Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is home to six different barrier islands: Cat Island, Deer Island, Horn Island, Round Island, Petit Bois Island, and Ship Island. Each one has its own unique landscape and beautiful scenery to enjoy, not to mention some really fantastic fishing, plus white sandy beaches to relax on. Ship Island in Mississippi is one of the most popular barrier islands and it’s perfect for a day trip. The whole family will love the aquatic adventure to this historic island. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Ship Island is located about 12 miles offshore, so you'll need a boat to get there.
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Ship Island Excursions offers a ferry service that takes about an hour each way, and you may even spot a pod of dolphins on your way!
Lynn Newman/Google
You're also welcome to use your own boat to get to the island.
Ship Island is the home of Fort Massachusetts, which you can tour while you’re there.
Nicole Cronauer/Google
Famous French explorer Pierre LeMoyne d’Iberville charted the island in 1699 and used it as a home base while exploring the Mississippi River, and it was even used as an immigration point when French colonies arrived in the New World.

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The United States became the new owner of the island after the Louisiana Purchase in 1810, and construction of the fort began in 1859.
Nicole Cronauer/Google
During the Civil War, a cannon exchange between Confederates and the USS Massachusetts occurred, and the Confederates abandoned the island. The USS Massachusetts took control of the island, using it as a prison for Confederate prisoners of war, as well as a base for Union troops.
The fort was renamed in 1862 after the warship.
Coastal Mississippi/Google
Surprisingly, construction on the fort stopped in 1866 and it was never finished. Take a little stroll through time and wander around the fort, it’s in considerably good shape considering how many hurricanes she’s had to endure over the decades.
The other main attraction of the island is the white sandy beaches.
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Pull up a patch of sand and listen to the sweet soundtrack of the waves crashing onto the shore.
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent, and there's also a small concession stand on the island as well.
Will Russell/Google
Ship Island has about seven miles of pristine beaches to enjoy, and the treeless island offers very little shade, so be sure you wear sunscreen and bring a hat with you. If you've ever experienced a Ship Island sunburn before, you know the pain all too well! It's a mistake you only make once.

Visit Ship Island Excursion’s website to learn about the ferry and snag your tickets today.

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