There are a lot of people – including those who have lived in Houston for years – who visit Galveston without really knowing what it offers for boaters.
Fortunately, we live in an area where we have boating season almost year round. In our opinion, there isn’t a place in the U.S. where you get your money back quickly on the investment made when buying a boat. We also live in an area where dock space is fairly inexpensive and in abundance.
Roughly 15 miles by 25 miles, Galveston Bay is totally protected from the gulf and that my friend is a lot of water to boat in and explore.
Texas Mariners Cruising Association has about the best source for cruising Galveston Bay and the Gulf Coast. Check it out for places to cruise to and from in our area.
Here are a few of the destinations you will find in their guide:
Galveston is a destination in its own right. The Harbor House Marina puts you within a block of The Strand and gives you a hotel if you have more guests than your boat can accommodate. Offatts Bayou is a terrific anchorage and you can tie up at the Moody Gardens Marina located there and visit the pyramid displays and use all the hotel facilities like the pool.
Anahuac: All the way across the bay is the town of Anahuac. This is a neat destination if you’re looking for a long distance far away destination. They also have a yearly Alligator fest.
Redfish Island: Recently rebuilt by the Corp of engineers this landmark destination is now built out of granite and is here to stay. There is over a 40-acre man made anchorage.
The north shore of Houston Yacht Club: Around the tip of Red Bluff Point is Houston Yacht Club. Around the northern seawall of Houston Yacht club is a well protected area and has a nice view of the old homes in La Porte and Morgan’s Point.
The Shore of Red Bluff: The same is true for anchoring off the north shore of the bay in a North Wind. This is also a nice protected anchorage.
Smith Point: If you can’t quite make it to Double Bayou, Smith Point is a spit of land before you get to the entrance to Double Bayou that you can anchor behind the prevailing winds.
Cedar Bayou: Is another river system that almost makes you feel like the African Queen as you move along the winding river system.
Double Bayou: Across the ship channel and a good afternoon sail or a few hours by motor, this is a river that is forked and offers secluded anchorages in one fork and a small town as a destination in another.
The South Shore of San Leon and Bacliff: If you’re short on time to get out to the bay and just need to get some R&R you can be anchored on the leeshore of San Leon from the Kemah Bridge in less than an hour even if you’re at sailing speeds.
You don’t want to miss the annual fireworks display on Clear Lake. Make sure to get out early to get the best anchorage. Try anchoring off Bacliff and San Leon or just to the south side of the Kemah Channel if weather permits.
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