About
Where can you go in Galveston, where there's excellent fishing, something for the kids, and a memorial for Navy WWII vessels?Answer: Seawolf Park.
Located on Pelican Island, this park stands out for its remarkable fishing opportunities, making it a favorite among anglers. It's more than just a fishing pier; the park is a family-friendly destination where visitors can enjoy picnicking, turtle and dolphin watching, and immersing themselves in nature.
It serves as a memorial to the USS Seawolf, a U.S. Navy submarine mistakenly sunk by American forces in 1944 during World War II. Following the war, the U.S. Congress mandated each state establish a memorial park for one of the lost U.S. Navy submarines.
Texas chose this site, and in 1971, the Gato-class submarine USS Cavalla was transferred here. The park was named after the USS Seawolf, acknowledging its role in the Pacific theater during the war. The location is close to area attractions like the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve and Moody Gardens, making it easy to plan multiple visits.
A prominent feature of Seawolf Park is the Galveston Naval Museum. Here, visitors can explore historic wartime vessels up close. They can board the USS Cavalla, a World War II submarine noted for sinking one of the Japanese aircraft carriers involved in the Pearl Harbor attack, and the USS Stewart, the only preserved Edsall-class destroyer escort in the U.S.
When visiting the Bolivar Peninsula area, add a trip to Seawolf Park to immerse yourself in history, fishing, and sightseeing opportunities.
Seawolf Park: Fun Facts & Cool Features
Seawolf Park is renowned for having one of the island's most popular fishing piers, picnic spots, and a playground. But there's more to Seawolf Park than just outdoor activities; it is also home to unique tourist attractions, including the Galveston Naval Museum.
One of Seawolf Park's most distinctive features is its collection of historic vessels and remnants. It houses the WWII submarine USS Cavalla and the USS Stewart, one of only three destroyer escorts worldwide.
Moreover, visitors can see the remains of the SS Selma, the largest concrete ship ever constructed, located northwest of the park's fishing pier.
The park also preserves the conning tower of the Balao-class submarine USS Carp and the sail of the Sturgeon-class nuclear attack submarine USS Tautog.
The USS Cavalla is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the USS Stewart is a National Historic Landmark, underscoring the park's historical significance.
Another cool feature of Seawolf Park is the display of two massive bronze ship propellers from the USS Stewart. Each propeller weighed over a ton and was powered by two diesel engines, contributing to the destroyer escort's impressive 6,000 horsepower and a maximum speed of 21 knots. Behind the propellers are two 3-inch, 50-caliber memorial guns donated by the battleship USS Texas, adding to the park's historical allure.
You may fish on the pier for a small fee, and there is also pedestrian access to the shoreline, where anglers can fish for free. The variety of fish in this area includes sand seatrout, speckled trout, gafftopsail catfish, drum, and flounder, among others.
Afterward, head to Galveston's top restaurants, like Vargas Cut and Catch or Trattoria La Vigna, to discuss your day over delicious cuisine. All this makes Seawolf Park a top thing to do on your vacation.
Getting There
Here's how you can reach Seawolf Park from Galveston:
- Start your journey on I-45 South into Galveston, where it becomes Avenue J / Broadway St.
- Take a left turn onto 51st St.
- Continue straight onto Pelican Island Causeway.
- Address: 100 Seawolf Park Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550.
Local Tips
- Watch for turtles and dolphins while picnicking or strolling in the park.
- Remember that Seawolf Park has specific rules - no glass or alcohol is permitted, pets must be on leashes, and open fires are prohibited.
- Drones or radio-controlled devices are not allowed.
- The park is open 24/7 from March 1 to December 16 and has specific hours for the rest of the year. Plan your visit accordingly.
