The South’s Secret White-Sand Island Is Reopening For Tourism This Spring

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Avoiding Florida’s rowdy crowds this spring is so much simpler than you suppose.

All it’s a must to do is enterprise westward to a neighboring southern state to find pristine waters and gleaming white sand.

At first look, Gulf Shores, Alabama could come to thoughts, however that is not the fitting spot both. Everyone knows everything of Flor-Bama attracts hordes of tourists of all ages throughout spring break too.

Regardless of a lot of the Mississippi Coast’s ugly water, this state has turn into one of many South’s largest surprises for seaside holidays, even changing into a prime 5 most visited state.

That mentioned, there is a secret oasis past Gulfport and Biloxi that is closed off to guests for a piece of the yr, however set to reopen for tourism this spring.

Consider this island because the “anti-Mississippi” — a far cry from what you’d count on to see, because it’s extra corresponding to Florida’s vibrant seascape, besides there’s not a touch of crowds in sight.

Stage Up Your Seaside Recreation

There’s nothing fallacious with choosing Mississippi’s cluster of seaside cities lining the white-sand shoreline.

We at Travel Off Path have reported on nearly all of them, starting from the most well-liked Biloxi to the little-known Long Seaside.

That mentioned, all Mississippi’s pleasant coastal cities all have one factor in widespread: it is the not fairly the paradise you hope for a typical white-sand getaway.

Certain, you possibly can fish, boat, and relax and work in your tan, however snorkeling and perhaps even swimming, relying how squeamish you’re, are off the desk as oftentimes you possibly can’t see your ft when you’re 10 yards within the Gulf.

That is the place Ship Island is available in as Mississippi’s exception to the rule. A go to to this hush-hush hideaway, which southern locals like to preserve secret, ranges up your seaside sport from one white-sand shoreline to a different, besides it is much more luminous with clear, bluish-green waters excellent for swimming, snorkeling, and even wildlife recognizing, as many guests report dolphin sightings.

Undoubtedly scope out Swim Seaside for apparent causes…

It’s possible you’ll not see starfish, however you possibly can remodel right into a human starfish with a lot area to sprawl out — one thing that may’t be mentioned for Biloxi, Gulf Shores, and far of Florida, particularly throughout summer season.

Lone Ferry To Ship Island Restarts Service In March

Ship Island Excursions is the one choice to get right here, except you befriend a ship proprietor at a Gulfside marina.

In that case, Ship Island is open year-round. Nevertheless, a majority of Ship Island patrons go for the ferry in the course of the sunniest months of the yr.

This service holds rave critiques throughout the board. There are no accommodations on the island, so it will positively be a day journey.

That makes the $44 round-trip cost for adults and $38 for kiddos definitely worth the value of admission.

The newest reviewer claimed, “We went in august, THE WATER WAS CLEAR LIKE THE CARIBBEAN, we noticed so many crabs stingrays, ett. The ship island tour are all SO pleasant and useful. The boat has a really good air conditioned cabin”.

You possibly can already ebook your journey from March – November with a begin date of March 14, 2026 and finish date of November 1, 2026.

Take into accout, the ferry departs from Gulfport Harbor and does not function on Mondays and Tuesdays till the summer season season.

There are formally 3 seasons of service. As such, schedule instances could change:

• Spring: March 14th – Might fifteenth
• Summer season: Might sixteenth – August ninth
• Fall: August twelfth – November 1st

No Lodges, However Brimming With Historical past

Ship Island is run by the Nationwide Park Service as a part of the Nationwide Seashore, which spans Florida and Mississippi.

Fort Massachusetts helps guests take the main target off what the island lacks — you recognize, accommodations, shade, and seaside bars.

This Civil Conflict masonry fort courting again to the 1850s is price a go to (and guided tour) not solely to have a break from the solar, however to deep dive into Ship Island’s strategic position within the Civil Conflict.

Moreover, NPS rangers not solely present insightful excursions, but additionally have a sales space to hire seaside loungers, reserve picnic tables, and promote snacks and refreshments from an on-site comfort retailer.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Author & Journalist based mostly in San Diego has visited 36 nations and written over 1000 articles with a give attention to sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a light-weight on lesser-known gems.