Ecotraveler....

MISSISSIPPI'S GULF ISLANDS

NATIONAL SEASHORE

Off the Mississippi coast in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, you'll find some of the most pristine islands in the U.S. Clear blue waters, gentle sloping beaches, coastal marshes, and human history present a perfect backdrop for a little-known Mississippi outdoors treasure.

The Gulf Islands National Seashore stretches 150 miles from Mississippi's West Ship Island to the end of Santa Rosa Island in Florida. The four islands off Mississippi that are part of the national seashore feature some of the last undeveloped barrier islands in the U.S. They're ideal for a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Barrier islands are special natural places, leading to special adventures. Hiking, boating, swimming, camping, and park programs can all reveal Mississippi's Mother Nature at her finest. The islands are constantly changing, but visitors can expect to see: scrub live oak; slush pine, palmetto; marsh grass; stunning white sand beaches; dunes; great blue herons; ospreys; brown pelicans; raccoons; American alligators; and much more.

The Mississippi District of the Gulf Islands National Seashore is actually based on the mainland in Ocean Springs, where Davis Bayou is a great place to start. Here, you'll find the William M. Colmer Visitor Center, a self-guided nature trail through the bayou, camping, and a fishing pier. It's sure to whet your appetite for an excursion to the islands, located about ten miles offshore and accessible only by boat.

Concession boat trips to West Ship Island are offered from March through October from Gulfport and from April through October from Biloxi. The Skrmetta family has run the ferry boats from both locations for more than sixty years, making them a Mississippi institution. The trip out to West Ship is just the beginning of a great adventure to West Ship Island.

West Ship Island was once connected with East Ship Island, until Hurricane Camille cut them in half in 1969. East Ship was left with trees and natural isolation, while West Ship was left with low-lying sand dunes, a beautiful beach, and an intriguing brick structure known as Fort Massachusetts.

The fort was constructed in the 1800s to prevent invasion of the Gulf Coast, but it was never involved in a battle. The National Park Service's guided tours are quite interesting. Along with lots of nature, West Ship Island also features one of the finest swimming beaches in the country.

The other islands, East Ship, Horn, and Petit Bois, feature stunning scenery, primitive camping, and complete quiet. Along with West Ship, they make Mississippi's Gulf Islands National Seashore one of the southeast's finest natural beach getaways.

Contact the Gulf Islands National Seashore at 3500 Park Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564; 601-875-9057.