Is South Padre Island in Texas really an island?
South Padre Island is part of a large barrier island. The
barrier extends south from Corpus Christi Bay to Brazos Santiago
Pass and is separated from the mainland by Laguna Madre. It is 110
mi long and up to 3 mi wide. Consisting largely of sand dunes with
sparse vegetation, the entire Padre Island barrier, including South
Padre Island, is a popular resort, with excellent fishing and
abundant bird life. Until 1964, South Padre Island and Padre Island
were one and the same. In that year, the Port Mansfield Gulf
Channel was completed, permanently making one island two. The
northern island fell under the auspices of the federal government
and was declared Padre Island National Seashore.