Texas’ Galveston Island is home to the most charming beach towns and 32 miles of shoreline. Located just over an hour’s drive from Houston, Galveston’s prime Gulf Coast location and beautiful scenery understandably make it an ideal destination, welcoming upwards of 8 million tourists per year, according to the Galveston Park Board. The most common entry points to Galveston Island are on the northeastern side via the causeway on Interstate-45 or the Bolivar Ferry. As you cross onto the island and head west, the island becomes less populated. Around 15 miles from the island’s commercial downtown lies the quieter area of Jamaica Beach, where locals and visitors can enjoy all the island has to offer while escaping the crowds.
Jamaica Beach was developed in the 1960s and named in an effort to recreate the ambiance of its Caribbean island namesake. The community now consists of beachfront homes and vacation rentals, bookended by beach access to the south and a marina to the north. While the small community is relatively walkable, Jamaica Beach is better accessed by car. This way, you can easily explore the more tranquil energy of this side of the island, and you can actually drive and park right on the beach.
Read more: 8 Caribbean Islands Safe From Hurricanes
What to do and where to stay in Jamaica Beach
Wetlands and grasslands in Galveston Island State Park – magraphy/Shutterstock
Galveston Island State Park, bordering Jamaica Beach, is the perfect place to take in the calmer side of Galveston. The park spans over 2,000 acres and contains diverse ecosystems, from prairies to marshes full of wildlife to beaches. This stretch of protected land contributes to the tranquility of Jamaica Beach’s location, allowing visitors to experience the charm of nature in addition to the beachside lifestyle.
While there are a number of hotels in the more commercial part of the island, Galveston has plenty more lodging options that add to the restful energy. The area near Jamaica Beach and the state park has many campsites and RV hookups, there is a booming vacation rental scene, and larger hotel chains have timeshare communities in close proximity. These options make for a quieter lodging experience, but for even more uncrowded tranquility, the low season for visiting Galveston is between October and the beginning of March (before the spring break crowds descend). The weather may not be warm enough every day for swimming in the ocean, but you can still enjoy beach walks, hiking trails, pools, and dining — all with significantly less tourism and lower lodging rates.
Enjoying the water in Jamaica Beach
Sunset over Jamaica Beach – andrei_restrepo/ Instagram
In addition to the lower tourism, post-November is also the end of Galveston’s hurricane season — the peak is from mid-August to late October. While the entirety of the Gulf has some risk of hurricanes during the late summer and early fall, Galveston has a long history of preventative measures against destruction. The seawall runs for 10 miles against the water and elevates the city to protect it against flooding, though you should always follow official guidance from the city of Galveston.
In Jamaica Beach, a 2025 beach restoration project was launched by the Texas General Land Office in an effort to protect the community from storms, address erosion, and preserve wildlife habitats. While Mother Nature can be unpredictable, this area has made significant efforts to maintain the beauty of the shoreline.
Galveston is home to some of the best beachy swim spots in Texas, like the ocean access point in Jamaica Beach by way of Buccaneer Drive. Whether it be the public swimming pool in the community’s City Park with a $5 entry fee per person, the free waves of the gulf-side beaches, or the calmer waters of the canal on the bayside, the small community has no shortage of beautiful and accessible places to take a dip. In addition to swimming, the area is one of the premier fishing destinations on the Gulf Coast. While fishing, boating, or swimming are popular activities, some locals insist the best activity at Jamaica Beach is simply watching the sun rise or set over the water.
Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets.
Read the original article on Islands.