Crabby Cove – World-Class Bird Watching – Gulf, Bay & Waterway Views – Quiet, Private – Short Walk to Beach – Trailer Parking – Sleeps 5
Welcome to Crabby Cove — It`s a Great Day to Be at the Beach!
Kick off your shoes and feel the salt air the moment you arrive. Crabby Cove is a charming coastal retreat perched up on stilts on the quiet, rural side of Crystal Beach — a peaceful, affordable escape that`s perfect for a couple or a small family looking to unwind.
The Space The home comfortably sleeps 5. The king bedroom is a private, restful escape, while the bright living area offers flexible sleeping with a daybed, trundle, and a fold-out ottoman — plus a comfortable couch for a bonus spot — keeping everyone close and the good times rolling. The kitchen has a full-size electric range, granite counters, and everything you need to cook up your fresh catch or whip up a family feast.
Comfort Year-Round Stay cool in summer and cozy in winter with the mini-split system, plus a dehumidifier for the coastal humidity. Hot water comes from a large tankless propane water heater. Fast Wi-Fi and Roku TVs, too.
Wide-Open Views & World-Class Birding From the deck you`ll take in wide-open views of the Gulf, Galveston Bay, and the Intracoastal Waterway — sunrise coffee, afternoon shade, and star-filled skies at night. The Bolivar Peninsula sits right on the Central Flyway, one of the world`s premier bird-migration paths, with Bolivar Flats and the rookeries of High Island just up the road. Pelicans, herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, and countless shorebirds make Crabby Cove a bird watcher`s dream.
The Location Situated on the beautiful Bolivar Peninsula, Crystal Beach is the Gulf Coast gem that Texans keep coming back to. Drive right onto 27 miles of uncrowded beach, cast a line from the surf, hunt for shells and sea glass, or just settle into your beach chair and let the waves do the rest. Local shops are right around the corner, and The Big Store is a short drive away with groceries, supplies, and just about anything you need.
Day trip to Galveston on the free ferry — and we`ll let you in on our favorite little trick for skipping the ferry line in your welcome note. Grab fresh Gulf seafood at Stingaree, watch dolphins play in the surf at sunrise, or catch one of the legendary Bolivar Peninsula sunsets from the deck. There`s always something to do — or nothing at all, if that`s your style.
Sister Property Our sister property, Fish Fantasy, sits right next door and may have its own guests during your stay.
Please Note The home is elevated on stilts — 28 steps lead up to the front deck and entrance — so please keep that in mind for anyone with mobility limitations. Starter supplies are provided; beyond that, please plan to bring your own groceries, condiments, and toiletries.
Come experience the laid-back magic of Crystal Beach — Crabby Cove is ready and waiting for you! Guest Requirements The guest who books must be 25 or older and stay for the entire reservation. They are responsible for their group and any visitors for the full stay. Only registered guests are allowed unless approved in advance.
Parties & Behavior No parties or events without prior approval. Please respect our neighbors at all times — excessive noise that disturbs them may result in removal. Any disruptive, unsafe, or illegal behavior may result in immediate removal with no refund. The guest who booked is responsible for all damage and issues during the stay.
Pets Pets are welcome with prior approval. The side yard is fenced on all sides with a latching gate, so you can let the dogs out the door and they can`t get away from you. Only trained service animals as defined by the ADA are exempt from our pet policy and fee; emotional support, comfort, and therapy animals are treated the same as pets. The pet fee is $100 per stay for up to 2 pets, plus $50 per pet for up to 2 more (4 pets maximum). No puppies. Pets must stay off all furniture — please bring your own sheets or blankets to cover any furniture a pet will be on. Clean up after your pets inside and out, and keep them supervised. A $150 cleaning fee applies if pet rules aren`t followed.
Smoking No smoking or vaping inside the home. If you smoke outside, stay well away from doors and windows so no smoke drifts in, and dispose of butts in the outdoor trash. Any evidence of smoking or vaping inside results in a $300 fee.
Quiet Hours Quiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM. No amplified outdoor music after quiet hours.
Doors & Windows Please keep exterior doors closed at all times — not propped open. Our coastal humidity is hard on the home and open doors drive up cooling costs, and it keeps the mini-split near the door from sweating onto the floor.
Care of the Home Please don`t move or rearrange the furniture, and treat our home as you would your mother`s. Leave sandy shoes and beach gear on the patio or under the stairs, and brush off excess sand before coming inside.
Safety Follow all safety guidelines and supervise children on the deck and stairs. Your code opens the top lockbox — return the key to the top lockbox whenever you leave.
Trash & Cleanliness Bag all trash and place it in the outdoor bins. If the outdoor cans are full, leave tied bags inside the house so critters don`t get into them.
Maintenance Please let us know right away if anything stops working or any lights are out, so we can take care of it.
Checkout Before you leave: start a load of towels, run the dishwasher if there are dirty dishes, empty the refrigerator of all food, bag and remove trash, tidy up, and gather all personal items. Leave the AC and ceiling fans running, lock all doors and windows, turn off the lights, and return the key to the top lockbox (re-scramble the code).
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All events must be approved so no misunderstanding
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 25 kg per pet (limit 4 pets total)
Pets are allowed with approval.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Guest Requirements
The guest who books must be 25 or older and stay for the entire reservation.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 4835969vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: All events must be approved so no misunderstanding
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Port Bolivar
Located in Port Bolivar, this holiday home is in a rural area and near the beach. Crystal Beach and Gilchrist Beach reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Hooks Woods Bird Sanctuary and Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hunting and horse riding.
Is Crabby Cove – World-Class Bird Watching – Gulf, Bay & Waterway Views – Quiet, Private – Short Walk to Beach – Trailer Parking – Sleeps 5 pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 4 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet.
How much is parking at Crabby Cove – World-Class Bird Watching – Gulf, Bay & Waterway Views – Quiet, Private – Short Walk to Beach – Trailer Parking – Sleeps 5?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Crabby Cove – World-Class Bird Watching – Gulf, Bay & Waterway Views – Quiet, Private – Short Walk to Beach – Trailer Parking – Sleeps 5?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Crabby Cove – World-Class Bird Watching – Gulf, Bay & Waterway Views – Quiet, Private – Short Walk to Beach – Trailer Parking – Sleeps 5?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Crabby Cove – World-Class Bird Watching – Gulf, Bay & Waterway Views – Quiet, Private – Short Walk to Beach – Trailer Parking – Sleeps 5 located?
This family-friendly Port Bolivar holiday home is located near the beach, within a 5-minute walk of Gilchrist Beach and Crystal Beach. Hooks Woods Bird Sanctuary and Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary are also within 9 miles (15 km).
About the host
Hosted by Michael, Jean, Amy, or Alex
We’re a small, three‑generation family of homebuilders who have lived and worked along the Texas Gulf Coast for most of our lives. Building homes has been part of our family since 1974, and today it’s still just us — Mike and Jean, our kids Steve and Amy, and even our grandson Alex learning the ropes. We don’t run a big company or manage dozens of rentals. We simply take care of the homes we built ourselves, the same way we always have: with pride, hard work, and attention to the little details that make a stay feel comfortable.
Because we stay in these homes too, we experience them the same way our guests do. If something isn’t right, we fix it. If we find a way to make a stay easier or more enjoyable, we add it. Every improvement comes from real family time spent in these spaces — cooking meals, relaxing on the deck, watching the sun drop behind the marsh, and enjoying the slower pace that makes the peninsula special.
Hosting has become something we truly enjoy. We love meeting guests who appreciate quiet, laid‑back coastal living, whether they’re families making memories, couples looking to unwind, or fishermen and boaters who know the coast as well as we do. We’re nearby if you need us, but we always give guests privacy to enjoy their time.
We’re grateful for every person who chooses to stay in one of our homes. Our hope is simple: that you feel welcome, relaxed, and at home — and that you leave with the same appreciation for this place that our family has carried for generations.
Why they chose this property
We chose this neighborhood because it captures the peaceful, laid‑back coastal lifestyle our family has always loved. This part of the peninsula is quiet and low‑traffic, with open marsh views, bird activity, and the kind of natural calm that makes it easy to slow down and unwind. It’s the opposite of a crowded beach town — mornings are quiet, evenings are breezy, and the whole area has a relaxed, welcoming feel. The crowded beach is several miles away, so the beach in this area stays naturally uncrowded and gives guests plenty of space to spread out, even in summer.
We also appreciate the balance this location offers. Crystal Beach is just a short drive away when you want restaurants, shops, or activities, but the neighborhood itself stays calm even on busy weekends. It gives guests the best of both worlds: close to everything, but never in the middle of the noise.
Our family has built homes along the Gulf Coast for decades, and we’ve always been drawn to places that feel genuine and unhurried. This neighborhood has that same charm. Whether you’re enjoying coffee on the deck, watching the marsh at sunset, or taking a golf cart ride around the area, it’s a place where you can breathe a little deeper and enjoy the coast the way it used to be.
That’s why we chose this spot for CC — it reflects the quiet, easygoing coastal lifestyle our family loves and is a place we ’re proud to share with guests who appreciate the same things.
What makes this property unique
Crabby Cove reflects everything our family loves about the quieter side of the Bolivar Peninsula. We’re a small, three‑generation family of homebuilders, and we take pride in caring for the homes we built ourselves. CC is clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully arranged for easy, relaxed stays — the kind of place where guests can slow down and enjoy the coast the way it used to be.
The neighborhood is peaceful and low‑traffic, with open marsh views, bird activity, and a naturally calm atmosphere. The crowded beach is several miles away, so the beach in this area stays naturally uncrowded and gives guests plenty of space to spread out, even in summer. Guests love the quiet mornings, breezy evenings, and the sense of space that’s getting harder to find in busier beach towns.
We stay in our homes too, so every improvement comes from real experience. If something makes a stay easier or more enjoyable, we add it. Our goal is simple: provide a comfortable, welcoming place where families can relax, reconnect, and feel at home.