Barry's stretch of coast, on the Bristol Channel, has the world's second highest tidal range of 15 metres (49 ft),[1] second only to the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada.

Gerallt Gymro, also known in French: Gerald de Barri, Latin: Giraldus Cambrensis and Gerald of Wales, wrote "Not far from Caerdyf (sic) is a small island situated near the shore of the Severn, called Barri, from St. Baroc, who formerly lived there, and whose remains are deposited in a chapel overgrown with ivy, having been transferred to a coffin.

From hence a noble family, of the maritime parts of South Wales, who owned this island and the adjoining estates, received the name of de Barri.

"[12] Going on to describe the island's well,[13] he wrote: "It is remarkable that, in a rock near the entrance of the island, there is a small cavity, to which, if the ear is applied, a noise is heard like that of smiths at work, the blowing of bellows, strokes of hammers, grinding of tools, and roaring of furnaces ; and it might easily be imagined that such noises, which are continued at the ebb and flow of the tides, were occasioned by the influx of the sea under the cavities of the rocks.

They say after many other voyages during which it is rumoured, he fought off many other pirates (source unverifiable), he eventually died when he was caught in a great storm on the coast, during which his ship was irreparably damaged and sank to the bottom of the ocean.

[citation needed] The locals who believe the legend of Benedict claim that their defender still lingers in the rocky areas on the South coast, protecting the inhabitants from foreign invaders.

John Leland, in speaking of this island, says, 'The passage into Barrey isle at ful se is a flite shot over, as much as the Tamise is above the bridge.

The isle is about a mile in cumpace, and hath very good corne, grasse, and sum wood; the ferme of it worth aio a yere.

'"[12] Ernest Rhys, the Editor, adds in 1908: "The 'fair little chapel' has disappeared, and 'Barry Island' is now, since the construction of the great dock, connected with the mainland, it is covered with houses, and its estimated capital value is now £250,000.

The ashes of Fred West, British serial killer, were scattered on Barry Island after his body had been cremated on 29 March 1995.

The Island also served as the setting for Pleasure Park on ITV Wales as part of the It's My Shout short film series.

"Warship Class" from the 2008 debut album by Silvery is set in Woodham Brothers scrapyard and mentions Barry Island.