| Texas barrier islands | |
| Image Map Alt: | Map depicting the Gulf Coast of Texas, with barrier islands labeled and color-coded |
| Image Map Caption: | Map of the barrier islands along the Gulf Coast of Texas |
| Coordinates: | 28°N -97°W |
| Location: | Gulf of Mexico |
| Total Islands: | 7 |
| Major Islands: | Galveston Island, Follet's Island, Matagorda Island, San José Island, Mustang Island, Padre Island, Brazos Island |
| Country: | United States |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | State |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Texas |
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 113miles.[1] Since 1962 Padre Island has been divided in two by the dredging of the Port Mansfield Channel roughly 30miles north of the south end of the island, which separated it into portions referred to as South Padre Island and North Padre Island.[2]
| Latitude | Name | Length | Estuary | class=unsortable | Map | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| data-sort-value="29.13" | 29°13' N | Galveston Island | 27miles | Trinity–San Jacinto Estuary (Galveston Bay) | ||
| data-sort-value="29.02" | 29°2' N | Follet's Island | 13miles | Christmas Bay Estuary | ||
| data-sort-value="28.14" | 28°14' N | Matagorda Island | 38miles | Guadalupe Estuary (San Antonio Bay) | ||
| data-sort-value="27.59" | 27°59' N | San José Island | 21miles | Mission–Aransas Estuary (Aransas Bay) | ||
| data-sort-value="27.44" | 27°44' N | Mustang Island | 18miles | Nueces Estuary (Corpus Christi Bay) | ||
| data-sort-value="26.5" | 26°50' N | Padre Island | 113miles | Laguna Madre Estuary | ||
| data-sort-value="26.02" | 26°2' N | Brazos Island | 4miles | Laguna Madre Estuary |