Barrier islands are constantly being shaped by factors like accretion, which is the process of sand building up to create new island structures; erosion; waves; and water currents, like longshore currents, which are currents that run parallel to the shore; and changes in climate due to global warming.

Barrier islands form in three ways. They can form from spits, from drowned dune ridges or from sand bars. Longshore drift is the movement of sand parallel to the shore caused by the angle of the waves breaking on the beach.

Consisting mostly of sand, they are formed primarily by waves and longshore currents. These barrier islands are typically separated from the mainland and may have lagoons, which are long, narrow, coastal bodies of water situated between the barrier…

slowed down, depositing larger, heavier sediment further inland, and smaller, fine-grained sediment further into the ocean. This process continued until the glaciers had finished retreating (leading to a rise in sea level) and the piles of sediment were high enough to rise above sea level, creating a barrier island.

Sea level changes – Rising sea levels tend to push barrier islands toward the mainland. Storms – Hurricanes and other storms have the most dramatic effects on barrier islands by creating overwash areas and eroding beaches as well as other portions of barrier islands.

This is due to plate tectonics. The United States is on the North American plate which is moving in a Northwesterly direction. The West coast is the leading edge and the East coast is the trailing edge. Barrier islands form on the trailing edge.

The disadvantage of the barrier island shoreline is exposed to many threats, such as storm erosion, reductions in sediment longshore drift and sea level rise. many human activities interfere with these natural movements, making the islands more vulnerable.

That’s because barrier islands aren’t permanent; they’re just accumulations of sand that form off the coast (many can be found on the U.S. East Coast). And it’s a natural state for these islands to grow and erode and get washed away.

Barrier islands are made of sandy, erodible soil and subject to high-energy wave action. Rather, they migrate naturally, building up sand in some areas and eroding in other areas. New islands can form out in the ocean, either because local sea level drops or tectonics or sediment deposition raises the ocean floor.

Barrier islands are basically perpetually rolling over, and sometimes disappear and reappear, or split in two, or migrate up a coast. This happens with atolls, too—waves and storms and wind move sand and sediment around. One big culprit that comes up when we talk about disappearing islands is sea level rise, of course.

No barrier islands are found on the Pacific Coast of the United States due to the rocky shore and short continental shelf, but barrier peninsulas can be found. Barrier islands can also be seen on Alaska’s Arctic coast.

Padre Island

Barrier islands provide valuable habitats for mammals, shellfish and fish including many endangered species, and offer a greater variety of bird species than any other ecosystem in the continental United States.

The holiday accommodation available on Great Barrier Island ranges from private and public campgrounds, and boutique bed and breakfast home-stays through to beautiful private beach houses and bush hide-aways.

Avoid day trips to Waiheke and Aotea / Great Barrier Island The Auckland region remains at Alert Level 3 where government guidance urges people to stay local for exercise and recreation.

The distance between Coromandel and Great Barrier Island is 63 km. The best way to get from Coromandel to Great Barrier Island without a car is to shuttle and bus and car ferry which takes 13h 3m and costs $180 – $230.

Great Barrier Island luggage allowance: 2 pieces per person (maximum weight per bag is 32kgs). Charges will apply for additional luggage, surfboards, bikes, kayaks, and animals….Auckland City to Tryphena.

The main thing to know is there is no regular public transport on the island. Over the peak Summer months transport options are limited due to high demand. Bookings are essential, to get the most from your trip and to avoid disappointment we highly recommend booking one of the below options well in advance: Car Rental.

There is Broadband internet from Tryphena to Claris, and free Wi-Fi at the Claris Library and store. We can’t offer you island wide cell phone coverage (yet), although you can get reception in parts of Tryphena, Medlands, Claris, Okupu, Okiwi and Port Fitzroy.

You can access free wifi internet at the Claris Airport and Claris library. In fact you can even use the library computers if you have no device of your own! You’ll find ‘free to use’ gas BBQ’s at Tryphena, Medlands Park, Okupu Beach and Motairehe in the north.

Great Barrier Island: a rugged road trip. Port Fitzroy is only 25 kilometres from Tryphena but it took us nearly three hours to drive there.