High Island is an unincorporated community located in the Bolivar Peninsula census-designated place, Galveston County, Texas, United States.

Houston Audubon operates four bird sanctuaries in the area, and the community is globally famous destination for birdwatchers particularly during spring migration from April 1 to May 15.

[4] High Island once had a large number of producing oil wells and was served by the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway's branch line to Port Bolivar.

Following the 1942 abandonment of trackage on the Bolivar Peninsula, High Island became the new terminus of the line until Santa Fe Railway removed its bobtail-truss swing bridge over Mud Bayou in 1969.

During this spring migration, the birds must navigate the hundreds of miles of overwater flight to find refuge and food on their journey northward.

With its wooded areas and more ample feeding opportunities, almost every tree and open space in High Island is covered with exhausted birds.