Outdoor & Recreation
Ship Island
1040 23rd Ave, Gulfport
West Ship Island is the one Biloxi-area beach you can't drive to — a barrier island ten miles offshore, reachable only by ferry, with the brick walls of Civil War-era Fort Massachusetts still standing at one end. The Skrmetta family has run that ferry since 1926, and 2026 marks their hundredth year on the water.
Getting There
The ferry leaves from Ship Island Excursions' dock at 1040 23rd Ave in Gulfport, inside the Small Craft Harbor at the intersection of Highways 90 and 49 — look for the lighthouse and the Coast Guard station with the red roof. Parking is free. Check in 30 minutes before departure; boats leave on schedule, not when everyone's aboard. A small cooler under 42 quarts is fine, but skip the glass, and whatever you bring needs to fit under your seat. Sunscreen and a hat matter more than anything else you pack.
What to Expect
Watch the water once the boat clears the harbor — Atlantic bottlenose dolphins turn up on most crossings, riding the wake close enough to see clearly, and the hour goes fast because of it. Step off and Fort Massachusetts is right there: a brick pentagon the Army finished in 1866 and manned on and off until 1903, with free ranger tours most trips and a parapet you can walk on your own after. Past the fort, the beach stretches more than a mile in either direction, quiet and clear for this part of the Gulf, with none of the crowds or high-rises back on the mainland. Shade is limited to the pavilions near the dock, so plan around that instead of getting caught out.
Good to Know
Ferries run mid-March through early November — spring and fall sailings go Wednesday through Sunday, summer runs daily, with one or two departures depending on the season. Check msshipisland.com before you drive out, since the schedule shifts month to month. Round-trip fare is $48 for adults, $38 for kids 3-12, $44 for seniors and military, and free under age 3. Budget close to an hour each way on the water. Bring your own shade if you can — umbrella rentals run $30 — plus water, sunscreen, and shoes that can handle uneven brick at the fort.
Our Take
Ship Island earns the ferry ride. It's the one Biloxi-area beach that hasn't been paved or crowded, and Fort Massachusetts gives the trip a reason to go beyond just sand. Take the morning boat if the schedule allows it — more daylight on the island and a better shot at the fort tour. Skip it if the forecast looks iffy; there's no covered escape once you're out there, and the return boat runs on its own clock, not yours.
Details last verified August 2026. Always confirm current hours and prices directly with the attraction.