• Beach walkway to white sandy beach and bluegreen waters

    Gulf Islands

    National Seashore FL,MS

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West Ship Island Ferry Service

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Date: February 15, 2012
Contact: Susan Blair, 228-875-9057

 

Release Date:2/11/2012

Contact:Susan Blair or Stacy Speas, 228-875-9057

 

Gulf Islands National Seashore Announces

West Ship Island Ferry Service to Resume

West Ship Island, MS:

"With the onset of spring weather, we encourage the public to take the ferry out to beautiful West Ship Island to beachcomb and learn more about Ship Island's history," states Superintendent Dan Brown.Free, ranger-led programs are offered on West Ship Island five days a week.

Have you ever taken the ferry from Gulfport to Ship Island?Captain Peter Skrmetta started ferrying passengers to Ship Island in 1926, and his descendants still operate the business today.The ferry ride to West Ship Island is half the fun.Visitors often see bottlenose dolphins frolicking, brown pelicans on channel markers, and interesting boats in the Gulfport ship channel.

The Ship Island Excursions passenger ferry service to West Ship Island, will resume on Saturday, March 24, 2012.Ferries depart Wednesdays through Sundays from the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor at the intersection of U.S. Highways 90 and 49. There will be no scheduled departures on Mondays or Tuesdays until mid-May.For more information about ferry service to West Ship Island, see www.msshipisland.com or contact Ship Island Excursions at (228) 864-1014.

Guided 30 - 40 minute Fort Massachusetts Tours on West Ship Island will begin with the resumption of ferry service on Saturday, March 24.Tours will be offered Wednesdays through Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. with additional tours at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and one tour on Sundays at 1:30 p.m.Tour times are approximate and may vary with the arrival of the ferry.Learn why this formidable structure was built on an isolated island.What was it protecting?Meet just inside the fort's entrance.

Did You Know?

Live oak trees are strong and durable.

In 1828, John Q. Adams designated the Naval Live Oaks Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore as the first United States tree farm.  Live oak trees are known for their incredible density and resistance to disease. They provided durable wood for the construction of early naval vessels.