Galveston Beach Patrol officials said the man appears to be in his early 40s, but they have not identified him yet.
According to investigators, a woman who was swimming nearby found the victim around 4pm. She and her husband dragged him out of the water and a bystander, who was a registered nurse, started CPR.
The man was rushed to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Officials said the man's friends told them he drank several beers. Investigators are calling the death a drowning.
