In late February 2026, the water in Galveston is generally not warm enough for comfortable swimming. The average sea temperature in the Gulf of Mexico near Galveston in February is approximately 16°C to 17°C (61°F to 63°F). For most people, this is considered "chilly" to "cold," and spending more than a few minutes in the water without a wetsuit can be uncomfortable or even lead to cold shock. While the air temperature can occasionally hit a pleasant 21°C (70°F) on a sunny winter day, the water takes much longer to warm up and won't reach comfortable swimming levels (above 24°C/75°F) until late April or May. Most visitors in February enjoy the 30 miles of beachfront for walking, sandcastle building, and birdwatching rather than swimming. If you are looking for a warm winter swim in Texas, you would need to head much further south to South Padre Island, where the water is slightly warmer, or stick to the heated pools found at Galveston's luxury resorts like San Luis or Moody Gardens.