Bluewater Loop

More Information:

San Luis Pass County Park
UTC 103

This site is open daily, and developed camping is available at the site.
An entrance fee or donation may be required.

From Galveston, cross San Luis Pass on the toll bridge and continue southwest on the Bluewater Highway (Brazoria CR 257). Immediately after crossing the bridge, exit west for San Luis Pass County Park.

This county park offers another view of San Luis Pass, and the sand flats here are often littered with small flocks of gulls and terns. Northern Gannets often venture into swift waters of San Luis Pass to fish. Scope the nearshore waters in summer and fall for Magnificent Frigatebirds. Please stay clear of the dunes as they represent a fragile ecosystem (and home to many rattlesnakes).

Latitude: 29.07567
Longitude: -95.12858

Kelly Hamby Nature Trail
UTC 103A

This site is open for day use only.

From Galveston, take San Luis Pass Rd/Termini-San Luis Pass Rd southwest. San Luis Pass Rd turns slightly right and becomes Bluewater Highway/CR 257. Continue approximately 2.5 miles, across Cross San Luis, and the trail will be on your left.

From Surfside Beach, head northeast on Bluewater Highway/CR 257 approximately 12.5 miles and look for the trail on your right.

The Kelly Hamby Nature Trail features a walking trail with beach access. It provides a natural habitat for birds such as the scissor-tailed flycatchers and orchard orioles, as well as migrant birds like buntings, tanagers, cuckoos, and warblers. Visit in late September and early October to glimpse the annual Monarch migration. The park can be accessed via Bluewater Highway, CR 257, between Surfside Beach and San Luis Pass. Wheelchair accessible parking is available. Don’t veer from marked trails and bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

(979)-233-6026
www.brazoriacountytx.gov/departments/parks-department/kelly-hamby-nature-trail

Latitude: 29.0682
Longitude: -95.1324

Christmas Bay
UTC 104

This site is open for day use only.

Continue southwest on the Bluewater Highway to Christmas Bay and the Christmas Bay Scenic View (3.2 miles from San Luis Pass across from The Peregrine Resort).

Rafts of Redheads often crowd this bay in winter, and Wilson's Plovers and Horned Larks nest in the dunes along the shore. This is a good spot to scope for winter ducks in the Bay and Marbled Godwit flocks on the reefs. It is possible to drive the beach the entire distance between here and Surfside (although a beach pass is required in Surfside), and gulls, terns, and shorebirds congregate in this area (Red Knots are often seen along this beach in migration). The near-shore waters are often jammed with Brown Pelicans diving amongst the schools of menhaden, and rafts of seaducks may drift close enough to the shore to allow a close inspection. In winter, Northern Gannets can sometimes be seen fishing offshore from the beach.

Latitude: 29.04556
Longitude: -95.16136

Bluewater Highway
UTC 105

This site is open for day use only.

Continue southwest on Bluewater Highway to TX 332 in Surfside. The bay may be accessed by driving to the kayak launch on Drum Bay.

In summer, Willets light on the power lines along this stretch of the Bluewater Highway. Falcons (Peregrine, Merlin, and American Kestrel) are commonly seen along the beach in migration and winter. Look for Yellow-headed Blackbird among the blackbird flocks along this road during migration. Bobolinks have also been seen in late spring in fields of spiderwort. White-tailed Kites often perch on the powerlines along the Road during winter and Crested Caracaras can be found in this area.

Latitude: 28.97397
Longitude: -95.26011

Surfside Jetty Park
UTC 106

This site is open for day use only.

From the intersection of the Bluewater Highway and TX 332 in Surfside, continue southwest across TX 332 on Fort Velasco Dr. to Parkview Rd. Go south on Parkview Rd. to Surfside Jetty Park.

The jetty has been expanded, and the walk to the end can now be accomplished with secure footing. Northern Gannets may be seen in winter from the jetty, and scoters and mergansers may drift into these relatively calm waters to feed (the scoters are rare). Inspect the flocks of gulls that feed behind the shrimp boats for jaegers and check the rocks for rare shorebirds. Purple Sandpiper is always possible in winter.

Latitude: 28.93903
Longitude: -95.29592

Surfside Beach Bird & Butterfly Trail
UTC 106A

This site is open for day use only.

From Houston/Lake Jackson, take Highway 332 south to Surfside Beach, turn right onto Fort Velasco Dr. at the bottom of the bridge. Take Fort Velasco and turn right on Parkview Rd. From Galveston, take Bluewater Highway in Surfside to Fort Velasco Dr. and turn right onto Parkview Rd. Located near Surfside Beach City Hall, at the intersection of Monument Drive and Parkview Road.

The Surfside Bird & Butterfly Trail is 2.5 miles surrounded by native plants and woodland and bordered by the Freeport Harbor. Opened in 2019, this is a great place to spot butterflies, herons, pelicans, egrets, terns and more. This trail was painstakingly designed by local gardening experts and native birders. It features plants and flowers specially selected to attract native and migratory aviary life. This trail winds down by the ship channel and twists and turns up around the Fort Velasco replica back to the boat ramps. The trail also features 10 workout stations for you to use and enjoy!

(979)-233-1531
www.surfsidetx.org/page/city.birdbutterfly

Latitude: 28.9435
Longitude: -95.2996