Mission

The Seashore preserves certain outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational resources along the northern Gulf Coast of Florida and Mississippi.  These include several coastal defense forts spanning more than two centuries of military activity, archeological values, pristine examples of intact Mississippi coastal barrier islands, salt marshes, bayous and submerged sea grass beds, complex terrestrial communities, emerald green water, and white sand beaches.

Purpose

The purpose of Gulf Islands National Seashore is to preserve and interpret its Gulf Coast barrier island and bayou ecosystem and its system of coastal defense fortifications, while providing for the public use and enjoyment of these resources.