8 Best Beaches in Mississippi

By VacationIdea Staff on November 27, 2022 - Updated

Courtesy of pmstephens - Fotolia.com

When compared to nearby Gulf Coast states like Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, Mississippi has a relatively small stretch of coastline, but that's still more than enough to give the Magnolia State some of the best beaches in the area. When the sun starts to shine and the air gets warmer, there's no better way to have some fun in Mississippi than by heading down to one of the state's Gulf Coast beaches. Whether you're looking to swim, sunbathe, surf, fish, or do some wildlife watching, you'll find a lot of options all around Mississippi.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Gulfport Beach

Ask any Mississippi resident about their favorite beach and there’s a very strong chance they’ll mention Gulfport. This is one of the state’s main beach towns and has been hugely popular with both the state residents and tourists for decades now. It’s regarded as one of the cleanest and most comfortable beaches on the Gulf Coast, with a lot of good activities and water sports opportunities. You can try anything here, from fishing to jet skiing, and there’s a lot of space at Gulfport Beach so it never gets overly busy. Best Things to do in Gulfport

2.Mississippi Beach Vacation: Ship Island

Funnily enough, the term ‘Ship Island’ actually refers to two separate islands, known individually as East Ship Island and West Ship Island. These are a couple of the barrier islands not far from Gulfport Beach. There are plenty of things to do around the Mississippi barrier islands, with Ship Island being one of the best areas to visit. You can only get here by boat, but it’s worth the trip, with the beaches on West Ship Island being especially beautiful. There’s also a huge old fort situated on the island that can be fully explored, with guided tours running here each day.

3.Best Mississippi Beaches: East Beach

Situated in Ocean Springs, East Beach is a far cry from the flashy casinos and playgrounds of places like Biloxi Beach. You won't find too many tourists here at all, actually. Only the Mississippi locals tend to visit East Beach, meaning you can almost have the place to yourself if you come in the middle of the week. The beach runs for a long distance, with several fishing piers and simple amenities dotted out along the way. You can also find some nice guesthouses and cafes along this beach, so it's a nice spot to spend a relaxing day.

4.Best Mississippi Beaches: Biloxi Beach

Undoubtedly the most famous beach in all of Mississippi, Biloxi Beach is more than just a beach; it’s a full-on, all-ages entertainment area. No matter who you are or what you love, you’ll find a whole lot of fun to have at Biloxi Beach. If you’re just coming for the beach experience, Biloxi has some of the softest sand and warmest water in the area, but if you really want to make the most of your day, be sure to check out the area’s full range of activities, including steamboat tours, a trip around a lighthouse, fishing charters, casinos, restaurants, bars, resorts, kayaking, jet ski rentals, and more. Best Things to Do in Biloxi

5.Beaches Near Me: Bay St. Louis Beach

Not far from Biloxi Beach is Bay St. Louis Beach, and this is a good Mississippi coastal location for people who want to enjoy the same aesthetic beauty of Biloxi without all the crowds and attractions. It’s a quieter, simpler beach, with the local town offering a calm, relaxing atmosphere and a lot of pretty old store-lined streets to check out. The beach itself provides great views and good conditions for lots of different activities, and it’s one of the best Mississippi beaches for fishing and watching the sunset.

6.Beaches in Mississippi: Horn Island

Another of the barrier islands, Horn Island is found not too far from major coastal cities like Biloxi and Gulfport. You can hitch a ride on a private charter or tour boat to get over there, with some brave adventurers even choosing to make the journey by kayak. Either way, when you get to Horn Island, you'll be greeted to some of the softest, whitest sands on the entire Gulf Coast. This is a great spot for couples to visit for a romantic getaway, while also being equally well-suited for families or groups of friends planning a camping trip.

7.Beaches in Mississippi: Old Bridge Beach

On Bay Spring Lake’s southwest area, just a short drive off of MS Highway 4, is the Old Bridge Beach, a local beachfront recreational area that is typically bustling with activity as soon as the warmer months of Spring hit. At this beach, visitors can enjoy the use of a public shelter called the Old Lodge with 8 spacious tables and 8 grills for public use. Another shelter, called Lovers Leap, also has the same amenities and capacity, and may also be used by the public. Additional amenities at Old Bridge Beach include a small playground, a public shower, and a beach volleyball court.

Old Bridge Beach, Mississippi 38859

8.Beaches in Mississippi: Sardis Lake

Originally built as a flood control facility back in the 1930s, Sardis Lake was originally not intended to be a recreational destination. However, after the dam’s construction was finished, it became undeniably apparent that the area was going to be a popular destination, and recreation management soon became the lake’s priority. Today, Sardis Lake is a hotspot during the summer with various activities such as wakeboarding, picnicking, bird watching, hiking, as well as boating, being among the most popular. Sardis Lake also offers a number of amenities for day trip use such as its Paradise Point Pavilions, Lower Lake Pavilions, and more shelters along Main Beach, Engineer Point, and Clear Creek.

4235 State Park Road, Sardis, Mississippi 38666

8 Best Beaches in Mississippi

Gulfport Beach, Photo: Fotoluminate LLC/stock.adobe.com
Mississippi Beach Vacation: Ship Island, Photo: digidreamgrafix/stock.adobe.com
Best Mississippi Beaches: East Beach, Photo: foto76/stock.adobe.com
Best Mississippi Beaches: Biloxi Beach, Photo: duydophotography/stock.adobe.com
Beaches Near Me: Bay St. Louis Beach, Photo: Mosto/stock.adobe.com
Beaches in Mississippi: Horn Island, Photo: Wirepec/stock.adobe.com
Beaches in Mississippi: Old Bridge Beach, Photo: Jonathan Schops/stock.adobe.com
Beaches in Mississippi: Sardis Lake, Photo: Feng/stock.adobe.com
Cover Photo: Courtesy of pmstephens - Fotolia.com

Mississippi Beach Guide

Thirty of the United States have some kind of coastline, be it on ocean coast, a gulf coast, or a coast along one of the five Great Lakes. Twenty three of them have states on the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, or Gulf of Mexico, ensuring that many Americans are never too far away from the beach. So, whenever you need to just get away from it all, embrace nature, and spend some time far from the noise, lights, and pollution of the big cities, the beach is always one of your best options, especially if you happen to be living or traveling in one of the coastal states.

Despite having a relatively small stretch of coastline, Mississippi is still home to some of the finest beaches in the Gulf Coast area, with the likes of Biloxi and Gulfport being known all around the nation. So the next time you're in Mississippi on a sunny day and want to spend some time swimming, surfing, sunbathing, or just enjoying the sand and sea with your friends and loved ones, be sure to visit one of the locations listed below. The information supplied in our Mississippi beach guide will help you learn all you need to know about the state’s best beaches.

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