Bolivar Peninsula North Jetty

The North Jetty, on the southern end of the Bolivar Peninsula, is one of two built into the Gulf of Mexico to provide protection of the channel to the Port of Galveston, Port of Texas City and The Port of Houston. Work on the jetties began as a construction experiment in 1874, and the major portion was completed only after Congress appropriated funds for the work in 1890. Final completion of the system in 1898 made Galveston a deep-sea port for world commerce.

To access the North Jetties take Hwy 87 to 17th street which is a little over 1.5 miles from the Bolivar Ferry Landing. Once you arrive you’ll find an easy walk for part of the way and then get ready to make some big steps to each granite stone which makes up the surface the remainder of the jetties to the boat-cut and beyond. There is a bait camp at the base of the North Jetties where you’ll find live and fresh dead bait and an assortment of tackle and always a recent fishing report

The North Jetties are a BIG draw to anglers and people of all ages for fishing and crabbing. Some just to take a walk, while others to photograph the birds, ships and beauty the North Jetties offer to visitors yearly.

Nestled along the Texas Gulf Coast, the North Jetties on Bolivar Peninsula offering year-round birding experience, drawing enthusiasts from around the world. This Globally Important Bird Area, including the renowned Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary at the base of the North Jetty, was formed by sediment accumulation from the late 1800s jetty construction, creating rich feeding grounds for tens of thousands of birds throughout the seasons. In spring, witness vibrant warblers and other migrants, while summer brings breeding species like Wilson’s plovers, least terns, and black skimmers; fall and winter highlight shorebirds, ducks, herons, egrets, and pelicans in abundance. Whether you’re spotting American avocets feeding at low tide or exploring the jetty’s scenic walks for resident species, Bolivar Peninsula’s North Jetties provide endless opportunities for birdwatching, photography, and nature immersion, making it one of the best birding spots in the United States. Birding On Bolivar Peninsula, an informational page for all locations and information for Bolivar Peninsula.