Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
From I-45 take Exit I45 to 61st Street. Turn right at 61st Street then turn right at Seawall Blvd. We are located 15 miles from the end of the Seawall. Look for large blue "Isla del Sol" water tower. We are located 1 mile on the right. From Hwy. 288 take Exit 288 to 332. Follow 332 until it ends and then turn left onto 257/Bluewater Highway. Follow 257 and cross the Galveston Toll Bridge. Galveston Island KOA Holiday will be 3 miles on the left.
Get Google Directions
Galveston Island is one of the best places in the country for birding. The area has abundant bird species and various habitats, making the variety matchless. Here is your guide for birding in Galveston.
Galveston is home to various habitats, including beaches, grasslands, wetlands, woods, bays and ponds. This offers an array of different types of birds, both native and migratory. The area is also in the middle of the 95th meridian and the trans-Gulf migration route, meaning it is a significant region for birds to stop before veering north. There are over 300 species throughout the year and during the annual FeatherFest, over 200 species of birds are commonly seen.
Birding is the number one sport in America. Birding is the active search for birds and observing them for recreational purposes or citizen science. While bird watching is looking at birds, birding is looking for birds. If you are birding at Galveston Island, you are visiting specific locations hoping to see a particular species at an exact time of the year.
The Galveston region offers many ways to view birds. Traverse the various hiking trails, walk along the beach, go for a self-guided tour by car or join the multitude of guided tours by vehicle or boat. Here are some of the areas you can go birding.
When heading west, you will encounter various ponds, marshes and bushes that offer unique bird varieties. Recommended stops in the area include:
Urban areas are often forgotten and can offer a wide range of spots for birders to explore. Urban locations to visit include:
The far western regions offer a multitude of coastal and water birds. Sites to visit include:
The eastern part is just as much a birder’s paradise as the rest of the island. Recommended sites include:
Birding is a fun activity, no matter your knowledge or skill level of identifying birds. Here is a quick guide to ensure you are ready for your birding adventure:
Pack your binoculars, notebook and pen, field guidebook or app, hat and sunscreen. A camera is a bonus, even if it is a smartphone one.
There are details you see in the field that you may forget when heading back to the campground. Observe, sketch and take notes before the bird flies away or your view gets obscured.
With the various species in the area, it is a great idea to familiarize yourself with the general anatomy of birds. They come in different shapes, sizes, colors and plumage. Ensuring you know the anatomy terms helps you identify the birds with your field guide.
Even birds that look similar have different calls — knowing them may help you identify the bird. There are plenty of apps, online video resources and recordings you can use to familiarize yourself with the bird sounds before you even leave the house. Mobile apps can remind you of the calls while you are birding.
Viewing a bird in the distance or with binoculars may make it difficult to judge their size. Try to use common birds as a benchmark to help you get an idea of their size. For example, knowing the bird you are observing is smaller than a crow and larger than a robin can help you identify the bird correctly. Take note of the shape of beaks, tails and wings — these are often telling in identifying the variety or species.
Birds are fascinating creatures. Their feathers can vary with the seasons, from male or female, from nestlings to adults. Knowing these variations allows you to identify and distinguish the birds correctly.
Behaviors are also a great way to determine the bird type. Observe whether the bird is solitary or in a group and how it flies, eats, rests, walks or perches. All of these characteristics can assist with identification.
Start your birding adventure by booking at Galveston Island KOA Holiday. Our campground is the perfect place to stay when you are looking for Galveston Island wildlife. We are situated near the beach, offer pristine amenities and have a variety of ways to stay — from Deluxe Cabins to spacious RV Sites. Book your stay today!
That doesn't mean this area has to always be empty. When you start reviewing camping options, your history will display here to help compare sites and find the best stay. You will be able to share your stay information with friends or family and save it for a later time if you have a KOA Account.
Make checkout easy by booking all your reservations at once. Add your sites from different campgrounds into your shopping cart* and then choose checkout.
