Some of the men and women who work to keep our beaches safe, including Galveston Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis, from left, and lifeguards T.K. Mills, Gabriel Macicek, Daniel Gutierrez, Hallie Pauling and Michelle Gomez. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

Each May, Coast Monthly celebrates the launch of beach season. And there’s much to celebrate.

Laura Elder

It’s the time of year when thousands of visitors flock this way to discover what locals enjoy all year long. And it’s the time when many islanders reconnect with the Gulf of Mexico. The alluring scent of suntan lotion — or sunblock — is in the air. There’s something about the sound of seagulls and waves crashing that has a calming effect, one that has attracted humans to water since ancient times.

But sometimes, we get a little too relaxed on the beach, letting down our guard. This year, we’ve decided to salute some of the people who make the beaches safer — lifeguards with the Galveston Island Beach Patrol. While hanging out on the beach all day sounds like bliss, being a lifeguard is tough work, as you’ll read. We thank them for their service.

On the cover: Galveston Beach Patrol lifeguard T.K. Mills walks the shoreline on Stewart Beach. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

In this issue, we also focus on another beach community — Bolivar Peninsula, a 27-mile stretch of what people there call paradise. While just a quick ferry ride from Galveston, it feels like a whole other world. Coast Monthly writer Valerie Wells takes us on a tour of the peninsula, offering the highlights. We learned quickly that a day isn’t really enough. We suggest a long weekend.

This issue also features some amazing artists, homes and people who make beach communities so interesting.

Coast Monthly wishes you a safe and happy beach season.