There’s something beautifully understated about the beaches near Gulfport. They don’t shout for attention—they offer it. Space to breathe. Time to think. Mornings here began with the hush of small waves and ended with golden light glinting off the Gulf. I came for quiet and found more than I knew I needed.
Best Beaches in Gulfport (MS):
Strolling along soft shores at Gulfport Beach
Gulfport Beach felt like a gentle invitation—to slow down, to let go, to just be. The beach was wide and calm, framed by swaying sea oats and distant ships drifting by. I remember thinking, "Peace doesn’t have to be loud or far away." It was here all along, just waiting for me to notice.
What I Loved Most: Watching pelicans skim the water and finding stretches of sand where it felt like I had the coast to myself.
My Highlights? A breezy lunch at Shaggy’s Gulfport Beach. I had the Beachside Tacos—blackened shrimp, slaw, and chipotle aioli—with a side of hushpuppies. Sitting on the deck with the salt air in my hair and the sun warming my shoulders, I felt completely unrushed.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Downtown Gulfport: Minutes
- Vibe: Relaxed, family-friendly, spacious
- Highlights: Walking paths, fishing pier, nearby restaurants
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or early fall for mellow weather
- Cost: Free parking along the beach
- Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk
- Address: 2250 Beach Blvd, Gulfport, MS
Sunlight and stillness at Biloxi Beach
Biloxi Beach had a rhythm all its own. Softer waves, quieter mornings, and an endless horizon that calmed my thoughts. I remember thinking, "This is what balance feels like—warm sand under my feet, breeze on my face, and not a single rush in sight."
What I Loved Most: Shell hunting along the shoreline and walking the pier at golden hour as gulls cried overhead.
My Highlights? A post-beach dinner at Mary Mahoney’s Old French House. I ordered the broiled stuffed flounder with lump crabmeat and a buttery white wine sauce. In a historic courtyard under oak trees, it felt like stepping back in time in the best possible way.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Gulfport: ~20 minutes east
- Vibe: Historic, breezy, soft-spoken
- Highlights: Fishing pier, lighthouse views, nearby casinos
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for fewer crowds
- Cost: Free access and parking areas
- Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk
- Address: Biloxi Beach, Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS
Review:★★★★★ "I'm glad we visited Biloxi Beach. I loved the laid-back vibe of the area. There are many nearby restaurants serving fresh seafood. The Gulf Coast is known for its sunsets and Biloxi Beach didn't disappoint. "
Escaping to wild serenity on Ship Island
The ferry to Ship Island felt like a reset button. The boat ride itself was freeing, but it was the island—untouched, open, raw—that moved me. I remember thinking, "So this is what it means to be small in the best way." With no traffic, no clutter, just sand and sea and sky, it all felt elemental.
What I Loved Most: Walking barefoot across the boardwalk to the Gulf side and seeing dolphins off the bow on the way back.
My Highlights? I packed a picnic from Mockingbird Café in Bay St. Louis before boarding: a turkey pesto sandwich with kettle chips and a slice of lemon bar. Eating it under an umbrella, waves lapping nearby, it tasted like summer.
Travel Tips:
- Ferry from Gulfport: Leaves from Gulfport Small Craft Harbor
- Vibe: Wild, peaceful, remote
- Highlights: Fort Massachusetts, pristine beaches, shelling
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring to early fall (check ferry schedule)
- Cost: Ferry ticket required (~$30 round trip)
- Hours: Dependent on ferry times
- Address: 1010 23rd Ave, Gulfport, MS
Charming calm at Bay St. Louis Beach
Bay St. Louis felt like a whisper of a town—and I loved that about it. The beach here was quieter, lined with live oaks and Victorian cottages, and the downtown felt like a hug. I remember thinking, "This is the kind of place where time slows because it wants to stay."
What I Loved Most: Swinging under a tree near the beach and walking to the little shops just blocks away.
My Highlights? A relaxed breakfast at Buttercup on Second Street. I had lemon-blueberry pancakes with whipped cream and a side of thick-cut bacon. Eating outside with a view of sailboats, I didn’t check my phone once.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Gulfport: ~30 minutes west
- Vibe: Artsy, quiet, small-town
- Highlights: Walkable downtown, swings by the beach, great food
- Best Time to Visit: Anytime, especially weekends for live music
- Cost: Free beach access
- Hours: Beach open all day
- Address: Beach Blvd, Bay St. Louis, MS
Still mornings on Harrison County Sand Beach
The Harrison County Sand Beach stretches for miles, a continuous thread of sugar-white sand and calm water. It’s the kind of place where you can hear yourself think. I remember thinking, "There’s space here—for reflection, for movement, for breathing again."
What I Loved Most: Jogging at sunrise and watching the sky shift from gray to pink to blue as the world slowly woke up.
My Highlights? A smoothie stop at Coast Roast Coffee in Gulfport. I had their Gulf Coast Green smoothie and a toasted bagel with cream cheese. I sat on a bench watching joggers pass, sun warming my legs. It felt like a scene I didn’t want to end.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time: Runs along U.S. 90 between Pass Christian and Biloxi
- Vibe: Serene, open, family-friendly
- Highlights: Walking paths, picnic areas, wide sandy stretches
- Best Time to Visit: Early mornings or late afternoons
- Cost: Free access and parking
- Hours: Open dawn to dusk
- Address: Beach Blvd, Harrison County, MS
Leaving the Gulf Coast Slower Than I Came
These Mississippi beaches didn’t dazzle with drama—they soothed with simplicity. They gave me space to think, feel, and move at my own pace. I left with sun-warmed skin, sandy toes, and a quiet kind of joy that stuck around long after I packed my bag. Sometimes the best getaways don’t shout—they whisper, “Stay a little longer.”
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