Galveston–Port Bolivar Ferry
A free 24-hour car ferry with an 18-minute crossing, often accompanied by dolphins, with views of Bolivar Lighthouse from the far shore.
The free ferry, operated by the Texas Department of Transportation, connects the northeast end of Galveston Island with Bolivar Peninsula. It runs 24 hours a day. Both pedestrians and vehicles ride free, and the crossing takes about 18 minutes. Bottlenose dolphins often swim alongside the boat as it crosses Galveston Channel, and you may also see cruise ships, cargo ships, and seabirds entering and leaving the port. Near the landing on the far side, you can see the black cast-iron Bolivar Lighthouse, built in 1872. It is privately owned and not open to the public. Pedestrians can ride back and forth as a free sightseeing cruise. On summer weekends, drivers often wait in long lines, so it is best to go on a weekday or early in the morning.
Opening hours
24 hours
Nearby sights
- Seawolf Park
- Stewart Beach
- East Beach (R.A. Apffel Park)
- Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum
- East End Historic District
- Galveston Seawall & Seawall Boulevard
- Bishop's Palace
- Texas Seaport Museum & Tall Ship Elissa