2025 Map of Palacios Point

About this map

The Matagorda Peninsula creates a narrow barrier between the open waters of the Gulf of America and the protected expanses of Matagorda Bay. This coastal landscape is defined by its low-lying marshlands and intricate network of tidal inlets, including Hilberts Bayou and Cotton Bayou. The modern Intracoastal Waterway cuts through the bay, serving as a vital shipping artery while separating the mainland points from the outer reef systems. Landforms such as Hotel Point and Palacios Point indicate the historic reach of the mainland toward the bay, while Halfmoon Reef sits submerged as a notable maritime feature. The geography here illustrates the ongoing struggle between the Gulf's surf and the delicate estuarine environment of Palacios Bayou, which drains into the upper reaches of the quadrangle near Co RD 3227.