Ship Island is a barrier island about 12 miles offshore from Gulfport, accessible by passenger ferry from the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor. It is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and offers some of the best undeveloped beach on the Gulf Coast: white sand, clear green water, and a long stretch of shoreline with no development behind it. The contrast with the built-up coast of Gulfport and Biloxi is immediate and striking.
Fort Massachusetts stands at the western end of the island, a 19th-century brick fortification that was used by Union forces during the Civil War as a staging point for the siege of New Orleans. The walls are intact and the interior is open to walk through. Rangers give talks on the fort's history during the summer season. The structure has a melancholy, end-of-the-world quality — massive masonry facing an open horizon — that makes it compelling even if you have no particular interest in military history.
The ferry runs from spring through autumn and takes about an hour each way. Bring everything you need — there is a small concession stand on the island but no restaurants or shops. The beach in front of the fort is excellent swimming, and the far eastern end of the island is usually empty of people even when the ferry is full. Dolphins are commonly spotted from the ferry on the crossing.