Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Court J.
2 days ago
I have been riding this ferry ever since I was a little girl. I have always enjoyed the ride as an adult until today. I was randomly selected twice for my car to be inspected by homeland security. I understand that they are to keep our ferry and ports safe. I have been in Galveston all weekend and took the ferry. To get pulled over twice in both trips today was a little extreme.. I will not be riding the ferry anymore in Galveston. I felt like I was being picked on. How does one person get selected twice in one day to search the car. May I remind you that nothing was found the first or second time they searched.

  cHubby Love1
9 months ago
First time going, lots of cars but very quick. The staff was wonderful and helpful. Speedy quick and the workers ran the Dewitt Greer like a well oiled machine. Very cool, recommend trying it at least once. Dolphins popping out of the water alongside the ferry! Seagulls, and pigeons hanging out on the boat. And the pelicans were also cruising alongside and diving down into the water catching fish! Very relaxing and fun.

  Adnahc Chew
2 days ago
While visiting Galveston, took the free ferry ride. Was very windy, but nice day.

  Karen Howard
7 months ago
1st ever riding was on Sunday afternoon. Boy someone needs to warn tourists how long it can take. 2.5 hrs When we finally got on, after the wait. I asked a man (Employee), how long it takes to get to other side. He joking said " It was a 3 hour tour", sorry I missed the joke but my husband git it, lol. The employee did tell me where the handicap restroom was. Front left corner of the ferry, Thank God, because boy this body could not have made it up those stairs, I would have been in trouble.At least the 2nd time we took it, a day later it was short & sweet.

  Ashley Nicole
a month ago
Long wait due to long line sometimes to get onto ferry if you re driving but otherwise it s quick, easy and free!

  Tamara Rhodes
2 months ago
They definitely need a better system. We waited for hours to get on while rows that just pulled up got on and they were not the medical row.This summer we were here and on several occasions we waited for more than 3 hours to board each way.I realize it s free but you should never have to wait this long.Not a pleasant experience!!!!

  anna culp
a year ago
Yesterday was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arrived to the ferry area at 230pm!!!! Long long long long long long long LINE!!! Horrible! My girls had bad fit!!!!!! For hours really!!!! Finally got on ferry at 530pm, arrives Galveston ferry almost 6pm!!!SMH Never happen to me like this before. Always up to one hour most of time that I do understand!!! but over 4 hours?!?! Crazy!!!!!That is unacceptable!!!!,Pls fix that situation to make sure not happen again.

  P E
3 years ago
Totally forgot to review this place back in 2019 when I visited it, doing it now. Arrived at 1.00pm took nearly 2 hours of wait time, but wanted the kids to enjoy their ferry ride. Waited at the end kids had fun didn t get down at the other end of beach just returned. Ferry ride is free of cost only if u hav patience to wait.

  Daniel S
4 months ago
Super fun experience. Once the Ferry begins to move you can get out of your car and walk around. There are restrooms and an upper level you can walk around. We saw dolphins while crossing. The ferry is free by the way!

  A AP
2 months ago
Galveston-Port Bolivar FerryI can only give them 2stars why? Yes depending on season and time of day it can take you 2 to 3hours to get on this I understand. It years since I was back. Now it seems the people working at the crossing are private security however how can you take them serious. They dress / wear their work uniform sloppy. They sit and smoke they don't act seriousthey don't do a rofesional check people smore and use e-sigs the most embarrassing part. THEY DONT!!! check the bottom of vehicles because they only have one mirror and ITS BROKEN! and they have not bought them a new one, they really don't even check they need to bring back the gov security they started with way back. Can't give them a five star on this. However the view is beautiful

  G G
4 years ago
The Ferry is a must visit attraction in the Galveston Island. It is not really considered as an attraction , instead a mode of transport between the island and Bolivar. But I still suggest this for visitors which gives different experience all together. The ferry transports cars and buses. If you do not want to wait in the queue with car , park the car in the parking lot which is free. And walked down to the ferry. The round trip is approximately 30 min . you can remain on the ferry and enjoy the beautiful costal. you can see different types of birds . We even got to witness Dolphins in couple of spots. Keep your eyes open and enjoy the beauty. The ferry ride is free . The rest rooms on the parking lot is clean and well maintained.

  Celia Villegas, Realtor
8 months ago
We saw dolphins We went very early in the morning so we didn t have to wait for too to get in. It s a quick tripKid loves it!

  Great Beer Now
3 years ago
Visiting Galveston presents opportunities to enjoy the beach, visit museums and historic sites, and otherwise switch over to island time and leave your worries behind. There is a large list of activities but one that needs to be added to your plans is the Galveston Port Bolivar Ferry.This ferry service runs between Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. It runs continuously, night and day, and there are multiple boats to help handle the traffic. Lots of people take part in this and the waits can be long. The reason it is so popular is that it is offered free of charge! You don t find many things that are free and this fact alone makes the Galveston Port Bolivar Ferry worth a look.If you would rather not wait in line and take your car onboard, a better option that I recommend is to ride the ferry as a passenger. Just park your car in the free lot, walk to the boat, and make your way to the second level deck. Doing the ferry as a passenger is much easier because there is no wait in line. And unless you have a specific reason to take your car to the peninsula to drive around, then there really is no reason to do so. You might as well experience everything as a passenger, ride to the peninsula and immediately ride right back.While on board the boat, the focus is entirely on site seeing. There are no beverages or snacks served on board. They have restrooms, but that is it. But it is a great way to watch dolphins, seagulls, and view the surrounding sites. The birds tend to flock around the boat and many people feed them along the way. Dolphins like to follow the boat, too, and you should have no trouble seeing some as you cruise back and forth.Galveston has much going on, but the Galveston Port Bolivar Ferry is easily one of the top attractions. Where else can you take a boat ride and watch dolphins free of charge? It s a cool way to pass the time and take in the sites and costs nothing, so give the ferry a look the next time you re on the island.

  Sheniz Datoo
a week ago
Worst nightmare to come to Galveston and rent a house in Bolivian circle. . Don t rent houses here the ferry takes for ever, been waiting 2 hours and just moved a block. Paid rent and waisted a day waiting in line. Still waiting. It s ridiculous.

  Timothy Aguiar
5 years ago
We waited over an hour, not the fault of the ferry but there was a lot of traffic. The had busses on there and everything!! My kids thought it was awesome! Making memories, that s what it is all about.

  Sara Kia
9 months ago
They don t have any calculations to how and how many vehicles should be send on a Ferry. Some lane goes through faster than others. I am wonder why !!!!

  Shae Meyer
5 years ago
Besides providing an actual service this is a great site seeing activity. We like to ride the ferry to watch the dolphins, seagulls and pelicans as well as the big ships and tankers arriving into port. All the staff we have encountered on multiple rides are courteous and helpful. You are allowed to get out of your vehicle and walk the ferry while underway. It is air conditioned indoors and has restrooms available. We never have had a long wait... and best part, it s free!

  Chaotic Explorer
2 years ago
Ferry was not very clean and had an unpleasant bathroom like sewage smell. Of course this isn t supposed to be a luxury ride, so expectations are that of taking any public transportation.Ferry was easy to get on and easy to get off. Being able to see up top was also very cool, even though we travelled at night.

  Jaclynn Jackson
a year ago
Walk on Only- ONE HOUR WAIT TIME. If you want to ride the Ferry for any reason other than business, walk on without your vehicle. The wait times are horrible. The website does not give a schedule because they can not. There are 5 lanes that are filled, and each lane is filled at to wait for the ferries. Then each lane boards until the ferry is full, so lane 5 waits an hour.

  Annie Vardo
2 years ago
Great experience everyone should try. This car ferry is free of charge. The downside is the wait time to get loaded on the boat is about an hour

  Sharon Stone
3 weeks ago
We had fun

  Cherie B.B. Shaw
10 months ago
The wait is very long yet I knew what we signed up for. Clean bathrooms and great looking spots. My children and I spotted many dolphins while is always fun to watched. Enjoyed seeing the seagulls ride in the boat air. was confused why all staff had all faced fully covered etc. Yet idk maybe still company policy.

  Steve
4 years ago
Total wait including crossing was about 25 minutes. We towed our camper and they did check to make sure the propane was turned off. Best part is its free. Used the ferry again this year and had a similar experience. It was a Sunday morning and not very busy.

  Stephen Gill
8 months ago
Meh, haven t been on this ferry in many years until today. In the past I thought it was great and nicely organized until I discovered this medical pass nonsense. The medical pass line is something else. Observed the staff not even really checking for medical passes and just waiving the traffic on to the ferry. Lots of articles regarding the medical pass that s raising concerns and the radar seems to be really investigating that topic. Website quotes 45 min at the time I pulled up. Medical lines kept getting seniority and bumping our turns pretty much last on the 5 ferry s that came and left. I feel bad for the staff working in the hot sun and they could use some type of umbrellas or canopy s due to having to stand in the heat outside. I understand wait times are approximate but sheesh that 45 minutes turned into 3 - 3 1/2 hour wait. Thinking the medical pass ordeal needs better organizing and beefed up to ensure the correct people are using that rather than possible abusing. I understand there are owners who live on Crystal Beach and it can be frustrating when it s vacation season. It s a choice made to own on Crystal Beach and it s a choice made for vacation rentals yet it s a choice made to rent a vacation rental. Overall I think the medical pass should be ditched. Treat all passengers rather they own or rent fairly and when it s your turn to board then it is your turn to board. This 45 minute quoted wait turning to almost4 hours with medical pass people boarding the ships all in front of you while your stuck waiting in enclosed 7 lanes of stopped trapped vehicles is bogus. Going through Winnie may be longer but a whole lot faster instead of waiting for the 5 times longer quoted time is unacceptable.

  stephanie tunell
4 months ago
Great experience, minus a little wait time!

  Nick Collins
a week ago
VERY poor signage.Unhelpful and rude boarding staff.For those who aren't psychic; the unmarked right hand lane is for card holders only. Even at the end where it splits up.

  garry bennett
5 months ago
One of the best things to do in Galveston. You see lots.of dolphins and big ships. The best thing about it is it's free. Love it.

  Javier Silva
a month ago
Ferry is great just be careful with the deputy parked on a jeep at the entrance of the ferry he likes to harass tourists

  Krista Ventura
a year ago
The ferry itself is fine but the wait is just too long. Plan to do nothing else all day. We thought it would just be a quick little trip. We enjoyed the ride, but waited an hour on each side. It s not really worth it. There s nothing to do in Port Bolivar peninsula. I would not recommend it.

  Kazli Fitch
10 months ago
It is not a quick process. Much faster to drive around Galveston bay.Waited over an hour to get on the ferry. The ride is quick- 18 minutes. You can get out and see the water. Back in your car. Offload to the road in Bolivar.Wait in traffic for 2 hours to get on the interstate