- All Ages
- 1.5 Hours
Join us for a dolphin watching adventure, including a tour of the Gulfport Harbor.
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!
Round-Trip Ferry Route:
Ferry Operation Seasons:
Ferry Departure Times:
Let us Pack your Ice Chest:
Payments & Refunds:
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
Gulfport → Ship Island Round Trip
Online and Walk-Up Ticket Prices: (Online Tickets are charged a 6% fee upon checkout but your seats are reserved)
2 Chairs and Umbrella: $30 (Reserve on Island Only)
(Strongly Recommend you Buy Ferry Tickets Online as we do sell out on Weekends & Summer Weekdays)
Ship Island Family Package
(Offered Weekdays all Season Long)
SAVE $5 ON AN ONLINE ADULT AND CHILD TICKET WITH THIS OFFER:
Turn Around Cruise
View our Online Ticket Policy Here
CARRY-ON POLICY
Passengers are allowed small carry-on items. Boat storage space is limited. Coolers (42 quart or less) and backpacks are permitted, but subject to search. No glass containers. Wagons and pop-up tents prohibited. See Carry On Policy below:
A MESSAGE ABOUT ISLAND SHADE
Ship Island is approximately 7 miles long an offers beautiful, high quality natural beaches for hiking and swimming. The treeless island offers visitors minimal shade. Prepare for the sun, especially in summer. A Ship Island sunburn is legendary. The National Park Service provides a large covered picnic pavilion and restroom facility with drinking water on both the north and south side of the island. A snack bar, along with beach umbrella and chair rentals are available on the South Beach. Additional shade and protection from storms are also available inside Fort Massachusetts.
A MESSAGE ABOUT THE WEATHER
Our staff constantly monitors the weather. Cruises are sometimes suspended due to unsafe weather and sea conditions. Check the marine forecast for conditions the day of your trip.
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.
Day of the Week | Depart Gulfport | Depart Ship Island |
Monday – Tuesday | No trip | No trip |
Wednesday – Friday | 9:00 am | 2:30 pm |
Saturday – Sunday | 9:00 am & 12:00 pm | 2:30 pm & 5:00 pm |
Day of the Week | Depart Gulfport | Depart Ship Island |
Sunday – Saturday (all week) | 9:00 am & 12:00 pm | 2:30 pm & 5:00 pm |
Day of the Week | Depart Gulfport | Depart Ship Island |
Wednesday – Friday | 9am | 2:30pm |
Saturday – Sunday | 9:00 am & 12:00 pm | 2:30 pm & 5:00 pm |