Beyond The Transaction

The Crestmark Concierge.

Closing is the beginning. Our network makes the rest of coastal ownership effortless.

Renovation & Design

Vetted architects and coastal builders, introduced and project-managed end to end.

Dock & Vessel

Lift installation, slip transfers, and captains — handled before you've unpacked.

Coastal Risk

Introductions to Brightway Insurance, Crestmark Agency — an agency under common ownership with Crestmark Realty. Flood, wind, and elevation specialists who work this coast daily.

You are not required to use Brightway Insurance, Crestmark Agency and are free to shop any provider. Crestmark Realty may receive compensation if you use Brightway Insurance, Crestmark Agency. Affiliated business disclosure

Property Watch

For second homes — storm prep, maintenance, and a trusted set of eyes year-round.

Lifestyle Access

Marina memberships, charters, and the reservations that aren't on any app.

Portfolio Counsel

Perspective on when to hold, when to trade up, and when the market is ready.

The Crestmark Concierge · I

Renovation & Design

Vetted architects and coastal builders, introduced and project-managed end to end.

How it works

  1. We walk the home with you — before you buy, or after the keys are yours — and write down what you want it to become.
  2. We introduce architects and builders who work under coastal codes every day, and sit in on the first meetings.
  3. We keep track of permits, inspections and milestones until the house is handed back.

Know before you build

  • Windstorm. Most exterior work in Galveston County needs a Texas Department of Insurance windstorm inspection. The WPI-8 certificate that follows keeps the home eligible for TWIA wind coverage.
  • Flood. In a flood zone, a large renovation can trigger the 50% “substantial improvement” rule, which can require bringing the home up to current elevation standards.
  • Beachfront. Work near the dunes can need a City of Galveston Beachfront Construction Certificate and Dune Protection Permit.

Useful links

Request an introduction
The Crestmark Concierge · II

Dock & Vessel

Lift installation, slip transfers, and captains — handled before you've unpacked.

How it works

  1. We measure what the water can actually take: depth at mean lower low water (MLLW), bridge clearance to open water, lift capacity.
  2. We line up the marine contractor for the lift, dock or bulkhead work, and the slip if the boat lives off-site.
  3. We introduce licensed captains for deliveries, and someone to keep the boat ready.

Know before you build

  • Permits. Docks, piers, bulkheads and lifts over tidal water generally need a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit from the Galveston District, and often local approval too.
  • Registration. Boats in Texas are registered and titled through Texas Parks and Wildlife.
  • The numbers. Every waterfront listing we publish carries the water numbers that decide whether your boat fits.

Useful links

Talk to us about your boat
The Crestmark Concierge · III

Coastal Risk

On this coast, insurance is usually three policies, not one: windstorm, flood and homeowners. Elevation changes the numbers more than anything else.

How it works

  1. Pull the flood zone and the elevation certificate before you make an offer.
  2. Price windstorm, flood and homeowners separately — and get the quotes in writing.
  3. Put the totals into the true cost of ownership, next to the mortgage.

Worth knowing

  • Windstorm. Galveston County is a first-tier coastal county, so wind cover often comes from TWIA or the private market rather than a standard policy.
  • Flood. Flood is separate — through the NFIP or a private carrier. TWIA has its own flood-coverage requirement for some properties; check it before you buy.
  • Your choice. You are free to use any insurance provider you like.

Useful links

Run the numbers
The Crestmark Concierge · IV

Property Watch

For second homes — storm prep, maintenance, and a trusted set of eyes year-round.

How it works

  1. We agree a watch plan for the months you're away: how often someone walks the house, and what they check.
  2. When a named storm is coming, the plan's storm checklist goes to work — outdoor furniture, shutters, the boat and the lift.
  3. After the weather, you get a report and photos, and we meet the contractors so you don't have to fly in.

Worth knowing

  • Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs June 1 to November 30.
  • Plans are tailored. What's included, and how often, is agreed home by home.

Useful links

Ask about a watch plan
The Crestmark Concierge · V

Lifestyle Access

Marina memberships, charters, and the reservations that aren't on any app.

How it works

  1. Tell us how you like to spend a weekend.
  2. We make the calls — tables, slips, clubs and charters.
  3. You show up.

Start here

  • Our own short list of the island's best tables, slips, clubs, courts and quiet beaches is further down this page.

Useful links

Ask our concierge
The Crestmark Concierge · VI

Portfolio Counsel

Perspective on when to hold, when to trade up, and when the market is ready.

How it works

  1. We look at what you own the way a buyer would: the rental rules, the carrying costs, the flood and wind exposure.
  2. We compare that with what's selling now on your island.
  3. You get a straight answer — hold, improve, or sell — and the reasons behind it.

Worth knowing

  • Rental rules differ by island. Tiki Island prohibits short-term rentals; Galveston generally permits them with city registration.
  • Your county record — value, land and improvements — is public on the Galveston Central Appraisal District site.

Useful links

Request a confidential conversation
The Insider Coast

Where we'd send you.

Our own short list for Tiki Island and Galveston — the tables, the slips and the quiet corners we point clients to first.

Tables on the water

The rooms worth the wait.

The dozen rooms worth the wait — and the chef's counters only locals book.

On the water

  1. 01

    Number 13 Prime Steak & Seafood

    7809 Broadway St · Offatts Bayou

    A steakhouse at Pelican Rest Marina — steaks aged in house, and bayou views from the dining room and terrace.

    Website
  2. 02

    Gaido's

    Seawall Blvd at 39th St

    Family-run on the seawall since 1911, and named one of the James Beard Foundation's America's Classics in 2025.

    Website
  3. 03

    The Fancy at Hotel Lucine

    1002 Seawall Blvd

    Coastal cooking with a Gulf-view patio and weekend brunch.

    Website
  4. 04

    Waterman's Restaurant

    14302 Stewart Rd · West End

    Decks over the bay beside Waterman's Marina — some guests arrive by boat.

    Website
  5. 05

    Fisherman's Wharf

    2200 Harborside Dr · Pier 22

    Harbor-side seafood in a former packing building, beside the tall ship Elissa.

    Website

Worth the wait

  1. 06

    The Steakhouse at San Luis

    5222 Seawall Blvd · The San Luis Resort

    A AAA Four Diamond dining room for steaks and live Maine lobster. Dinner Tuesday to Saturday; jackets preferred.

    Website
  2. 07

    Vargas Cut & Catch

    2102 Postoffice St · Downtown

    Prime steaks, a deep wine list and Gulf red snapper.

    Website
  3. 08

    Palmetto Osteria

    12 Evia Main · Evia

    Coastal Italian with handmade pasta and a view of the lake. Dinner only.

    Website
  4. 09

    Saltwater Grill

    2017 Postoffice St · Downtown

    A Postoffice Street bistro known for its crab cake and chardonnay mussels, with prime rib on Wednesdays. Dinner only.

    Website
  5. 10

    Rudy & Paco

    2028 Postoffice St · by the Grand 1894 Opera House

    Central and South American cooking — ceviche, ropa vieja, empanadas — before or after the show.

    Website

Where locals go

  1. 11

    Maceo Spice & Import Co.

    2706 Market St

    An Italian deli and spice shop since 1944. The muffuletta is the order.

    Website
  2. 12

    The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe

    512 14th St

    A husband-and-wife breakfast room: oysters Benedict and challah French toast.

    Website
  3. 13

    Shrimp 'N Stuff

    3901 Avenue O · also 216 23rd St

    Hand-battered shrimp po'boys at the counter, an island habit for about forty years.

    Website
  4. 14

    Good Dough Kolache Bakery

    1506 39th St

    Kolaches and doughnuts made from scratch every morning.

    Website
Where to keep her

Slips, fuel & a good dockmaster.

Most Tiki Island homes have their own dock on the canal. These are for fuel, service, haul-outs and the boat that has outgrown the lift.

On the island & at the bridge

  1. 01

    Pelican Rest Marina

    7819 Broadway St · Offatts Bayou

    Deep-water concrete floating docks built for big yachts, with a fuel dock, travel lift and ship store — and Number 13 next door.

    Website
  2. 02

    Galveston Yacht Basin

    715 N Holiday Dr · Galveston Channel

    The harbor's working marina: regular, non-ethanol and diesel fuel, a travel lift, dry stack and a ship store.

    Website
  3. 03

    Harborwalk Yacht Club & Marina

    1445 Harborwalk Blvd · Hitchcock

    A private yacht club minutes from Tiki Island, with gas and diesel, a restaurant and a pool. Visiting boaters join on a temporary membership.

    Website
  4. 04

    Tiki Island public boat ramp

    407 Virginia Point Rd · Jones Bay

    Launch on Jones Bay. There is no fuel here — for fuel, run to Harborwalk or Pelican Rest.

    Directions

Up the bay

  1. 05

    Seabrook Marina & Shipyard

    1900 Shipyard Dr · Seabrook

    At the mouth of Clear Lake: the Blue Marlin Fuel Dock (diesel and non-ethanol gas, open daily), transient slips, and 70- and 50-ton travel lifts for haul-outs.

    Website
  2. 06

    Lakewood Yacht Club

    2425 NASA Pkwy · Seabrook

    A private club since 1955, with slips for boats from 40 to 130 feet.

    Website
The good life, mapped

Clubs, courts & quiet sand.

Clubs, courts, and quiet beaches off the tourist trail.

Clubs

  1. 01

    Galveston Country ClubPrivate

    14228 Stewart Rd · West End

    Founded in 1898: eighteen holes with an island green on the sixth, plus tennis and a pool.

    Website
  2. 02

    Moody Gardens Golf CoursePublic

    1700 Sydnor Ln

    The island's renovated public course, owned by the city and run by Moody Gardens.

    Website

Courts

  1. 03

    Galveston Island PickleballPublic

    At Moody Gardens Golf Course

    Four new outdoor courts with open play every day.

    Website
  2. 04

    Lasker Park courtsPublic, free

    43rd St & Avenue Q

    Free city courts, lined for both tennis and pickleball.

    Court info

Quiet beaches & open space

  1. 05

    Galveston Island State ParkState park

    14901 FM 3005

    Beach and bay in one park — paddling trails, birding blinds and a rebuilt beach side. Check park alerts for boardwalk closures.

    Website
  2. 06

    West End Pocket ParksPublic

    7 1/2 Mile Rd and 9 Mile Rd

    West End sand well away from the seawall. Pocket Park 2 has showers and a beach grill.

    Website
  3. 07

    Lafitte's Cove Nature PreservePublic, free

    Eckert Dr off Stewart Rd

    A stop on the Texas Coastal Birding Trail — best in spring and fall migration.

    Directions
  4. 08

    East End Lagoon & Big ReefPublic

    Boddeker Rd · East End

    684 acres of trails with a kayak launch; at low tide Big Reef runs out toward the South Jetty.

    Directions
  5. 09

    Kempner ParkPublic

    2704 Avenue O

    An oak-shaded city park around the historic Garten Verein pavilion.

    Directions

San Luis Pass is for views and bank fishing only. Swimming there is prohibited because of deadly currents.

Independent picks by Crestmark Realty, checked October 2026. No business paid to be listed. Hours, menus, fuel, slips and memberships change — please call ahead.

Package 3 · Elite Experience