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Florida tends to steal the spotlight when it comes to top-notch beach vacations, but it’s time to put the spotlight back on and put their southern neighbors center stage.
If there’s any place in the South known for its white-sand beaches, other than Florida, it’s Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Shores, but that’s no secret.
What’s held close to the vest is Mississippi’s beautiful barrier island off the coast of Biloxi, the state’s most notable coastal resort.
Oddly enough, and rather ironically given the horrific weather raging nearby, Mississippi and Alabama have Hurricane Camille to thank in the 1960s for splitting up a pair of islands, dividing them between the two states.
What’s left on the Mississippi side is Ship islandA surprising Golf paradise with bright white sand and far less crowds than Florida’s busy beaches.
Make your base in Biloxi
Mississippi doesn’t understand how much of a fun beach destination it can be.
The Gulf Coast borders between Louisiana and Alabama range from well-known resorts (and casinos), white sandy beaches, and some of the best seafood you can imagine.
You could even argue that the vibrant city of Biloxi is one of the best alternatives to get away from Las Vegas, and neighboring Gulfport is becoming more popular by the day.
Choosing between the two is something you’ll probably want to do since Ship Island has no hotels, but hey, that’s all part of the appeal!
Biloxi offers the best selection of accommodations, but Gulfport is the best place to head to Ship Island, about 18 miles offshore.
You have beautiful beaches and some of the best known casinos and hotels to choose from, such as:
- Margaritaville
- Hard rock
- Harras
- Golden Nugget
Best of all, they are all typically very affordable and offer incredible value compared to the same properties in other cities.
As an example, the Golden Nugget and Hard Rock cost just $130 per night for last-minute stays in October.
Affordable ferry to Mississippi’s secret slice of paradise
You may feel like you’re shuffling along the Mississippi coastlines, but the good news is that it’s all beautiful, even the hidden gems around Gulfport and Biloxi.
That said, Ship Island is second to none and that’s why the ferry service is so popular among locals and tourists in the know.
As I mentioned, Ship Island does not offer hotels or vacation rentals, so this will definitely be a day trip.
In fact, the only inhabitants have fins, wings or four legs, unless Bigfoot has been hiding here all along.
Although highly unlikely, you may encounter dolphins along the way, as reported by recent island visitors.
Ferries depart from Gulfport Excursions on ship island. Prices range from $38 – $44 and run through the end of October.
The journey takes about an hour to reach the pristine shores of Ship Island, where you’ll forget all about Florida’s cramped beaches in favor of the wide open spaces of this Mississippi gem.
You’ll have stretches of beautiful beaches at your fingertips, scenic hiking and biking trails, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot plenty of wildlife, including sea turtles, a variety of birds, and those same dolphins you may have seen before. your journey here.
Tip: Ship Island is designated Swimming beach is located on the south side of the island (make sure you bring sunscreen!)
The fascinating history of Ship Islandic site
The big surprise is not only that the island exists, but also that the historical treasure awaits you.
You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate Fort Massachusetts, an 1850s masonry fort that played an important role in the Civil War.
As it stands today, it makes for great photo opportunities to say the least, but those who want to take a deeper dive into its deeply rooted past can take a guided or self-guided tour offered by the National Park Service (NPS). ).
Visitors can also rent beach chairs, reserve picnics, and pick up snacks and drinks at the convenient NPS store.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
