Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
  • Most Popular!

FERRY SERVICE TO SHIP ISLAND

SHIP ISLAND FERRY SERVICE OFFERED MARCH - OCTOBER

Quick Details

  Map Marker Location: Our boat dock is located in the Harbor at Jones Park, Gulfport, MS (Intersection of Hwy. 49 and Hwy. 90) We are located next to the Lighthouse. Parking is Free!

  • Click HERE to view in Google Maps

Checkmark Round-Trip Ferry Route:

  • Gulfport Harbor to Ship Island, Ft Massachusetts (10.7 miles) Approx. 1 Hour Cruise
  • NOTICE: Fort Massachusetts will be intermittently closed due to flooding in the Fort. Interpretative talks will be conducted at the Fort entrance 15 minutes after the boat arrives.

Calendar Ferry Operation Seasons:

  • Spring: March 16th – May 17th
  • Summer: May 18th – August 18th
  • Fall: August 21st – October 27th

Clock Ferry Departure Times: 

  • Spring: Wednesday – Friday / Depart Gulfport 9am – Depart Ship Island 2:30pm / Saturday & Sunday Depart Gulfport 9am and 12pm – Depart Ship Island 2:30pm or 5pm
  • Summer: (7) Days a Week Depart Gulfport 9am and 12pm – Depart Ship Island 2:30pm or 5pm
  • Fall: Wednesday – Friday / Depart Gulfport 9am – Depart Ship Island 2:30pm / Saturday & Sunday Depart Gulfport 9am and 12pm – Depart Ship Island 2:30pm or 5pm

Let us Pack your Ice Chest:

  • We support the National Park Service program to reduce “single use plastics” from Ship Island.
    Let us do the packing for your day at Ship Island and save your time to bring your own ice chest. All items will be environmentally friendly to Ship Island. Look for this option at Checkout.

Payments & Refunds:

  • We accept all Major Credit Cards in the Ticketing System. We do not accept AX on the boats & Island.
  • Refunds should be submitted in writing to shipislandonline@gmail.com 48 hours in advance.

Local Thursday Half Off Promotion: Starting August 22nd through October 24th, every Thursday LOCAL’S LIVING in the (6) Lower Counties – For each ADULT TICKET purchased you will receive 50% off the next ADULT TICKET. (Must show ID at Ship Island Dock – Not available online). Only available for the 9am Departure on Thursdays. Not offered with the Family Package. Questions: Email us at shipislandonline@gmail.com

diagram

Gulfport → Ship Island Round Trip

Adult

$ 44

Child (3-12)

$ 38

Senior (65+)

$ 42

Military (with ID)

$ 42

Infant (2 & under)

Free

Weekday Family Package - 1 Umbrella Set is added on at checkout for $30!

Adult

$ 39

Children (ages 3-12)

$ 33

Turn Around Cruise to Ship Island

Adults (Ages 11+)

$ 28

Children (Ages 3-10)

$ 19

An affordable, family-friendly adventure from the Gulfport Yacht Harbor!

Mississippi’s finest beaches are located on Ship Island. The island is one of four barrier islands approximately 11 miles south of Gulfport. The islands are accessible by boat only. Ship Island Excursions offers the only authorized public ferry service. The boats are located in the Gulfport Yacht Harbor at the intersection of Hwy. 90 and Hwy. 49. In addition to experiencing interesting sights along a route that crosses the Mississippi Sound, you are almost sure to spot Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins during the approximate 1-hour boat ride to the island.

Ship Island offers visitors history, relaxation, and the opportunity to explore miles of quiet, high quality, natural sand beaches for hiking and surf bathing. The unspoiled island is surrounded by deep, emerald green waters not found on the mainland beaches. If you are a beach person you will love Ship island. This protected national seashore island affords visitors the best beaches for swimming, shelling and birding found anywhere along the Northern Gulf Coast. In addition, Civil War era Fort Massachusetts (circa 1858) is part of an extensive history you’ll discover during your visit to Ship Island.

The island offers very little commercial development. However, a national park ranger station and visitor amenities are available near the ferry landing and Fort Massachusetts. A snack bar and covered picnic pavilion is located on the South side of the island. The National Park Service provides a boardwalk that begins in front of the fort and extends one third of a mile across the island to the popular south side. Lifeguards are generally available on the south beach in summer. The National Park Service provides restrooms, freshwater showers, drinking water and covered picnic areas. A snack bar is located at the end of the boardwalk on the Gulf Beach. Fort tours are also provided during the ferry operating season.