Galveston’s Shockingly Blue Water Makes a Dramatic Return — See How Long the Postcard Will Last

The blue water is back in Galveston. Consider it a rare treat for the dog days of summer, akin to seeing a meteor shooting across the sky or getting a sighting of Jadeveon Clowney anywhere near a football field.

OK, striking blue water in Galveston might not be Halley’s Comet rare. But any regular visitor to the island knows that clear water is not one of its regular charms. In fact, when blue water appeared off Galveston on Memorial Day weekend, it created a social media sensation.

Now, it’s returned — with Galveston Island’s official Twitter account gushing over its appearance. “We’ve been blessed with a perfect week of weather and water clarity,” @GalvestonIsland tweeted.

The cooler weather — by Texas summer standards — is being credited with creating a much bluer beach scene. But it could be gone by the end of the weekend.

It turns out a browner shade is more natural for Galveston.

“Generally, the water is typically brown in and around Galveston Bay,” Kristen Thyng, research assistant professor at Texas A&M University in Oceanography, told PaperCity‘s Annie Gallay. “This is because of things like suspended sediment and other materials suspended in the water.

“The brown water isn’t unhealthy or anything bad.”

Still, the blue water is more than twice as nice.

The striking blue has people tweeting about postcard Galveston scenes — and making plans for a quick getaway. There is just something about being able to take a dip in water — and actually being able to see your toes.

Blue water in Galveston tends to last only a few days before winds shift and a new influx mucks things up. Postcards don’t last forever.

For more on the Galveston blue water phenomenon, read the PaperCity exclusive on all the scientific truths of it.