Ship Island Excursions

We took the trip out on November 14th with Ship Island Excursions to spread my aunt’s ashes, and I cannot express how grateful we are for the compassion and professionalism of the entire crew. From the moment we boarded, they treated us with kindness, respect, and genuine care. They went above and beyond to make sure the sendoff was peaceful, dignified, and truly beautiful. What could have been an emotional and stressful day became a heartfelt celebration of her life thanks to their guidance and support. The crew was outstanding—thoughtful, attentive, and incredibly understanding of the significance of the moment. Their small gestures made a huge impact, and our family will never forget it. If you’re considering any type of memorial or simply want a wonderful day on the water, I highly recommend Ship Island Excursions. They helped us give my aunt the sendoff she deserved, and we are deeply appreciative.

The ferry ride was enjoyable we even saw some dolphins along the way. The walk to the south part of the island is a bit of a walk and the sand is EXTREMELY hot especially the black sand. They should think about extending the walking deck a little bit further. The other side of the island where the ferry drops you off has nice sand but there are no chairs and umbrellas offered. On that side you can also see stingrays and fish. The fort was neat to see and the tour guide was informative.

Absolutely loved it. Took our daughter for her 10th birthday. Not to mention her first trip to the gulf. The staff were so nice and would come around and point out interesting things along the ferry ride. We saw everything you could have wanted too. So many dolphins, brown rays/sting rays, blue crabs, fish, pelicans, hermit crab, sea turtle, a bloom of jelly fish and a Shark!!! My daughter said it was the best birthday ever. They even announced her birthday over the intercom from the Captain and the crew. We did the family plan and it was so worth every penny. We are already planning a next trip. Thank you everyone at Ship Island!!

Wonderful experience to visit the beach beyond the barrier Islands. Fort Massachusetts provides a history lesson that is very interesting to young and old. Victor who was with the park gave us a lot of information I'm about on the way out and back. At the fort we had a Great tour and presentation by a wonderful young woman and when I remember I will put it in this post! I recommend this trip. You definitely need to bring some protection and a few bottles of water for each person. There is a drinking fountain behind the little restaurant where you can refill your water bottles. The snack bar sells cheeseburgers hamburgers chili dogs chips soft drinks and beers with a few other things thrown in. A little store has just about anything that you could need on the island from some protection to swimsuits and towels. The chair rentals and umbrellas are a little pricey in my opinion so we skipped those. There was a woman named Vicky who said she was from Biloxi who was extremely rude to the tourists! She had come in on a private boat and seemed to be stopping people as they got on and off the boat just to say something nasty. She was making fun of an older woman who was wearing a snorkel vest and mask when I walk by. She seemed to have an agenda of just making the tourists feel as if they shouldn't be there.

We took the cruise out to Ship Island on a Monday morning. We took the 9 AM boat ride out. It was a full ride but did not feel overly crowded. There are 4 bathrooms on the boat which is nice especially when you are traveling with kids and asking them to hold it is not always an option. There is also a snack shop on board that is reasonably priced and it’s air conditioned in that section if you are too hot sitting outside. The boat ride takes about an hour and it’s so beautiful. We saw dolphins, crabs, a couple turtles, and schools of fish while we traveled to shore. Once we came to shore, it’s about a 1/3 mile trek to the beach - be advised that you must carry everything and no wagons are allowed. However - because we purchased the family pack online, our umbrella and chairs were included and that was very nice. The sand is HOT so make sure to wear your shoes all the time when walking around. There is a snack shop on the beach - we had cheeseburgers and a chicken wrap for lunch which weren’t too bad. The beach was clean and the water was clear. We saw tons of blue crab scuttling around the ocean floor. It wasn’t too crowded at all. On the way back to the boat, we walked around Fort a Massachusetts which was pretty cool. We took the 2:30 shuttle back to the mainland and purchased the family photo keepsake. I say it was definitely worth the money especially if you like quiet beaches.

So incredibly worth it. About an hour ferry ride (very smooth and saw some dolphins) and a bit of a walk across the island, but then it is spectacular. Lots of little crabs in the water but it’s clear enough to see them. Facilities and food were excellent. No trip to Gulfport, MS should be without it

The Ship Island Excursion was amazing! The boat ride takes about an hour to get to ship island from Gulfport. We bought our tickets online on the drive to Gulfport. When buying your ticket, you choose what time you would like to ride to the island (9am or noon) and then you choose what time you would like to come back (2:30pm or 5pm). After buying the tickets online, you can walk up to the boat and they will scan the code on your phone. From there, you can choose if you would to participate in a photo opportunity on the dock, and then you can walk up to the boat. There will be a person at the boat entrance to check your bag if you brought a cooler. As you step onto the boat, there is a space to store your bag/cooler for the trip. The boat is 2 levels. The first level has a cafe with coffee/juice/water to drink and lots of snacks and packaged baked goods. There is indoor and outdoor seating on the first floor. The stairs to the second floor are toward the back of the boat and are steep. The second floor is an open layout with coverage over a majority of the seating. I would recommend sitting on one of the sides or in the far back so you can watch the dolphins that follow the boat! When you arrive, you'll walk on a path that is raised above the ground/water. This path is very flat and would work easily with a wheelchair. The beach on the South side of the island does not have chair/float rentals. When you walk the path, Fort Massachusetts will be the first stop on your right. The fort tour is free and very neat! The fort is in good shape and there is a giant cannon! As you continue down the path, there is a snack shack and covered picnic tables before you arrive at the beach. There are restrooms on the island and on the boat. The beach sand has alot of black minerals so it gets very warm. The water is incredibly clear and there are many fish/crabs present. When you arrive at the beach, you can sit at any of the rental chairs and someone will come to assist you. The snack shack has floaties for rent and other beach essentials for sale. They also sell hot dogs/chicken wraps/other classic snacks. When you buy a fountain drink, you'll get a Ship Island cup with it and all refills are $1 with the cup. Overall, the excursion is worth every penny for how well maintained all facilities are and how easy the entire process is! I will definitely be going again!

The cruise takes about 45 to the island with beautiful views of wildlife. Once on the island,it is a little bit of a walk to get to the south end where the swim area is. Water was clear, and beaches well kept. Our kids had fun catching crab and playing in the waves. The ride back was even more amazing as the sun was coming down and dolphins playing. It's definitely worth it to purchase the family package and let them pack your ice chest with your selection of drinks.

We took a dolphin tour on a Friday evening, and it was absolutely fantastic. My kids are 3 and 8 years old, and I was worried that the youngest wouldn't be engaged enough for an hour and a half - but I was worried for nothing! The captain did a great job pointing out all of the dolphins, and we even got to see a couple up close when they were swimming alongside the front of the boat. The snack bar inside is very reasonably priced, which was a relief. A great value for an unforgettable experience. Will definitely be back, and would recommend to every family that visits the Gulf Coast!

The boat is nice restrooms on board The staff did excellent very informative The price is great/such a good experience Food on board boat and on the island A lot less people on Ship island The fort is a nice place to tour the gentleman was very informative also Don't miss this trip

It was a great adventure!! We loved the ride to the island! The beach and area was so pretty! the staff was amazing ..We will be back

Fantastic trip! Saw dolphins within 15 minutes of leaving harbor and continued to do so throughout the entire trip! Several even swam alongside the boat. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Will definitely do again!!

My husband, our 3 small children (ages 7, 5, and 2) and myself took a dolphin watching cruise this evening. It was fantastic! The crew told us they guarantee people will see dolphins and they weren't lying. We were maybe 20 minutes into the boat ride and they were already spotting dolphins to point out to all of us. Then, they spotted a shrimp boat a little ways out from us and got us positioned over by it, because as the shrimp boat would throw their "trash fish" overboard, the dolphins and seagulls would hang around. We saw easily 50+ dolphins. They did say meeting up with a shrimp boat like that isn't the norm, but it certainly worked in our favor and our kids were so excited to get to see that many dolphins! We would definitely cruise with them again in the future!

It was the most amazing tour and was big fun! Our guide, Trey, was amazing and introduced us to several alligators. We will definitely return!

The staff/owners are so kind helpful and friendly. Great trip get the chairs and umbrella ! Bring a floaty was a great day

Went on the sunset cruise on 2025 memorial day weekend!! It was great..glad my wife and I could get on board. Booking was easy. They have an onboard bar and snacks to purchase. The upper deck had the DJ for dancing, etc.

This is our 2nd time taking this cruise and I know it won't be our last. The ferry ride to the island is the best.

The best part of this excursion was the beautiful weather - full sun in the mid 70's with a light cool breeze. Uneventful 1 hour cruise each way with open air upper level seating and A/C in the closed area on the main level that was too cold to sit in! Disappointed that the Fort was closed due to staffing shortages. There were 2 large dead turtles on the beach, that was disconcerting, and should have been removed. We brought our own beach chairs and umbrella, but can be rented for $30. Friendly, knowledgeable crew, but I felt I could have had a similar experience at the beach in Gulfport and not paid $89 RT for 2 after senior and military discounts.

Went on the sunset cruise. Music and service was 10/10! They do have food and drinks on board too.

The dolphin watching was fabulous. Enjoyed the day. The crew was terrific. Thank you.

What an incredible experience going to Ship Island! The customer service and top notch crew at Ship Island Excursions aim to please. The ferry ride round trip experience is amazing on its own. When you get to the island that's when the trip goes into over drive. Beautiful beach and very peaceful. Definitely recommend that everyone needs to book a trip today!

The boat ride is very pleasant. It takes about an hour each way. The staff members are fantastic!! Yes, there is a pretty long walk to the Gulf side of the beach. Yes, sand and the boardwalk are hot during the summer so wear shoes. Yes, the ocean has critters. We have done this activity twice and loved it immensely. There is food and AC on the boat. There is food and shelter at the beach. There are showers to rinse off the sand. There is an option to rent chairs and umbrellas. It has everything. Everyone is super accommodating and very friendly. We have also met a lot of nice people on the boat ride. I can't recommend it enough.

We had an amazing time! The boats' schedule was on time to and fro! All crew members were happy and were greeting passengers! The boat was nice, clean, and kept in great shape. The ride was a nice, smooth ride. We were able to see dolphins on the way to the island as well as back from the island. Highly recommend for all ages!

Everyone was very friendly and glad to have us there on the boat. I saw dolphins surfing in the wake of the boat They left right on time and the return trip was just as timely. It was very hot but the Ocean breeze made it quite comfortable.

even though a storm shortened our exploration and beach time, there was beer, snacks and a pavilion- still had a great time. The staff and the ride out and back were great!

Had a nice sunset cruise/moonlight cruise BUT we missed the sunset. Guess because it's October and the sun sets earlier but by the time we got moving it was pitch black. They offer a DJ, drinks and light snacks which is cool. Our boat was filled up with party people and they had a great time. The DJ sound was off. Some songs were loud and others so low you could barely make out the words. I wish I was able to see something. That's not reflected in their score though. It was a great experience and I would probably do a daytime trip next time.

I go on this excursion at least few times a year . The staff/crew is always welcoming, informative, and friendly. Kane on the beach is really great, and somehow remembers everyone's name- - he should run for mayor :)

we really enjoyed this excursion. Very laid back and a great island. I do think the chairs and umbrellas were too congested. Really need to clean up debris on the island prior to gusets arrival. Might want to have shuttle service across the island or have carts to haul stuff in available. It was a long walk hauling stuff. The boat and staff were excellent

Nice boat, nice staff. Ship Island is worth the visit. You can see an Island in its natural setting. The cheeseburgers in the snack shop were surprisingly good. The only negative was it's a long walk to the other side of the island and no shuttles for older folks.

We really enjoyed our time. It was the best time we had. My son had a fun time. This is was our 2nd time we got to go on the dolphin tour.

This was a great destination to Ship Island with lots of sea life including crabs, dolphins, red fish, sheepshead etc. Traveling in July does provide some challenges since it is quite a distance from the drop off to the south side of the island. They should provide a disclosure of walking distance required and heat of the intense black sand prior to booking perhaps. It was a good time tho.

The first time that I went to Ship Island was a few weeks before Hurricane Camille hit as a child. Last week I returned for about my 4th or 5th trip and not a lot has changed since then. The island and fort are still there and Ship Island Excursions has taken me there every time (except for one visit on a private boat). All of those visits were pleasurable. This company does a very good job of transporting patrons to the island for the day. Their boats offer plenty of room onboard for the 55 minute trip each way. They offer outside seating and air conditioned inside seating with a snack bar that sells food and drink at reasonable prices. The crew is friendly and on my trip last week I talked to Captain Doug frequently as he was very personable. Unless you have a personal boat, they are the only way to get there. Here is some info and tips: When you reach the island the fort is right there but you have about a 400 yard walk to the gulf side beach. That walk is all on an elevated wooden walkway. Remember this if you are going to carry a lot of stuff or pull a small cooler on wheels. Travel as light as you can and read their website for what's allowed and what isn't. The island is about 12 miles offshore and while on the island you can barely see Gulfport and Biloxi but only by their tallest structures. You will be out of cellphone range but they have a short range booster at the snack shack. I think it reaches to the part of the beach where the recliners and umbrellas are and the fort so you will have connectivity in that area. Your best bang for the buck is to catch the morning departure (9 am) and if it's during the busy season then you will have two options on when to come back (2:30 or 5 pm). Don't bring your chairs or umbrellas and instead rent theirs. Bring a towel or beach blanket to lay on if you want. They serve food there (burgers, hot dogs, chicken wraps) and snacks and drinks. Bring your own food to save money. Drinks can be heavy to carry so consider buying theirs. They also sell hats, t shirts, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. Bring your own. At least visit the fort for a walkthrough (15 minutes) but better yet attend one of the two NPS ranger led tours (one when you arrive and another in the early afternoon) which are interesting and educational. That little fort has seen a lot of history. They have outdoor showers to rinse off with and two covered pavilions if you need to get out of the sun or if it rains. The snack shop is air conditioned but is small with no seating inside. Your best protection from the weather if it gets bad is inside the fort. Ship Island is really a cool and different way to go to the beach. Being so far out from the mainland is a different experience which makes it a fun day time activity. Remember you have to be on that last boat that leaves. If not po po comes looking for you.

Departs on time, crew is friendly, knowledgeable and professional. The ride is beautiful out of Gulfport Harbor and dolphins sightings are icing on the cake!

We saw DOLPHINS!!! This 1&1/2 hr cruise did not disappoint! It was a beautiful day full of sunshine and the boat had a few other people but not too crowded -which was awesome! As promised...there were dolphins!!! They were jumping out of the waves and playing and it was fun running from side to side of the boat and back to front watching them -as if we were in a game with them! A hide & seek of sorts!!! The captain gave us great information and the deck hands & snack counter lady were great! I wish I had brought cash because they do work on tips and they have a little tip bucket as you disembark- next time though! Great selection of snacks and drinks-even beer- & you get a souvenir cup w/ purchase of a fountain drink-SO COOL!! importantly, there were clean bathrooms- overall I look forwarding to going again soon!!! Definitely a must when you're at the beach or headed to Gulfport for a day!

it was very fun, workers were nice and playful, and good for kids definitely. put four stars because it was crowded but it might've just been the day we went. overall though, i recommend if you're trying to have a nice day at the beach especially if you're just visiting

Had such a great time. Chairs and umbrellas ready and waiting for us. Crew was so pleasant and we loved every moment.

I had an amazing time. Myself and my best friend. The crew was very knowledgeable and kept us informed. true beachside crew was amazing as well!!! We also went into the snack bar, where we found everything that we forgot to pick up! I will definitely be back with my grandchildren!!

This was an awesome High School Senior Outing. Ship Island Excursions was so easy to work with from the time we booked until our trip was completed. The ferry ride was wonderful. We saw dolphins and enjoyed snacks from the snack bar! The snack shack on the island had our pre-ordered meal and drinks ready on time and was so accommodating! Our students swam and played all afternoon and our chaperones enjoyed watching them from the comfortable chairs and large umbrellas. We loved it and will definitely come again!!! Thank you! High School Senior Sponsor

Went to Biloxi & Gulfport for my birthday weekend. Ship Island Excursions was so fun! My aunt & I had a great time.

Had the absolute best time. The crew members were more than accommodating and even gave my daughter a birthday shout out. She was so surprised. Ive been coming since I was a child so Its nice to share this with my kids & know it will be just as wonderful a memory for them as it is for me.

Took a 4 and 2 year old and they had a great time. They loved the boat ride and we did the morning slot. We did bring an umbrella stroller because the walk from the boat to the beach is long. Also the sand does get hot in the afternoon so make sure to bring water shoes.

great time riding ship out to island, got to see dolphins on the trip out to Island and back into port. All of exceptionally nice and helpful.. The is gorgeous. 5 stars!

The whole experience was amazing. Best part of or trip to NOLA. Hour drive away, but the boat, beach, food, and staff were all simply amazing. Diamond in a rough!

Everyone of the staff on the boat and the island is very respectful and willing to help and any way.

Loved riding and watching for dolphins. Very friendly and clean. My daughter loved the ride too and that's something for a 12 yr old.

Yelp! We are a party of 5 girlfriends. We loved the Dolphin watching ship excursion. The crew was Amazing. Especially the sweet lady working concessions. POPCORN was so fun and good. This is one of the many things to do in Gulfport! Y'all already know, I'll be back.

i really loved the boat ride experience on my birthday but maybe next time better music...... everybody was very nice and the vibe was everything it was very nice

It was really a fun time and it is a little pricey but it was fun. We didn't get a whole day due to weather but it was fun. Make sure you bring money and sunscreen. I loved exploring the fort.

We took the night tour of Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island Excursions. It was an enjoyable experience. The staff and crew were gracious and helpful. The only concern we had was the walking tour through the Fort felt awkward and dangerous because the tiny walk guiding candles did not illuminate the ground at all. The walk was on grass and uneven concrete areas. We could not see what terrain we were walking on, especially the twisting flights of stairways, with no handrails no less. The Park Service is to blame for this unsafe experience, not the Ship Island Excursions. Without proper footway lighting, I certainly cannot recommend this annual event.

We had an amazing time Saturday. A part of me wished we would have stayed until 5pm but we were exhausted!!!

We had an amazing time. The ship ride was very laid back and the crew was friendly and fun. The island was beautiful. A very enjoyable day indeed.

I had heard that Ship Island was worth checking out, but I must say it surpassed my expectations. We were there at 9am am- 5pm with our two kids. Packed lightly per advice and was grateful we did, lots of walking. Plus, they had food and drink there. We swam, fished, relaxed, and explored. It was cool to look as far as you could see and not see another human! My only suggestion for improvement would be to sell live bait there as the fish seemed to prefer live bait. It's amazing fishing.... with the right bait! The fort is really neat, and I recommend doing the guided tour (free) for the info. It's really just a history lesson and FAQ, and then you can explore on your own. The company was super accommodating, on time, friendly and professional. Take sunscreen seriously and enjoy your time. It's a special place.

We were in town for a birthday celebration. We are three ladies in our 50's with our mother. Our mother has some mobility difficulties. The website is easy to use. It does not adequately advertise the distance between the ferry dock and the beach for swimming with chairs and umbrellas. The staff was amazing with making sure our mother was safe and had an enjoyable time. Keith and Kane on the beach ensured she would be able to enjoy the beach by providing a wheelchair. They also made her comfortable and at ease. The ferry staff helped our mother to board and disembark with kindness and smiles. This allowed us to enjoy the experience. I would recommend this experience to all.

An excellent day! We took a day trip to Ship Island for my daughter's 10th birthday and it was perfect. From coordinating tickets for a group of kids and adults to the availability of chairs and umbrellas to being able to have an ice chest of beverages waiting on the island - the responsiveness and flexibility was amazing. The staff were so kind to us as well. The ferry captain announced our birthday on the boat and gave our daughter an adorable dolphin souvenir. We couldn't have been happier and you made our daughter's day. We will never forget the special time we had. Thank you!

Outstanding day! Incredible day on the beach! The price was right, beach chairs and umbrella were on point! Found lots of awesome shells. Worth the ferry ride!

Came for the Coast Young Professionals sunset cruise, which was a great evening on the water! Excursions leave out of the Gulfport marina, which was ample signs leading you to the correct dock and plenty of parking. The ship has tons of seating, a cash bar, and bathrooms. We enjoyed a cruise around the bay, but they also do excursions to Ship Island if you want to experience a beach getaway!

Of everything we had planned for our gulf coast roadtrip, this was one of the things I was most excited about, but somehow it didn't quite measure up to my expectations. I mean, don't get me wrong. It was a FULL day at the beach and we all had a blast, but in the end I'm just not convinced it's worth the cost and hassle to get out there. I didn't find the water or sand to be significantly better than the shore in Gulfport. It certainly wasn't anywhere even close to the beauty of the Florida beach we visited later on in the trip, and swimming there was free! We did find some great shells and enjoyed the experience of swimming off an island. Even on a day like Memorial Day, the fact that you can only access the island by boat keeps it from getting too crowded. The sand was nice, the water was nice. It just wasn't worth the $260 we paid for our family to get there.