Stewart Beach is a large public beach park located where Broadway Avenue meets Seawall Boulevard in Galveston, Texas. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in April 2026 to reflect the current $15 daily vehicle entry fee and confirm that the site remains strictly alcohol-free.
Quick facts about Stewart Beach
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Seasonal; typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM |
| Ticket prices | $15 per vehicle |
| Address | 401 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | On-site car park |
| Typical time needed to visit | 3 to 5 hours |
Stewart Beach opening hours
Stewart Beach operates on a seasonal schedule, with standard spring and autumn hours generally running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekends. During the peak summer season between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the park extends its operational hours, typically opening from 8:00 AM until 7:00 PM from Friday to Sunday.
Operating times are subject to change based on weather conditions and local occupancy limits. A strict local ordinance prohibits leaving any equipment unattended on the sand overnight, requiring all items to be removed by sunset.
5 great experiences around Galveston to book now
- 👻 Hear spooky tales from Galveston’s past on an evening ghost tour.
- 🚴 Join an e-bike tour to discover Galveston Island’s wilder side.
- 🌴 Enjoy Moody Gardens, with skip-the-line admission to the Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids.
- 🐬 Cruise the harbour, spotting dolphins in their natural habitat.
- 🏛️ Visit Galveston’s historic mansions on an architecture tour.
Stewart Beach ticket prices
Admission is charged per vehicle, with a standard rate of $15 per car for a single entry. Re-entry is not permitted on the same ticket, though frequent visitors have the option to purchase a seasonal beach parking pass for $50 that covers unlimited entries for the year.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026. Stewart Beach is not included in any city pass schemes, such as the Galveston Island Pass, which bundles entry for other attractions like the Galveston Naval Museum, Moody Gardens, and the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum.
Why book the Baywatch Dolphin Tour?
- 🐬 Up-Close Wildlife Encounters: Enjoy a narrated 45-minute cruise through Galveston Harbor, specifically designed to bring you face-to-face with playful Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins in their natural habitat.
- 🛡️ Eco-Friendly & Marine Safe: Feel good about your ride on specialized vessels that use jet drive propulsion with no propellers, ensuring the safety of the dolphins and other local marine life.
- 🐾 Pet-Friendly Experience: Bring the whole family along—leashed pets are welcomed on board and even ride for free, making it a unique outdoor adventure for animal lovers.
- ⚓ Historical Harbor Insights: Learn about the rich maritime history of the Texas coast as experienced captains share fascinating stories and facts about the busy working harbor.
- 🌤️ All-Weather Comfort: Relax on stable, covered boats that offer 360-degree views, with heated and enclosed options available during the winter months for a comfortable trip year-round.
How to get to Stewart Beach
Stewart Beach is located at 401 Seawall Boulevard, right at the major intersection where Broadway Avenue meets the seawall. Driving is the most straightforward method of arrival, with vehicles able to turn directly into the park gates from Seawall Boulevard.
For visitors without a car, local taxis and ride-hailing services frequently drop passengers off near the entrance. The Galveston Island Trolley also runs a Seawall route during the summer months, passing close to the main beach entrance.
Parking at Stewart Beach
An on-site car park is located immediately past the payment booths, providing direct walking access to the main pavilion and the beach. The $15 vehicle admission fee acts as your parking payment for the duration of your visit.
Free parking is not available within the park boundaries. However, vehicles displaying a valid disabled parking placard or an international symbol of access number plate are exempt from all parking fees.
How long to spend at Stewart Beach
Visitors typically spend between three and five hours at Stewart Beach. This provides enough time to park, hire a chair and umbrella, and use the calm waters and sandy shoreline.
Families using the on-site facilities like the volleyball courts, children’s playground, or the food concessions often remain for a full day.
Accessibility at Stewart Beach
The main pavilion, which includes the public restrooms and shower facilities, offers flat, step-free access and smooth flooring. The immediate boardwalk area surrounding these core amenities is also fully accessible for wheelchair users.
Beach wheelchairs equipped with large pneumatic tyres are available free of charge to help visitors navigate the sand. These chairs are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and require a valid driver’s license to be held as a deposit by park staff.
Inside / what to see at Stewart Beach
Stewart Beach provides a wide, sandy coastline facing the Gulf of Mexico, with relatively calm waters monitored by professional lifeguards. The park is highly developed, focusing on convenience and family-oriented amenities rather than rugged natural scenery.
The site is anchored by a large central pavilion that houses public restrooms, indoor showers, and changing rooms. Food and beverage concessions are operated out of this main hub, providing snacks and cold drinks.
Unlike East Beach, alcohol is strictly prohibited everywhere at Stewart Beach. This rule is heavily enforced by beach patrol to maintain the site’s family-friendly environment.
During the peak season, independent concessionaires set up along the sand to offer chair and umbrella hire. A designated children’s playground and sand volleyball courts are also located near the main pavilion.
The beach enforces a ‘Leave No Trace’ policy from spring through late summer. All personal items, including canopies and beach games, must be completely removed from the sand by sunset to protect local wildlife and ensure the beach is clear for nightly cleaning crews.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
| Timing | Arrive before 10:00 AM on summer weekends to secure a parking space close to the pavilion. |
| Crowds | This is a highly popular family beach, meaning it is consistently busy during school holidays. |
| Layout | The amenities are clustered near the entrance, so those sitting close to the water face a long walk back to the restrooms. |
| Entry process | Admission requires payment at a drive-through toll booth at the main gates. |
| On-site logistics | Glass containers and alcohol are banned from the park, and bags may be checked by staff. |
Frequently asked questions about Stewart Beach
| Question | Answer |
| Is Stewart Beach suitable for children? | Yes, it is structured specifically as a family-friendly beach with calm waters, lifeguards, and a strict no-alcohol policy. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Stewart Beach? | No, vehicle admission is paid upon arrival at the entry booths. |
| Is Stewart Beach open on Sundays? | Yes, the beach and its amenities operate on Sundays throughout the year. |
| Are bags allowed at Stewart Beach? | Yes, visitors can bring beach bags and coolers, but glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. |
Things to do near Stewart Beach
- East End Lagoon Nature Preserve
- Galveston Seawall
- The Bryan Museum
- 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA
- The Strand Historic District
More Texas travel
Other Texas travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Visit the grand Broadway homes of Galveston – Moody Mansion and Bishop’s Palace.
- Plan a visit to the Ocean Star Museum, Galveston Naval Museum and Galveston Railroad Museum in Galveston.
- Tick off the stars of the Dallas Arts District, including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Museum of Asian Art.
- Visit the Meadows Museum and the George W Bush Presidential Museum on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas.
- Plan your visit to the Children’s Museum Houston and Houston Museum of Natural Science.
