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       Relaxation, recreation and history - these are the gifts offered to you on Ship Island. Here in the north central Gulf of Mexico, about 11 miles off the Mississippi Coast, are some of the last undeveloped barrier islands in America. Part of Gulf Islands National Seashore and protected by the U.S. Park Service, these exquisite sand islands offer visitors the first high quality beaches for swimming and shelling east of New Orleans.

Travel to a special place where the main attractions are outstanding beaches, beautiful water and clean gulf air. Locals and visitors consistently rate the 22-mile round trip to Ship Island as the coast’s premier waterborne experience. Visit historic Fort Massachusetts (circa 1868) on your own, or on a Park Ranger guided tour offered after the passenger ferries arrive at the island.


           Fort Massachusetts and boat dock                M/V Gulf Islander arrives at Ship Island

Shrimp boats, tugs with barges traveling along the intracoastal waterway, and ocean-going freighters navigating the Gulfport Ship Channel will make up some of the many sights you'll see as you venture across the shallow Mississippi Sound and out to the clear, green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Watch for dolphins! Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphins are frequently seen playing in the wake of our boats, or feeding on mullet and menhaden near the island beaches.

The cruise takes about an hour one-way. Passengers have the option of our most popular half day island visit (4.5 hours), or the all day "sun-seeker" visit (7 hours).  For a shorter excursion option, passengers can depart on our 12 noon boat. Arrive on the island for the 1:15pm fort tour, and depart the island on our 2:30pm boat, arriving back in Gulfport at 3:30pm. See boat schedule for seasonal departure and arrival times.

The finest beaches on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are located on Ship Island. Tranquil stretches of barrier island shore invite you to picnic, explore, and "decompress". Pristine gulf waters surrounding Ship Island attract swimmers and body surfers. The National Park Service provides a designated swim area with life guards in summer. Emergency assistance is available 24 hrs. on the
island.  Beach chair and umbrella rentals are provided. An easy one-third mile stroll along a boardwalk is required to reach the more popular Gulf of Mexico swim beach on the south side of the island.

Don't expect to find condos or a shopping mall on the island. Except for the old fort, boardwalk, restrooms with showers, and a covered pick-nic area near a small snackbar, you'll find very little developement. Food service is also available on the boats. So dress comfortably and be prepared for the sun, especially from mid-June thru August. Hats, eyewear and sunscreen are important. Small backpacks and coolers are allowed on the ferries. But be advised, glass containers are prohibited on the island. Since the National Park Service does not supply waste receptacles, visitors must pack out whatever they carry on the island.

   Gulf surf on the south side of island                  Sound side of the island looking east



                                          Captain Pete and Sons
                                                     Captain Peter (center)
                                      (left to right) Louis, Matt, Ken and Steven

The ferry service was established in 1926 by Croatian immigrant and Biloxi fisherman Captain Pete Skrmetta. The Skrmetta maritime tradition continues in the form of a U.S. Coast Guard inspected boat company, under contract with the National Park Service. Today, Captain Pete's son Peter and grandchildren operate the boats, snack bar, and beach services. The Skrmetta family takes great pride in providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for their customers. The trip, including snack bar food prices, is a true family vacation bargin. Not only are ticket prices reasonable, passengers are still allowed to bring small coolers and beach items aboard the boats. The crew only ask that you minimize what you carry since stowage space is very limited. Dobra Voyage!

   "Captain Pete and Son" is a one hour video featuring stories about the first Capt Pete and a family involved in ferrying passsengers to the barrier islands since 1926. View rare photos of Ship Island and the now sunken Isle of Cparice. Learn how Captain Pete's son Peter, helped save Fort Massachusettes along with other interesting accounts of Coast family's life on a barrier island throughout the years. Video includes a brief history of Ship Island beginning in 1699 with the arrival of the French explorers, War of 1812, and Civil War.

                                 Purchase the Video "Capt Pete and Son"
                                       ($16.84 includes tax & shipping)



                                    Click HERE to view sample of video

Captain Pete Skrmetta Capt Peter (Son)
Estblished the Ferry Service in 1926

Our larger vessels offer passengers climate controlled seats in the lower cabin.

Directions to Ship Island Excursions Ticket Office and Boat Dock

From I-10: Take exit 34A, Hwy. 49 south to Hwy. 90, Beach Blvd. Cross
Hwy 90 at the traffic light into the Yacht Harbor. Take your first left . Drive one block.
The ferry boats dock at the waters edge on your right. We're next to the U.S. Coast Guard
facility (large building with red roof) on the south end of 23rd Ave.
From Hwy. 90, Beach Blvd., driving east or west, we're in the Yacht Harbor
next to the U.S. Coast Guard facility (large building with red roof) near the intersection
of Hwy. 49, at the south end of 23rd Ave. at the water's edge.
Boat Dock Latitude and Longitude:
Lat.: N 30' 21' 50"
Long.: W 89' 5' 24"

Katrina Recovery Update

Artist Rendering of new Ship Island Ferry Boat Terminal
Completion date set for late 2010

Questions concerning directions? Call (228) 864-1014 between 8am and 12 noon.

Printable Brochure

Click HERE for Harbor Map

Click Picture for a Ship Island Hotel Package Deal

Local Attractions

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Pan Isles, Inc.
P.O. Box 1467
Gulfport, MS 39502
1-866-466-7386
(228) 864-1014