The Barrier Islands are kind of like the Florida Keys of Texas.
When most kinfolk think of Texas in the summertime , imagination ofbarbecueand Lone Star - shaped swimming pools might get to mind — but how about mahimahi , rocket launches , and sandcastles the size of genuine castle ? The state ’s barrier islands might surprise you .
What the Keys are to Florida , the roadblock islands are to Texas : A 234 - mile string of islands that hug the Gulf of Mexico coast , made primarily of sand built up over thousands of year from tidal ebb and flow , ranging in sizing from four sea mile to the largest roadblock island on Earth . There are seven main island in sum , and just like Snow White ’s Seven Dwarfs , each one has a totally clear-cut personality , from the touristy trappings of Galveston to the pure purdah of San Jose .
No matter your summertime beach vibration of choice , Texas ’ barrier islands drive home . Want some R&R on a remote beach populate almost solely by seagulls ? You receive it . need to go kayak in anational green ? That ’s a decided possibility . desire to eat foot - long corn dogs and “ mermaid soup ” ? you’re able to and youshould — and residuum assured no mermaids were harmed in the making of either of those airiness . Here ’s your guide to Texas ’ roadblock islands .
Olga Melhiser Photography/Moment Open/Getty
Galveston
The northmost roadblock island , and by far the most popular with more than7 million annual visitant , Galveston ’s report as a summer beach goal for Texans can mostly be chalked up to its proximity to nearby Houston . Although it has fairly of a campy repute thanks to itsPleasure Pierboardwalk , eccentric mini golf courses , sea polo-neck statues in Lisa Frank coloration , andpyramid - shaped marine museum , give it sort of an Atlantic City of the South aesthetic , Galveston actually has a deal going for it(including some seriouslyexcellent fish taco ) . The 27 - mile island is Texas ’ quirkiest roadblock island , teeming with endear kitsch , historic computer architecture , and great - than - life maritime traditional knowledge ( you could teach all about the island ’s pirate account andlegendary number like Jean Lafitte ) .
The most firmly - to - miss attraction , the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier , is a gigantic boardwalk trace with carnival games and enough drive to fill a theme green , include the Iron Shark Rollercoaster and the Pirate ’s Plunge gulch ride . For something a bit more subdued , The Grand 1894 Opera Houseis an ornate asylum , home to popular productions like Charles Dickens ’ A Christmas Carol . The theater hearken to the island ’s earliest twenty-four hours , when Galveston first emerged as a basal shipping and immigration porthole in the 1800s .
Nearby is The Strand , Galveston ’s historic , bayside district filled with Victorian and Greek Revival computer architecture . You ’ll also find thetall ship Elissa , an 1877 vas that now serves as a float museum of maritime history . Further south on the island , Jamaica Beachoffers a quieter reprieve from the touristy cacophony , for those look to soak up the sun without being cast under the shadow of the Galaxy Wheel .
Galveston|Mark Taylor Cunningham/Shutterstock
Follet’s Island
Next up on the coastal roster — and basically the antithesis of Galveston in terms of hustle and bustle — Follet ’s Islandstretches along 13 miles between the San Luis Pass and Surfside Beach , a smaller , largely unmoved and unexploited landscape , keep for some distant beach houses that work as the idealistic letting for those looking for some zen .
The intact island is one bad beach , most of which is quiet and encompassing exposed , providing plenteous opportunity for swimming , surfboarding , jet skiing , fishing , shell hunting , Johann Sebastian Bach tenting , and kayak . It ’s entirely free to visit and camp , and super nerveless appointment idea – beach horseback ridingis welcome . Whatever your chill action of choice , the sand dunes are off limits ( that ’s where the Snake hang , y’ all ) and ensure tobe mindful of sea turtles ; give them a wide-cut berth if you blot one , and account sightings to local maritime authorities by calling 1 - 866 - TURTLE-5 to assist protect them .
Matagorda Island
If you intend Follet ’s Island was quiet , just wait until you see what ’s next . Further south , Matagorda Island is the Lone Star ’s most remote island , a 38 - mile stretch of solitudeonly approachable by gravy holder . A far cry from the shrieking thrill rides of Galveston , Matagorda — its name Spanish for “ thick bush”—is mostly comprise of the marshy Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuge and State Natural Area .
For visitors who have a individual boat , or are able to charter one , the gondola - free island is a beachy citadel for furrowed campers uncoerced to forego the nuance of electrical energy and ply water . As wild as a time of year of Survivor , this is an unexploited place keep for primitive action like saltwater sportfishing , birding , and in - time of year hunt . For those with a valid hunting license , around 20,000 acres of land are open to cervid and waterfowl , just as long as you keep in head that whooping Hart Crane , which occasionally flock to the area , are endangered and protect . At night , thanks to its remoteness and lack of light defilement , stargazingis a popular interest out here , too .
San Jose Island
every bit as unaffected as Matagorda , yet decidedly easier to get at , San Jose Island dwell at once northwards of populated Port Aransas on Mustang Island , where ajettytakes visitant back and forward all daytime . Bring your own sweetener and beer and basque in its 21 naut mi of primitive beachfront , known for its excellent fishing for rosefish and trout ( especially off the craggy bound of the North Jetty ) and dateless beach combing opportunities for seashell groupies . Since it ’s altogether protected as a sanctuary for wildlife , cars are also prohibited here . Fun fact : While you wo n’t see car , you may see wild cows wander the beach thanks to the island ’s chronicle as a former ranch .
Though quiet and uncertain , St. Joe , as it ’s called by locals , is teeming with Texas account . It was the first site to aviate theAmerican flag on Texas grime , when a lieutenant swam ashore from the USS Alabama and planted it in the sand in 1845 . A shortly - lived town on the island , called Aransas , was tear down by Union force in the Civil War . In 1935 , loaded oil top executive Sid Richardson launch a miles - long ranch and demesne , where he once gain ground and dine with the the likes of of President Franklin D. Roosevelt . Said estate is long become , but riches may or may not stay — legend has it that pirate Jean Laffite ’s ghoststill sits guard of his buried treasurethere . Ahoy !
Mustang Island
While San Jose provide remote solitude and potential pirate rich people , the island on the other side of Aransas Pass is a haven of seafood restaurant , margarita , beachside festivals , and Easter - testis - color cottages . Mustang Island draws in family and spring breaker alike , particularly in the city of Port Aransas that contain most of the 18 - mile island . Lafitte used to frequent the island ( arguably making him the original spring circuit breaker ) , and though you likely wo n’t find his buried treasure here , you ’re sure to find jewels of other kinds — award - make headway sand sculptures , adrenaline - pumping jet ski jaunts , and all the half-pint and redfish you may comfortably eat .
For a Ithiel Town with a year - pear-shaped population under 4,000 , Port Aransas is surprisingly happening and delightfully quirky . hold in outTexas SandFest , its annual spring attraction rock live music , carnival - manner bite from foot - long corndogs to funnel cakes , and epic sand sculpture right on the beach .
Further north on the island , there ’s a beach where you’re able to drive your car on the sand ( a decent gadget for heavy - duty fishermen ) , while seafood - centric restaurants abound further inland . TryLisabella ’s , a beachy - voguish restaurant find in the bougie community Cinnamon Shore ( named for the fact that Port Aransas ’ beaches expect like they ’re whirl with cinnamon ) . There you may pair on - style espresso martini with cheesy , baked oysters , pancetta - enwrap prawn , and something call Mermaid Soup : a curry potpourri of lobster - coconut broth and shrimp — and , mercifully , no mermaids .
Matagorda Island|Damon Rushing/Shutterstock
To fully immerse yourself in the action - packed island , though , you postulate to get out on the piddle , and by that we imply go on a guided blue jet ski romp . Gettin ’ Salty Watersportstakes visitors out into the bay and over to a distich of seashell - strewn islands , with lots of thrilling mahimahi sighting along the way .
Padre Island
You may have heard of Padre Island . It ’s not only Texas ’ largest , it ’s also the largest barrier island in the earth ( NBD ) . Clocking in at a casual 113 mi , Padre Island is bookended by Corpus Christi and Padre Island National Seashore on the north and beach bars and root parking lot ride on the Confederate States of America . of course , an island larger than the state of Delaware is bound to have a wide array of drawing card , and Padre Island is the sort of something - for - everyone enclave that extend the gamut from urban junket to all - natural quiet and nature conserve .
Divvied into North Padre Island and South Padre Island , break by the Port Mansfield Channel , the top one-half get down with Corpus Christi , the most populated area in the realm . From the Selena Museum and the Texas State Aquarium to beachside breweries and guided tours aboard the USS Lexington , there ’s no shortage of great deal to drink in here . North Padre is also home to a national park website , Padre Island National Seashore , the longest stretch of unexploited roadblock island in the world and cogent evidence that that whole “ everything ’s gravid in Texas ” motto is n’t always an eye - wander banality . idealistic for those who want to knock into the“quiet life sentence ” traveling trend , the 66 - nautical mile park is a mecca for sportfishing , kayaking , windsurfing , boo watching and ocean turtle sighting , and primitive tent camping on the Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin .
On the southern side of the TV channel , South Padre is known equally as a folk - friendly pickup and a rowdy collegiate bounce break staple fiber . It ’s swarming with beach bars ( includingClayton ’s , the largest beach bar in the res publica ) , live music , circus ride , anenormous water park , andGravity Park , a theme park with some seriously acute attractions , including the “ tall reverse - bungee cord in the universe . ” you’re able to also ship on asunset standup paddleboard tour , take an epinephrin - blastingsurfing , kiteboarding , or windsurfing deterrent example , and go on a seafood spree with peel - and - eat Gulf peewee , grill oyster , and blacken ruddy snapper at hotspots likeDirty Al’sandSea Ranch Restaurant . Of course , with this much fuel consumption rate of coastline , there are plenty of beaches to choose from , too , like Isla Blanca Park and South Padre Bayside Beach .
San Jose Island|Flickr/Shiva Shenoy
Brazos Island
The last roadblock island is also the teeniest . Also known as Brazos Santiago Island , this lilliputian four - miler is habitation to Brazos Island State Scenic Park and its217 unexploited acresof seaboard wilderness . You ’ll find the passive retreat just northwards of the mouth of the Rio Grande , a calm spot for swim , sportfishing , bird watching , promising dolphin - maculation , and camping .
Aside from that , the latest draw the area is known for is that it ’s the launching deftness for Elon Musk’sSpaceX , which set up store on theBoca Chita peninsula . There , visitors can watch the world ’s rich man — and the god of Twitter , we mean X — show off his jillion by blare projectile into place .
Padre Island|Joe M. O’Connell/Moment Open/Getty
