Florida tends to steal the spotlight when it comes to premiere beach vacations, but it’s time to take the spotlight back and allow their southern neighbors to take center stage.
If anywhere in the South has a claim to fame for white sand beaches aside from Florida, it’s Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Shores, but that’s no secret.
What is held close to the vest is Mississippi’s stunning barrier island off the coast of Biloxi, the state’s most notable coastal getaway.
Oddly enough, and quite ironic given the horrific weather raging nearby, Mississippi and Alabama have Hurricane Camille to thank in the 1960’s for splitting up a pair of islands, divvying them up between both states.
What’s left on the Mississippi side is Ship Island, a surprising Gulf paradise boasting bright white sand and far fewer crowds than Florida’s busy beaches.
Make Your Base In Biloxi
Mississippi doesn’t get its due for how much of a fun beach destination it can be.
The Gulf Coast between Louisiana and Alabama borders ranges from name-brand resorts (and casinos), white sand beaches, to some of the best seafood you could imagine.
In fact, you could argue the lively town of Biloxi is one of the best alternatives to Las Vegas to let loose and neighboring Gulfport is becoming more popular by the day.
Picking between the two is something you’ll likely want to do as Ship Island has no hotels, but hey, that’s all part of the appeal!
Biloxi offers the best selection of accommodations, but Gulfport is the best place to depart for Ship Island, roughly 11 miles offshore.
You have pretty beaches and some of the top household names for casinos and hotels to choose from, such as:
- Margaritaville
- Hard Rock
- Harrah’s
- Golden Nugget
Best of all, they’re all typically very affordable, offering incredible value compared to the same properties in other cities.
As a sample size, the Golden Nugget and Hard Rock is as low as $130 per night for last-minute stays in October.
Affordable Ferry To Mississippi’s Secret Slice Of Paradise
You may feel like you’re shuffling around Mississippi’s coastlines, but the good news is it’s all beautiful, even the hidden gems surrounding Gulfport and Biloxi.
That being said, Ship Island is unmatched, which is why the ferry service is so popular amongst locals and tourists in the know.
As I mentioned, Ship Island offers no hotels or vacation rentals, so this will definitely be a day trip.
In fact, its only inhabitants have fins, wings or 4 legs unless this is where Bigfoot has been hiding out all along.
While that’s highly unlikely, what you may find are dolphin sightings along the way as reported by recent island-goers.
Departing Gulfport are ferries operated by Ship Island Excursions. Prices range from $38 – $44 and run through the end of October.
The trip takes about an hour to reach Ship Island’s pristine shores where you’ll forgot all about Florida’s cramped beaches in place of the wide open spaces of this Mississippi gem.
You’ll have at your fingertips long stretches of beautiful beaches to lounge at, scenic hiking and biking trails, and if you’re lucky, ample wildlife sightings like sea turtles, a variety of birds, and those same dolphins you may have seen on your journey here.
Tip: Ship Island’s designated Swim Beach is located on the south side of the island (make sure to bring sunblock!)
Ship Island’s Fascinating Historical Site
The big surprise isn’t just the island exists, but the historical treasure awaiting you.
You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate Fort Massachusetts, a masonry fort dating back to the 1850’s that played a significant role in the Civil War.
As it stands today, at the very least, it makes for awesome photo-ops, but those who want to take a deeper dive into its deeply rooted past can go on a guided or self-guided tour provided by the National Park Service (NPS).
Visitors can also rent beach chairs, reserve picnics, and grab snacks and refreshments from the convenient store operated by the NPS.
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