Texas barrier islands
Map depicting the Gulf Coast of Texas, with barrier islands labeled and color-coded
Map of the barrier islands along the Gulf Coast of Texas
Geography
LocationGulf of Mexico
Coordinates28°N 97°W / 28°N 97°W / 28; -97
Total islands7
Major islandsGalveston Island, Follet's Island, Matagorda Island, San José Island, Mustang Island, Padre Island, Brazos Island
Administration
StateTexas

The Texas barrier islands are a chain of barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico along the Texas Gulf Coast. The islands enclose a series of estuaries along the Texas coast and attract tourists for activities such as recreational fishing and dolphin watching. The seven barrier islands, listed from northeast to southwest, are Galveston Island, Follet's Island, Matagorda Island, San José Island, Mustang Island, Padre Island, and Brazos Island.[1]

Padre Island is the world's largest barrier island, with a length of 113 miles (182 km).[1] Since 1962 Padre Island has been divided in two by the dredging of the Port Mansfield Channel roughly 30 miles (48 km) north of the south end of the island, which separated it into portions referred to as South Padre Island and North Padre Island.[2]

List of islands

Latitude Name Length Estuary Map
29°13' N Galveston Island 27 miles (43 km) Trinity–San Jacinto Estuary (Galveston Bay) Galveston Island
29°2' N Follet's Island 13 miles (21 km) Christmas Bay Estuary Follet's Island
28°14' N Matagorda Island 38 miles (61 km) Guadalupe Estuary (San Antonio Bay) Matagorda Island
27°59' N San José Island 21 miles (34 km) Mission–Aransas Estuary (Aransas Bay) San José Island
27°44' N Mustang Island 18 miles (29 km) Nueces Estuary (Corpus Christi Bay) Mustang Island
26°50' N Padre Island 113 miles (182 km) Laguna Madre Estuary Padre Island
26°2' N Brazos Island 4.0 miles (6.4 km) Laguna Madre Estuary Brazos Island

References

  1. 1 2 Weddle, Robert S. "Gulf of Mexico". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  2. ↑ Leatherwood, Art. "Port Mansfield Channel". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
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