Operating Hours. Ship Island buildings, structures, and Fort Massachusetts are open March through October 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ship Island buildings, structures, and Fort Massachusetts are closed from Nov. 1 to Feb.
People Also Ask
Today, Ship Island serves as a tourist destination.
West Ship Island is only open to visitors from late March through the end of October. Lifeguards are usually on hand during the summer months. There are no overnight accommodations and camping is not allowed.
The Ship Island swim beach is located on the southside of the island and provides access for swimming, wading, fishing, beach-combing and more. There are restrooms, beach showers, water fountains, a pavilion, and concession stand located nearby. This beach is accessable by private boat.
Ship Island is a barrier island located about 12 miles off the coast of Mississippi. It is only accessible by boat and features a historic fort, swimming area, beautiful beaches, two pavilion areas, restrooms, and a concession store.
Umbrellas and chairs are available for rent on the island's south beach for $25 (two chairs and one umbrella). We suggest making your rental payment at the time of ticket purchase.
Ship Island has played an important role in the history and settlement of the Gulf Coast. The island was named in 1699 by French explorers who were impressed with the protected, deep-water anchorage it offered their ships. The island soon became an important port for French Louisiana.
The beach has powder-white sand and the water is clearer than in Biloxi Beach (which we also recommend visiting) and very shallow so swimming is safe for kids. Crabs, jellyfish, stingrays are swimming really close!
Seashell Treasure HuntSand dollars, moon snails, conch shells, pin shells, periwinkles, whelk and olive shells are just a few of the indigenous seashells found here. And, as long as there are no creatures living in them, there is no limit to how many of these one-of-a-kind souvenirs you can take home with you.
Great seafood, music, and casinos are what it's known for—but it's also got a beautiful beach as well. Because the Mississippi Rover empties into the Gulf of Mexico here, the water tends to be more silty and doesn't have the turquoise blue hue that you see further east in the beaches of Florida's Gulf coast.
How do Cruise Ship Toilets Work? There is water in the bowl of the toilet prior to it being used but there is no extra water that flushes down the waste, instead, the waste is sucked down. Suction toilets make perfect sense on cruise ships, as it reduces the amount of water needed considerably.