston brims with fun spring break activities for all ages. Booking a Galveston vacation rental near the Gulf or Bay is the perfect way to enjoy it all.
In this guide to spring in Galveston, we’ll share everything you need to know about visiting the coast this time of year, from what to pack to the best things to do and see.
Spring Weather in Galveston
Warm and sunny days are the norm for spring in Galveston, making the perfect conditions for spending time outdoors. From March through May, daytime high temperatures on the island usually range from the low 70s to mid-80s, while lows average from the low 60s to mid-70s.
Toward the beginning of spring, average water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico average in the low 70s, but by May and June, the water is plenty warm enough for swimming. Rain showers are common throughout the year here, but spring is one of the driest seasons, with average precipitation hovering around 17%.
You can expect lots of beautiful and sunny days to spend on the sand when you visit Galveston in spring!
Spring Activities in Galveston
Get Festive at Galveston’s Spring Break
With the warm, sunny weather, Galveston makes the perfect spring break destination at the beach. This is a popular place to go for both Texans and out-of-staters during the school holidays, so make sure you reserve your accommodations in advance for the best availability.
If you’re traveling with family or friends, a Galveston vacation rental is the best way to fit the whole group into one space. Beachfront rentals have breezy decks with beautiful views of the Gulf and plenty of interior space for everyone to hang out together.
Take a Galveston Beach Tour
The beach is probably the first thing on your mind when you visit Galveston in spring. The island has over 30 miles of gorgeous coastline for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. Check out our favorite beaches to put your toes in the sand.
East Beach
East Beach on the far end of the island is ideal for a Galveston beach day, with a wide swath of sand, restrooms, food vendors, chair rentals, and more. It’s also home to the AIA Sandcastle Competition each summer.
Stewart Beach
Stewart Beach is popular for Galveston beachgoers with kids, as it has lifeguards, showers and restrooms, a snack stand, and beach gear rentals. It’s located along Seawall Boulevard near Broadway Avenue.
West End Beaches
Galveston’s West End beaches are a nice escape from the crowds since they’re a bit farther from the touristy parts of the island. Here, you’ll find a calm shoreline at spots like Jamaica Beach, Galveston Island State Park, and Terramar Beach.
Stroll the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
Carnival games, fair foods, and fun rides fill the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, one of the most popular family attractions on the Texas coast. The amusement park on the Galveston Seawall stretches into the Gulf and offers fun activities for all ages, from carousels and spinning teacups for tots to the Iron Shark Roller Coaster that zooms up to 52 miles an hour.
Get Wild at Moody Gardens
Spending spring break in Galveston with the kids? You don’t want to miss Moody Gardens, an entertainment complex with a golf course, boat rides, and a trio of glass pyramid attractions.
The Rainforest Pyramid holds hundreds of plants, birds, and animals like Komodo dragons, sloths, and saki monkeys in a biosphere that mimics rainforests of South America, Asia, and Africa. The Aquarium Pyramid houses one of the largest aquatic exhibits in the area at 1.5 million gallons. It’s home to sharks, seals, penguins, and tropical fish from oceans around the world. A third pyramid, known as the Discovery Museum, has changing exhibits and interactive experiences.
Float Your Heart Out at Schlitterbahn
If you’re looking for some fun family activities for spring in Galveston, you can’t go wrong with a day at Schlitterbahn Waterpark. All ages will enjoy splashing around here. The park offers everything from thrilling water slides with twists and turns to lazy rivers and wave pools. Schlitterbahn typically opens for the season in mid-April as the days get warmer.
Enjoy the Beauty of Galveston Island State Park
Spring is the best time for outdoor adventures at Galveston Island State Park, a 2,000-acre nature escape on the largest patch of undeveloped land in Galveston. The park touches both the bay and the Gulf making it easy to enjoy both pristine beaches and natural wetlands.
Aside from time on the sand, some of the top activities here include kayaking along the paddling trails, hiking boardwalks to observation towers, and biking alongside the ponds and prairies. The state park is on the island's West End, so it’s a quick drive from your vacation rental home and makes a fun morning excursion in the warm spring months.
Go on a Dolphin Tour
Spring in Galveston is the perfect time to go out on a dolphin spotting tour. The island is surrounded by the Galveston Bay and Gulf, where bottlenose dolphins hang out. They are the only native cetaceans in the Texas bays, and you can spot them year-round.
The dry and warm spring weather offers the ideal conditions for dolphin-watching boat rides. The excursions range from hour-long outings with a group to day-long charters into the Gulf.
Take on The Strand for Shopping and Entertainment
Aside from the beach, The Strand is one of the absolute best places to go in Galveston. Located along Galveston Bay, the Downtown Historic Strand Seaport Area is full of shops, eateries, bars, and entertainment venues. Many are housed in picturesque buildings from the Victorian era, and the neighborhood has been dubbed a National Historic Landmark District.
By day, you can visit for souvenir or antique shopping, while in the evening, it buzzes with live music, happy hours, cocktail bars, and more.
Tour Galveston’s Museums
While you’ll likely want to spend most of your Galveston spring vacation outdoors enjoying the warm weather, the city also has some fun museums perfect for breaks from the sun.
The Galveston Railroad Museum is a fun one to visit with kids, located in a historic train station with vintage locomotives. For maritime history, pop into the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA, a National Historic Landmark and floating museum with exhibits about sea life and immigration. Historic home tours are also popular in Galveston at spots like the 1892 Bishop’s Palace and 1895 Moody Mansion.
What to Pack for Spring in Galveston
For spring in Galveston, you’ll want to pack a mix of beach clothes and comfortable outfits for sightseeing. March through May is warm and sunny, so shorts and sandals are ideal, though you may want to bring light layers for cool, breezy nights. Evenings out in Galveston can be as dressy as you’d like, and you’ll see a mix of resort wear, sundresses, jeans, or more formal outfits, depending on where you dine.
Your Galveston vacation rental will have all the starter supplies you need for an island vacation, but pack your favorite sunscreen, beach towels, sand toys, and other gear your family may need to enjoy a day in the sun.
Planning a Springtime Trip to Galveston
Spring in Galveston is the perfect time for a beach getaway. Whether you come with family or friends for a spring break vacation or just want to spend a long weekend enjoying the warm and sunny weather on the Texas coast, there’s plenty to do and see this time of year.
We can help you find the best Galveston vacation rental to fit your crew, from family-friendly cottages with two to three bedrooms to spacious beach and bay houses that sleep up to 16, you’ll find your dream getaway accommodations with Sand ‘N Sea.
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