Plenty of people has said the beaches are dirty (although the water has been clearer since Ike). That's what you get for being West of the Mississippi. You really don't go to Galveston to swim. As far as your other question...I have no idea. As far as I know, you don't need a reservation to get one of those bbq pits. It's first come first serve. My sister has a place on the West End. We go there about once a month. The further West you go, the more peaceful it is.
Definitely agree that it's quieter out west but why do people get freaked out about swimming in galveston water? like you said, it's just silt from the Mississippi River.
It's not that bad, but when you've been to other beaches in Mexico or Florida, you're a little less inclined to swim. You never know what you're going to step on.
my parents used to have a house there in Pirate's Beach. i remember there would be times where it would be very clear. i understand people from outside of houston not knowing and assuming it's oil or pollution...but people from the houston/galveston area should know better.
