A Front-Row Beach House on the Gulf, Fully Furnished, for $1,349,000
$1,349,000
Crystal Beach sits on the Bolivar Peninsula, a slim stretch of Texas coastline reached by a free ferry ride from Galveston, and this house sits right on the front row — the kind of spot where nothing but sand and water sits between the porch and the Gulf.
This one comes fully furnished, four bedrooms and five bathrooms across 2,600 square feet, with the primary suite and a powder room on the main floor and three more bedrooms — one an ensuite, two set up with bunks — upstairs. Multiple viewing decks wrap the home, built for exactly the kind of morning coffee and evening sunset watching the current owners describe, with the sound of waves rolling in as the actual soundtrack. Built in 2016, so this is modern coastal construction rather than an older beach house showing its age.
At $1,349,000, or roughly $519 a square foot, the price reflects true beachfront on a peninsula where front-row lots like this rarely turn over. The home currently runs as a vacation rental with a manager already in place, so a buyer can keep that income stream going or switch it back to a full-time family home — either way, it's turnkey from day one. This is a for-sale-by-owner listing with no listing agent involved, so bring a buyer's agent or attorney to handle the offer and closing rather than relying on the seller to represent both sides.
Life at the Water
Water Access & Depth
The home sits front row on the beach with full, easy access through the backyard — no street crossing, no easement to navigate, just steps from the deck to the sand. Panoramic Gulf of Mexico views are visible from multiple decks, which is the main draw on a peninsula where beachfront lots this direct don't come up often.
Recreation & Boating
The Bolivar Peninsula is a well-known Texas Gulf Coast spot for surf fishing, with redfish and speckled trout running close to shore, and Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, one of the most significant shorebird habitats on the Texas coast, sits nearby for a quieter side of the water. Vehicle access is allowed on many stretches of this beach, which locals use for surf fishing right off the sand.
Dock & Waterfront Features
No dock applies here — this is direct Gulf beachfront rather than a bay or canal lot, so water access is by walking straight onto the sand rather than any boat structure. Confirm with the seller whether any dune-walkover or beach-access permits are on file, since the Texas General Land Office governs construction along the public beach easement.
Flood & Insurance Considerations
The Bolivar Peninsula took a direct hit from Hurricane Ike in 2008, and Gulf-front property here carries real storm exposure, so pull the FEMA flood zone designation for this specific parcel and get an actual windstorm and flood insurance quote before making an offer. A 2016-built home should meet updated post-Ike coastal construction codes, but confirm elevation and tie-down details with the seller rather than assuming.
Beyond the Property Line
Local Flavor & Small-Town Character
Crystal Beach is the main town on the Bolivar Peninsula, a slower, more laid-back stretch of Texas coast reached by a free ferry ride from Galveston Island. It's known for a lower-key, family-vacation feel than the bigger Gulf destinations, with beach bars and seafood spots that keep a small-town pace even in peak season.
Outdoor Recreation & Natural Surroundings
Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary draws birders for its shorebird migrations, and the historic Bolivar Point Lighthouse, standing since the 1870s, is a well-known landmark a short drive up the peninsula. Surf fishing and crabbing are everyday activities here rather than special occasions, and the Galveston ferry ride over is its own kind of scenic start to the trip.
Listed on Zillow
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