Ship Island

Visiting Ship Island was an unforgettable experience. It is truly a hidden gem on the Mississippi Gulf Coast! The moment I arrived, I was struck by the stunning natural beauty. The white sand beach is absolutely pristine, soft underfoot, and stretches out beside crystal-clear Gulf waters. It’s the perfect place to relax, swim, and take in the breathtaking coastal scenery. What makes Ship Island even more special is its unique blend of nature and history. Walking through Fort Massachusetts was like stepping back in time. It’s quite well-preserved and offers great insights into the island’s role in American history. The combination of educational value and serene surroundings made for a perfect day trip. The ferry ride over was smooth and scenic, and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The range whose name I believe is Tim was friendly and quite knowledgeable. Whether you're a history buff, beach lover, or just looking for a peaceful escape, Ship Island is a must-visit. I would say that it’s one of the most beautiful and enriching places I’ve visited in the South!

Nice beach. The Ft. Massachusetts tour was informative. The ranger did a very good job. It's good to hear about our history.

The best get away investment for me this summer. I've been waiting for 8 months now. Everything was just great. From the boat ride, the tour, the beach, and fishing. What a date. Telling It Like it IS👍 TerryB 🦼

no dogs or glass allowed. take the ferry from gulfport or ride a personal boat out there. drinks and chair service available.

It was an amazing experience, but there are some things you need to know before going. It is only accessible by ferry or boat. We took the ferry. Once we arrived in the island, it is about a half mile walk on a boardwalk across some swampy terrain to get to the beach. We were there on a hot day and there were tons of mosquitos and only a couple places with shade on the walk there. We were so impressed when we got to the beach, though! We enjoyed swimming with so much marine life. We saw dolphins, crabs, jellyfish, a variety of different fish. We brought cooler with drinks and snacks so we did not get snacks there, but there was a place to buy snacks. (The ferry also has an option to rent a cooler, but we packed our own.) The chairs and umbrellas were great! If you take the ferry, make sure you buy the family package so that the umbrella is included. There are outdoor showers to rinse off the sand near the beach and restrooms available near the beach. There is a fort on the island, but we did not have enough time to check it out. It was such a cool experience that we may have to go back another time. Definitely worth checking out.

Finally made it out here after 10 years! I know. Procrastination. The fort is cool, the ranger was super knowledgeable about the history and its fascinating. They had seats for his presentation and you're allowed to explore the fort itself! Climbing the spiral stairwell to the top was so cool. Stepped in ants instantly. Have no fear, the gift shop has benadryl, sunscreen, hats, swimsuits, food, and beer eyyyyy. Water is $3 a bottle. The chairs and umbrellas are 25. Cool shells to be found. We saw all the sea life! A school of baby sharks, sting ray, tons of blue crabs and ghost crabs, and these weird jellyfish! The ranger was telling us about them. They look like pink fluffy flowers and were huge. Some a foot across. Maybe bigger. So cool.

Clean beaches. Great ferry service. Soft, titanium-enriched sand. Lots of wildlife and marine life before you even get off the dock. Great for school science field trips. Friendly park volunteers. Definitely climb to the top levels of Fort Massachusetts. Convenient boardwalks for crossing the island. Pavilions for getting out of the sun and a decently stocked shop for lunch, snacks, or whatever you forgot to bring.

Beautiful secluded island with a short tour of Fort Massachusetts by a National Park Service ranger if you’d like to take it. Some food and drink available for purchase on the island as well as bathroom and showers. Beaches were nicely kept and perfect for walking on to look for shells. Also there are umbrellas and beach chairs for rent.