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The ferries are a great way to see parts of the seashore that are not often seen by visitors,” said Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent, Darrell Echols.Ībout Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. “The ferries provide a unique opportunity for visitors to experience America’s largest national seashore and its cultural and natural resources, and recreational activities.

#Gulf islands national seashore mississippi free#

This year’s ferry rates are $30 for adults, $24 for seniors, military, college students, and persons with disabilities, $20 for youths aged 3-15, and free for children 2 and under. Patrons can purchase ferry tickets online at or in person at the downtown Pensacola location. The ferry service to Gulf Islands National Seashore, which began on March 4, 2023, will offer service to Fort Pickens, Pensacola, and Pensacola Beach on Fridays and Saturdays, with a special history cruise from Pensacola to Fort Pickens on Sundays only.Ī tram will be available to transport visitors from Fort Pickens to the beach at Battery Langdon and the Fort Pickens Campground on Saturday only. The National Park Service will expand Pensacola Bay City Ferry service to the Fort Pickens Area to include Fridays beginning May 26, 2023. Islands are shown as they are positioned in the Gulf from west to east.GULF BREEZE, Fla. Most islands are no more than a quarter mile or so across. In all cases, the best beaches are on the Gulf side, but most likely you’ll want to anchor your boat on the bay side where the seas are much calmer. The tops of the photos point back towards the mainland the bottom is the Gulf of Mexico. The following satellite views of the islands are provided so that you can get an idea of which ones have the best beaches. The rest is still private land, so mind landowner privacy.

Only the western half and southern tip of Cat Island are owned by the National Park Service.

No generators or motorized equipment is allowed on the islands.

When on this island you must stay on the trails when walking around, other than when on the beach. The only designated trails are on Horn Island.You cannot run your boat up on the beach.

At all islands you must anchor offshore and either wade, swim, or use a dinghy to reach the island.

The end of the pier is used by the ferry.

When using the pier at the west end of Ship Island, private boats must dock on the beach side of the boat hoist.

The pier at Horn Island is closed to the public.

No pets are allowed on Horn or Petit Bois islands.

Toilet paper must be packed out as garbage.

Human waste must be buried at least six inches deep in the sand and away from trails and fresh water sources.

There are no garbage cans on the islands.

During bird nesting season, some areas of the islands will be closed.

Other than common sense, which not everyone has, there are a few rules about day trips to the islands.

I’ve never felt sand like that.ĭunes on Ship Island are typical of the other island dunes at Gulf Islands National Seashore I was fixated with taking handfuls of sand and rubbing it between my palms, for it was like butter. I only visited Ship Island, but I can tell you it had the softest sand I have ever felt, and I can only assume the other islands are similar.

The interiors are mainly tall grass and dunes. I can’t imagine anyone visiting the islands for any other reason than going to the beach (or camping on the beach), for besides the west end of Ship Island-which has a military fort on it-all are without attractions or amenities. Backcountry camping is currently allowed on all islands except for Ship Island and Cat Island. Only Ship Island has a public ferry service visits to all other islands require that you have your own boat.

#Gulf islands national seashore mississippi plus#

There are five islands within the Mississippi unit of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and all are open to the public: Ship Island, Horn Island, West Petit Bois Island (formerly known as Sand Island), and Petit Bois Island, plus the western half and the southern tip of Cat Island, which was added to the National Seashore in 2002. Ship Island Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore