Open Bay Waters - Galveston Bay

Coastal Habitats

Bay Habitats

Open Bay Waters

Open Bay Waters: Galveston Bay

Open bay waters are common in the midst of several coastal bays in Texas. No sea grass beds grow on the soft bottom here and there are no oyster reefs in this part of the bay.

Tiny plants and animals thrive in the nutrient-rich waters. They, in turn, feed the young of commercially important fish and shrimp.

Bay Habitats

• Mud flats: Corpus Christi
• Sea grass beds: Aransas Bay
• Open bay waters: Galveston Bay
• Hypersaline lagoon: Laguna Madre
• Barrier Island: Padre Island

Bay Animals

Select a coastal habitat:

• Salt Marshes
• Bays and Estuaries
• Jetties
• Nearshore Waters
• Gulf Waters