East Beach (R.A. Apffel Park)

At the far eastern tip of Galveston Island, where the Gulf meets Galveston Bay, East Beach sits adjacent to the 700-acre East End Lagoon Nature Preserve — and it's the only beach on the island where alcohol is permitted. The park board runs it as R.A. Apffel Park, with sand volleyball courts, a pavilion, chair and umbrella rentals, and views of ships moving through the shipping channel. Nesting shorebirds bring serious birders during breeding season; conservation areas are fenced off to protect them.