The 11 Best Beaches in Mississippi Should Be on Your Bucket List

When most people think of Mississippi, great beaches are not the first thing to come to mind. But the Gulf of Mexico is the largest gulf in the entire world, and it has beautiful, warm water and a diverse ecosystem.

Mississippi locals know that their 62 miles of coastline and 26 miles of accessible beachfront are some of the most beautiful and fun in the entire South.

The diverse array of beaches on the Mississippi coast has something for everyone. We’ll explore some of the best things about the beaches in Mississippi. Below, check out the top 11 of the most popular beaches in Mississippi and what makes each one unique.

1. Biloxi Beach – Biloxi

Biloxi was founded as one of the first European settlements in the region. It is famous today for its many casinos and for the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum.

The beach here is a local favorite. It doesn’t get too crowded, the parking is free and the calm water is perfect for putting a raft or tube in the water to relax the day away.

The downtown area, with its casinos and restaurants, is walkable from many parts of the beach, and there’s a famous 19th century restored lighthouse that’s considered a local landmark.

Chairs and umbrellas are available to rent, as are wave runners and sand vehicles.

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2. Ship Island Public Beach – Gulfport

Ship Island’s reputation is as the home of some of the best beaches in the South, if not the entire U.S.

The barrier islands are located 11 miles off the coast and are among the final undeveloped islands in the Gulf. A one-hour ferry ride out to Ship Island is scenic and allows guests to enjoy the local marine life.

Here is where you’ll find Mississippi’s clearest waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Concessions are available for sale.

Fort Massachusetts is located here, too. It’s a fully preserved Civil War fort offering regular public tours.

3. Front Beach – Ocean Springs

Front Beach has plenty of rental cottages available, making it a desirable location for vacationers. It’s a wide beach with lots of space for privacy, and like so many others, never feels too crowded.

Photographers love this beach, as it is known as one of the more picturesque coastal locations.

Convenience is key here: There’s a little path that leads to the restroom facilities.

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4. Waveland Beach – Bay St. Louis

The city of Waveland is known as the “Hospitality City.” It’s a place that emphasizes quiet and peacefulness.

Unlike the other Mississippi beach towns, Waveland prohibits all commercial businesses directly along the coast, so beachgoers who like to take it easy may want to opt for this location.

For history and culture, there’s the Veterans Memorial Monument. Also along Waveland Beach is Buccaneer State Park, a 343-acre camping area with RV sites, golf, hiking, swimming and any outdoor activity you can think of.

5. Horn Island – Jackson City

Like Ship Island, Horn Island is an offshore destination where you can take in the clear blue waters of the gulf. The difference here is that there is no ferry service. The island is only accessible by private boat.

Visitors are required to check in with the on-duty ranger when they arrive. Camping and campfires are permissible, and the undeveloped land allows everyone to observe the natural animal life.

You’ll be roughing it, though. There are no facilities at all on Horn Island.

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6. Gulfport Beach – Gulfport

This is probably one of the more popular beaches along Mississippi’s coast. It lies directly between Biloxi Beach and Long Beach.

Free parking is available, and the sandy area is so vast that you’ll rarely find yourself in a crowd. For the kids, there’s a fenced-in playground and multiple volleyball courts available.

Downtown Gulfport is nearby and, like some of the other towns, has lots of post-beach entertainment.

7. Long Beach – Long Beach

Long Beach is mainly an extension of Biloxi Beach and Gulfport Beach, but it is considered the quieter version by locals.

At Long Beach, you can find multiple piers for fishing and an observation tower for viewing the scenery. The city even maintains showers for getting the sand off.

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8. Gulf Islands National Seashore – Ocean Springs

The National Seashore is maintained and operated by the National Park Service. It encompasses all of the gulf islands off the coast of Mississippi.

Once admitted to the park areas, you can enjoy biking, camping, bird watching, sailing, boating, snorkeling and many more activities around the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

9. East Beach – Ocean Springs

East Beach is off the beaten path, with no tourist attractions to speak of. During your peaceful visit here you’ll spot a few fishing piers and some small cafés. There are plenty of vacation rentals nearby for those who prefer to relax.

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10. Dogwood Beach – Pass Christian

The city of Pass Christian is nicknamed “The Pass” by locals. It’s an enjoyable little tourist area with multiple beaches just a short distance from downtown.

White sands, clear waters, umbrella and kayak rentals and plenty of amenities give Dogwood Beach its personality. Plenty of shopping and dining options abound nearby.

11. Ross Barnett Reservoir Beaches – Ridgeland

“The Rez,” as it’s called by the locals, is not a coastal beach but a lake just outside of Jackson. The reservoir serves as a source of clean water for the area, but it is also a popular place for recreation. There are multiple small beach areas.

Fishing is abundant here, and many seafood restaurants can be found nearby. Swimming, water skiing and towing are all permitted; just make sure you stay within the designated areas so the city can maintain the cleanliness of the water.

Others Mississippi’s Beautiful Beaches

Mississippi’s Gulf Coast has many other small and large beach areas to visit, all located within a relatively close area. Bay St. Louis Beach, Lake Mars Beach in Ocean Springs, Popp’s Ferry Landing in Biloxi, Harrison County Beach in Gulfport and Ocean Springs Beach all offer the same great amenities as the others on this list.

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The 10 Reasons to Visit Mississippi’s Beaches

1. Warm Water

One advantage of being located along the Gulf of Mexico is that the water is warmer, on average, than it is out east on the Atlantic coast: typically about five degrees warmer. The water here consistently gets above 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months.

The reason for the warmth is the Gulf Stream current, which brings the warm water from the equator up north.

Anyone who loves the refreshing feel of an ocean swim will want to come down here to feel the difference!

2. Beautiful Colors

While the waters directly off of Mississippi’s mainland aren’t naturally clear, there are beaches off of the islands in the gulf that feature bright blue and emerald-green waters reminiscent of the tropics.

The clear water and bright colors are a result of the Gulf of Mexico’s calmer currents, which kick up a lot less sediment and debris here than at the beaches along the open ocean.

These islands are only accessible by boat, but they can be well worth it for a Caribbean-style, tropical feel.

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3. White Sand

Many people don’t realize it, but Mississippi’s gulf beaches feature some of the whitest, cleanest sand in the South. Anyone can come here to witness the miles and miles of soft white sand.

The sand stays relatively cool in the hot sun, is easy to walk on and lends itself well to putting down a towel or chair to enjoy a cold beverage on a hot afternoon.

4. Romantic Atmosphere

What’s more romantic than a long sunset walk along the beach? Mississippi is home to wide-open, sandy beaches with plenty of space for lovers to take a romantic stroll.

Beyond the actual beach, the coastal area features many options for casino gaming, dining, shopping and beautiful scenery that will set the mood for any couple’s getaway.

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5. Family-Friendly Sites

Most of the beaches in Mississippi have shallow waters, perfect for letting little ones wade in and swim around. The seas are naturally calmer in the gulf, so there’s less need to worry about big waves.

The sand is smooth and clear of debris, and the conditions are perfect for bringing the whole family down for a relaxing beach day.

Many of the beaches are close to restaurants, cafés and restroom facilities, ensuring that the kids will be able to stay at the beach all day long.

6. Water Sports

While you won’t find many surfers on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, owing to the calm waters, there are plenty of other water sports to enjoy. The beaches here are ideal for activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding and parasailing.

Anglers also have a plethora of enjoyable, peaceful fishing sites with ideal conditions for nabbing the big one.

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7. Natural Beauty

Aside from the obvious beauty of the sand, surf and sunsets, nature trails and protected sites also dot the area. Miles of wooded trails, parks, nature reserves and undeveloped islands make the Mississippi coast a great place for bird watchers, naturalists and campers.

Don’t forget the binoculars!

8. Dining

Sitting out in the sun all day can work up quite an appetite. Most of Mississippi’s beach towns work hard to satisfy their visitors with top-rated dining. There are countless options for small boutique cafés, family-friendly grills and romantic high-end bistros.

Of course, the area also has some of the freshest, most delicious seafood in the entire region.

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9. Shopping

Even if you’re not a beach enthusiast, you’ll love hitting up some of the local Mississippi shopping areas, where you’ll find boutique shops stretching on for miles. Many are located in quaint, walkable downtowns, with some accessible directly from the beach.

Cities like Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian and Ocean Springs are especially popular for a great shopping spree.

10. History

While visiting, you’ll undoubtedly learn about the rich history of the Mississippi beaches as well as the entire coastal region.

The area was first home to the Biloxi Native American tribe and was colonized by the French in the late 1690s. The territory later changed hands between Great Britain and Spain before coming under the control of the United States in the late 1700s.

Many major historical sites have been preserved for public enjoyment. Tourists can visit forts like Fort Massachusetts or spot some of the historical mansions built along the coast.

Conclusion

Mississippi’s gulf coast features the perfect mix of beauty, fun, hospitality and charm. With so many options around the beach towns, visitors will find new beaches to explore along the coast across multiple trips.

Whether you’re looking for a refreshing swim, a deep tan, an exciting volleyball game, an adventure on a wave runner or just a quiet outing on the sand, the beaches in Mississippi will leave you impressed.

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FAQs about the Best Beaches in Mississippi Should Be on Your Bucket List

1. How do Mississippi beaches compare to Florida or Alabama for water color and sand?
   Mainland Mississippi beaches—from Waveland and Bay St. Louis through Gulfport and Biloxi—have soft, white to tan sand but water often appears brownish due to the Mississippi Sound and upriver silt.​
   Barrier islands (especially Ship Island and Horn Island) offer much clearer, bluer water and more of the “Emerald Coast” feel, which is why they feature prominently on many bucket-list itineraries.​
2. Which Mississippi beaches are best for families and calmer water?
   Gulfport Beach and Biloxi Beach provide shallow, gentle surf protected by barrier islands, ideal for young kids and less confident swimmers.​
   Long Beach, Waveland, and Bay St. Louis beaches are also popular with families seeking quieter stretches of sand, spacious parking, and proximity to playgrounds, splash pads, and casual seafood spots.​
3. What’s the most affordable way to experience the “best” of Mississippi’s beaches?
   Travelers base in Gulfport, Biloxi, or Bay St. Louis, where free or low cost public beach access, ample parking, and frugal lodging keep day-to-day costs manageable.​
   Adding a single paid ferry trip to Ship Island or another Gulf Islands National Seashore beach delivers that crystal-clear-water experience without lavish lodging and crowds of Alabama or Florida resort towns.​
4. Are Mississippi beaches good for swimming, or mainly for walking and scenery?
   Locals and visitors do swim at Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Long Beach, and Biloxi, especially on calm, warm days, but water clarity is usually opaque, and some prefer to stay shallower or focus on wading and playing.​
   Serious swimmers and snorkelers often head to Ship Island and other barrier islands, where offshore waters are clearer and feel more like classic Gulf of Mexico beach destinations.​
5. What else is there to do near the beaches besides sunbathing?
   The Mississippi Gulf Coast layers casinos, aquariums (Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport), children’s museums, shrimping trips, river and marsh tours, and historic downtowns spread across 62 miles of coastline.​
   Visitors can combine beach time with art galleries in Ocean Springs, shopping and dining in Bay St. Louis, Biloxi lighthouse and museums, and boat trips to Gulf Islands National Seashore.​
6. When is the best time of year to visit Mississippi’s beaches?
   Late spring and early fall typically contain warm water, manageable humidity, and fewer crowds than peak summer, while still supporting most outdoor and on-water activities.​
   Summer delivers the hottest temperatures and most reliable beach weather but also higher lodging prices and a greater chance of afternoon storms and tropical systems, so flexible plans and travel insurance become crucial.​
7. How should first-time visitors structure a short “bucket-list” trip to Mississippi’s beaches?
   Practical 3–4 day plans encompass: day 1 in Biloxi or Gulfport (beach, Mississippi Aquarium or shrimping trip, and a seafood dinner), day 2 ferry to Ship Island for clear water and Fort Massachusetts, and day 3 exploring Bay St. Louis or Ocean Springs’ artsy downtowns and waterfront.​
   Those staying later can add Waveland or Long Beach for quieter sands, or use the Coastal Mississippi “Stay & Play” resources to mix in golf, casinos, and nature tours while keeping the beaches themselves as the trip’s central focus.​