• Beach walkway to white sandy beach and bluegreen waters

    Gulf Islands

    National Seashore FL,MS

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Partial Closure on Horn Island

    Small portion of Horn Island, Mississippi, closed to entry due to discovery of asbestos and possible other bio hazards. Click on more for map and press release. More »

  • Park Closures

    Restrooms, and Visitor Center closures due to the impact of Seqestration. More »

Bird Watching

The National Seashore comprises several diverse ecological communities which attract a wide variety of bird life. The offshore barrier islands consist of open beaches, dunes, freshwater marshes and wooded areas. On the mainland, also, are freshwater marshes, salt marshes and wooded areas which offer wildlife habitats. More than 280 species of birds have been identified within the boundaries of Gulf Islands National Seashore, since its establishment in January 1971. Pick up a bird checklist at any of the visitor centers in the Park. The bird check list will help you identify the birds you see and also lists the seasons and the abundance of each of the 280 species. Please report unusual or new sightings to the Interpretation Division, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32563, phone 850-934-2600.

Did You Know?

Murray Dorty, an African-American Union Civil War re-enactor, stands at attention inside Fort Massachusetts.

The 2nd Regiment of Louisiana Native Guards trained on Ship Island and became the first black unit on April 9, 1863 on the Gulf Frontier.  They met Confederate forces in battle during a raid on Pascagoula, MS.