Surfside Beach is a popular family beach destination located on Follet’s Island on the Texas Gulf Coast.
It is home to a sandy beach that offers plenty of amenities such as showers and restrooms.
There are several restaurants and cafes located nearby, making it easy to grab a bite to eat.
In addition to its natural beauty, Surfside Beach also offers a wide range of activities for visitors from fishing and swimming to boating and kayaking.
It makes a great vacation spot for beach and watersport lovers.
Also Read: Best islands in Texas
Where is Surfside Beach, Texas?
Surfside Beach, Texas is a tiny coastal city located on the coast of Galveston Bay.
It is situated about four miles south of Freeport, and just 25 miles southwest of Galveston Island.
It is also located just south of Houston and makes a perfect day trip from the city.
Best Things to do in Surfside Beach, TX
Surfside beach is located in Brazoria County near Freeport, Texas.
Surfside is the closest beach to Houston and hence the beach town is very popular with locals.
Here are our favorite things to do in Surfside Beach, Texas.
Enjoy a day at the beach
Surfside Beach has 4 miles of beach that extend from the fishing pier to the Surfside Beach City limits in the north.
The warm water and gentle waves make it a perfect family beach and popular spot for those with small children.
Visitors can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, and playing in the sand.
The sandy beach has great views of the ocean and is also a great place for picnics.
Be sure to stay in the pedestrian-only area west of Starfish St if you have very small kids as cars are allowed on the beach north of Highway 332.
While the beach is cleaned daily, it does get dirty especially in the summer.
However, the norther you go away from the pier, you are more likely to find cleaner sand and fewer crowds.
People often wonder, is Surfside Beach better than Galveston?
While the water quality and beach sand is almost the same, it’s the size and activity that sets them apart.
Surfside is small and local while Galveston is more touristy and often crowded.
Galveston also has many more nearby attractions such as museums, amusement park, and restaurants.
Also Read: Best beaches in Texas
Surf the waves
As its name suggests, surfing the waves is one of the top attractions in Surfside Beach, TX.
You can bring your own gear or rent from one of the stores located along the beach.
There are several surf schools in the area that offer lessons for both beginners and experienced surfers.
Or you can just watch the surfers ride the waves on your visit – a great experience!
The amazing surfing opportunities have also resulted in the nickname, Surf City Texas!
Also Read: Best day trips from Houston, Texas
Visit the Surfside Jetty County Park
The Surfside Jetty County Park is a popular destination with picnickers and anglers in this Texas beach town.
There are several barbecue grills, covered picnic areas, play area, and restrooms located in the park.
Visitors can also watch the ships navigating through the ship channel that leads to Houston via Clear Lake.
Enjoy fishing at Surfside Jetty Pier
Surfside Beach in Texas has some of the best fishing along the upper Gulf Coast.
A wide range of species such as speckled trout and flounder can be found in the waters.
The jetty is excellent for anglers looking for a casual fishing experience.
Take a stroll on the pier
Wondering what to do in Surfside Beach TX if you don’t want to get in the water?
The pier is also great to walk for families and has excellent views at sunset.
You can also see a variety of wildlife from the pier, including dolphins, turtles, and seabirds.
Book a deep-sea fishing charter
Or you can charter a fishing boat to venture offshore.
This is a great option for anglers looking to catch bigger fish such as red snapper, vermillion snapper, and mahi-mahi.
You can find several charter companies located in Surfside Beach. Most charters include all the necessary gear and bait.
Surfside Beach Charters, Oilfield Outkasts Charters owned by Captain Rodney in Surfside, and Cowboy Charters in Freeport are all popular fishing charters.
Drive on the sandy beach
This is one of our favorite things to do at Surfside Beach TX!
The beach area east of Highway 332 is open for driving on the beach.
This is a great option if you want to take your whole family on an off-road adventure.
There are several beach access locations along the Blue Water Highway that are perfect spots to park your car and bring out sand toys for the kids.
Just be sure to follow all beach traffic rules and laws mentioned here.
Camp near the water for free
Brazoria County Beach Park is one of the few Texas parks that allow free camping on the beach.
The park is located just north of Surfside Beach, Freeport outside the city limits.
Camping on this Texas beach here is an incredible experience.
Or you can stay at one of the RV parks in Surfside Beach if you are looking for more amenities.
Enjoy fresh seafood at the Beachfront Deck Bar & Grill
The Beachfront Deck Bar & Grill is a local favorite for its fresh seafood, live music, and excellent views.
The restaurant is located on the water with a large deck that is perfect for enjoying the sunset.
It also has swings, volleyball courts, and more nearby.
You can also find several other great restaurants in Surf side Beach, TX such as Jetty Shack and Sharkies on the Beach.
Go crabbing at Stahlman Park
One of the unique Surfside Beach attractions!
Crabbing Pier located inside Stahlman Park is another great spot for crabbing.
The pier is located on the marsh side and has good-sized crabs.
Stahlman Park is located between Surfside Jetty and Quintana Beach County Parks.
Have fun horse riding at the beach
Beach goers can also enjoy horse riding on the beach in Surfside Beach.
The tours are great for families and beginners and offer a fun activity on the beach trip.
Visit the Surfside Historical Museum
The Surfside Historical Museum is a small museum located in the City Hall.
It has exhibits on the history of Surfside Beach and the surrounding area including Fort Velasco.
The museum is rarely visited but is good for history buffs.
Enjoy the nightlife at Pier 30
Pier 30 is a great place to enjoy the nightlife in Surfside Beach Houston TX.
The bar and grill has a large deck overlooking the water with excellent views of the sunset.
Pier 30 is also a popular spot for live music on the weekends.
Hike the Surfside Beach Bird & Butterfly Trail
The Surfside Beach Bird & Butterfly Trail is a great place to enjoy nature.
The trail is located near the City Hall and is 2.5 miles long.
It is an excellent spot for birdwatching and also has several butterfly gardens.
You will find a lot of monarch butterflies here during the migration season.
Explore the ruins of Fort Velasco
Fort Velasco is a historic site located in Surfside Beach, Texas.
It is steeped in the region’s rich military history.
Originally built by Mexico, Fort Velasco was strategically positioned at the mouth of the Brazos River to protect the frontier.
The fort played an important role in the Texas Revolution: it was the place of the first battle of independence.
While the original Fort Velasco was destroyed by a hurricane, a replica stands here today to narrate this important part of Texas history.
Things to do near Surfside Beach, Texas
There are plenty of things to do near Surfside Beach, TX.
From beach towns, sandy shorelines, birding destinations, and even dinosaur museums – you have the pick of it all!
Drive the Bluewater Highway
Bluewater Highway is a scenic drive that extends from Surfside Beach to Galveston Island.
It is great for views, seafood restaurants, and beach access.
Taking the Surfside Beach Galveston road trip along Bluewater Highway is one of our favorite things to do in Surfside TX.
Visit Bryan Beach
Bryan Beach is a popular beach located just south of Surfside Beach.
The beach is a popular spot for sun and sand, fishing, camping, and hiking.
See exhibits at the Freeport Historical Museum
The Freeport Historical Museum is located in downtown Freeport.
The museum has exhibits on the history of the city, the port, and the surrounding area.
You can even see a replica of the Brazos River light.
Birdwatch at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is a great place for bird watching, fishing, and hiking.
You can also see alligators, otters, and other wildlife here from the trails.
The scenic auto tour is another great way to explore this preserve.
See the marine life at Sea Center Texas
Sea Life Center, located in Lake Jackson, is a fish hatchery as well as an educational aquarium.
You can learn about the different species of fish here and see them up close in the tanks.
There is also a touch tank where you can interact with blue crabs, sea urchins, and sea anemones.
Scuba dive at Flower Gardens
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is located off the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico.
This sanctuary is known for its excellent scuba diving.
On a dive trip, you can also see coral reefs, colorful sponges, and a variety of marine life here.
Visit the Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary
The Quintana Neotropical Birding Center is located in Quintana, Texas.
It is home to a variety of bird species and is an important habitat for migratory birds.
See prehistoric beasts at the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science
The Brazosport Museum of Natural Science has exhibits on dinosaurs, fossils, and other animals that used to roam the earth.
It is a hit with kids of all ages.
Where to stay in Surfside Beach, TX?
Surfside Beach has hotels, beach houses, vacation rentals, as well as RV campgrounds that cater to visitors.
Did you like our guide on the best things to do in Surfside Beach, Texas?
What are your favorite Surfside Beach, Texas things to do? Did you like our Surfside Beach Freeport photos? Let us know below.