Barrier Islands

Barrier islands are long, thin islands made of sand that lie along the coast. They are separated from the mainland by a shallow body of water. Barrier islands help protect the mainland from big ocean waves and storms.

How Barrier Islands Form

Barrier islands are built by waves, wind, and ocean currents. Waves push sand toward the shore and pile it up. Over time, the sand builds into a long, narrow island. These islands can shift and change shape as storms move the sand around.

Life on Barrier Islands

Many barrier islands are popular beach vacation spots. The Outer Banks in North Carolina is a famous chain of barrier islands. Galveston Island in Texas is another well-known barrier island. These islands have sand dunes, grasses, and many shorebirds.

Fun Facts

• The United States has more barrier islands than any other country in the world.
• Barrier islands can move toward the mainland over time.
• The Outer Banks is where the Wright Brothers made their first airplane flight.

Did You Know?

About 2,500 barrier islands can be found along coastlines all around the world!