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 loads simpler than you suppose.

All you need to do is enterprise westward to a neighboring southern state to find pristine waters and gleaming white sand.

At first look, Gulf Shores, Alabama might come to thoughts, however that is not the appropriate spot both. We all know the whole thing of Flor-Bama attracts hordes of tourists of all ages throughout spring break too.

Despite a lot of the Mississippi Coast’s unpleasant water, this state has develop into one of many South’s largest surprises for seashore holidays, even turning into a high 5 most visited state.

That stated, there is a secret oasis past Gulfport and Biloxi that is closed off to guests for a piece of the 12 months, however set to reopen for tourism this spring.

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

Level Up Your Beach Game

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

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

That stated, 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.

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

That’s 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 hold secret, ranges up your seashore 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.

Definitely scope out Swim Beach for apparent causes…

You might not see starfish, however you may remodel right into a human starfish with a lot house to sprawl out — one thing that may’t be stated for Biloxi, Gulf Shores, and far of Florida, particularly throughout summer time.

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. However, a majority of Ship Island patrons go for the ferry in the course of the sunniest months of the 12 months.

This service holds rave opinions throughout the board. There are no inns on the island, so this may positively be a day journey.

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

The most up-to-date reviewer claimed, “We went in august, THE WATER WAS CLEAR LIKE THE CARIBBEAN, we saw so many crabs stingrays, ett. The ship island excursion are all SO friendly and helpful. The boat has a very nice air conditioned cabin”.

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

Keep in thoughts, the ferry departs from Gulfport Harbor and does not function on Mondays and Tuesdays till the summer time season.

There are formally 3 seasons of service. As such, schedule occasions might change:

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

No Hotels, But Brimming With History

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

Fort Massachusetts helps guests take the main focus off what the island lacks — you already know, inns, shade, and seashore bars.

This Civil War 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 War.

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