Overview
Surfside or Surfside Beach is a small beach town in the Gulf Coast region of Texas between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway. It has over 4 miles of beaches.
4 sights · 4 things to do · 3 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Surfside
Beaches
The pedestrian beach is between Welk St. and Thunder St., with free parking at both edges. There are picnic tables and BBQ grills at Jetty and Stahlman parks. Alcohol is allowed on the beach, but glass containers are for…
Jetty Park
Stahlman Park
Fort Velasco
Where Mexico had once established a fort to stop further immigration into what would become the Republic of Texas, and also where the Battle of Velasco occurred.
Surfing
See below for surfboard and boogeyboard rentals.
Crabbing
There's a crabbing pier over a small estuary at the north end of town, just across from Stalman Beach Park. The end of the pier is in disrepair and the last few yards have collapsed, but the rest is stable enough for cra…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 95°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Oct. (climate data from nearby Houston)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HOU William P. Hobby Airport, Houston — 49 mi away (major hub). Directions
- IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston — 72 mi away (major hub). Directions
Surfside is about 60 miles (100 km) south of Houston. Take SH-288 South all the way through Lake Jackson. On the south edge of Lake Jackson you'll cross Main Street and a few hundred yards later, on the right, turn right on SH-332 East, across the intercoastal waterway bridge to Surfside Beach.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Beaches, Stahlman Park
- Lunch Dorado's Dive Club
- Afternoon Surfing, Watersports
- Dinner Seahorse Bar & Grill
- Evening Surfside Liquor
Day 2
- Morning Jetty Park, Fort Velasco
- Lunch Red Snapper Inn
- Afternoon Crabbing, Johnston's Sportfishing
- Evening Surfside Jetty Shack
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Surfside has a small convenience store for groceries, for extensive shopping you'll need to head over the bridge to Clute or Lake Jackson. Fresh fish and shrimp can be purchased at the small fish market on the other side of the bridge. Ten restaurants offer a range of food, including seafood, Greek, American, and Italian.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Get in
Surfside is about 60 miles (100 km) south of Houston. Take SH-288 South all the way through Lake Jackson. On the south edge of Lake Jackson you'll cross Main Street and a few hundred yards later, on the right, turn right on SH-332 East, across the intercoastal waterway bridge to Surfside Beach.
From Galveston, head south to the toll bridge ($2 either direction) and follow the Bluewater Highway to town.
Get around
The beach makes for excellent walking, but the few services in town are spread out enough to make a car or bike a necessity.
Horses are allowed on the village beach Sep 15 - May 15. Horses are allowed year-round on the county beach north of Stanek Dr.
Be careful with driving e.g. your speed and coming to a complete stop as it is monitored closely.
- Valero, 91 Fort Velasco Dr, Freeport. +1 979-233-1864. The only gas station on the island and from Surfside till Jamaica Beach.
See
See Beaches
The pedestrian beach is between Welk St. and Thunder St., with free parking at both edges. There are picnic tables and BBQ grills at Jetty and Stahlman parks. Alcohol is allowed on the beach, but glass containers are forbidden on all beaches, city and county. The beach, from Welk St. north to Stanek Dr., allows cars with beach permits. Beach permits are $12 annually to drive within the village of Surfside. The beach north of Stanek dr. is owned by the county and is free for everyone. Several entrances stretch along bluewater highway marked as permit required or otherwise. Driving on or over the dunes is strictly prohibited. Water quality signs are posted at beach entrances.
See Jetty Park
See Stahlman Park
Do
Do Crabbing
There's a crabbing pier over a small estuary at the north end of town, just across from Stalman Beach Park. The end of the pier is in disrepair and the last few yards have collapsed, but the rest is stable enough for crabbing, fishing, and birdwatching.
Fishing
Eat
Surfside has a small convenience store for groceries, for extensive shopping you'll need to head over the bridge to Clute or Lake Jackson. Fresh fish and shrimp can be purchased at the small fish market on the other side of the bridge. Ten restaurants offer a range of food, including seafood, Greek, American, and Italian.
Shop Surfside Food Mart
Very basic food store, can buy toiletries, drinks, and some household supplies. Head to Freeport or Lake Jackson for grocery shopping.
Budget
Eat Dorado's Dive Club
Casual restaurant with crawfish and oysters as their specialty.
Eat Seahorse Bar & Grill
Regular place serving assorted bar foods and excellent seafood.
Mid-range
Eat Red Snapper Inn
Greek and Italian influenced seafood. House specialties include Red Snapper a La Grec and crab stuffed jalapenos. Children's menu available. A small selection of beer and wine, including some Greek options.
Drink
Drink Surfside Liquor
Only liquor store on the island. Limited supply of the basics, including plastic bottles to comply with beach rules. Anything more substantial/specific will require a trip either to Freeport or even Angleton.
Drink Surfside Jetty Shack
A great local find - just to the right of the jetty. Not very large but big on atmosphere and company. Sandwiches and burgers are tasty and the beer is always cold. Rebuilt after Hurricane Ike. It has a pool table, dart board and a few video gaming machines.
Drink Beach Front Deck Bar and Grill
Closest place to a regular bar on the island, also serves food.
Drink Surfin Rita Daiquiris To-Go
Trailer serving daiquiris, beer, and jello shots to go. Can order in advance online.
Sleep
Most visitors to Surfside take advantage of the numerous and affordable vacation homes ranging from tiny one-bedroom A-frames, to multi-story houses big enough for family reunions. Always do your homework before choosing your vacation rental home or rental management company.
Stay Beach Camping
Beach camping is allowed on the county beach north of Stanek drive. Cars and tents have to be parked on the dune side at night. 3' x 3' campfires are permitted as long as they under control. Camping within the village of Surfside is prohibited.
Stay safe
- Tap water is affected by "trihalomethanes", a byproduct of over-chlorination. It's also not very tasty. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, there's no health danger for short term visitors, but you'll probably want to buy bottled water for drinking and cooking.
- Jellyfish are common in Gulf waters especially the Portuguese Man-of-War. Counteract the painful poison with a towel zapped in the microwave for 1 minute or a mix of vinegar and meat tenderizer.
- Hurricanes affect the area. Evacuation route signs are posted along main roads.
- Seaweed - a significant amount can sometimes be heaped up on the beach, especially after a storm. It can sometimes accumulate in large rafts that are too thick to comfortably navigate.
- Beach conditions - flags dictate the condition of the beach, specifically if waves are dangerous or water quality is impaired.
Go next
- Houston
- Galveston
- Lake Jackson
- San Luis Pass
- Jamaica Beach
- Brazoria
Nearby
Clute
City / town · 20 listings · 8 mi away
Jamaica Beach
City / town · 1 listings · 26 mi away
Alvin
City / town · 3 listings · 33 mi away
Galveston
City / town · 68 listings · 37 mi away
Texas City
City / town · 39 mi away
Bay City
City / town · 11 listings · 40 mi away
Pearland
City / town · 2 listings · 42 mi away
Webster
City / town · 5 listings · 43 mi away
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