Mississippi Beaches

[1Curiousguy]

In September of 2014 I took my first trip to Hawaii. The beaches, as you might imagine, were fabulous. I live in the Houston area and heretofore the only beaches I have seen were in Galveston. As you can also imagine, there is no comparison. Hawaii has beautiful blue water, Galveston has muddy brown water.

Then there is the smell of the beaches in Galveston. Not pleasant. Whether these things are caused by effluent from the Mississippi River, as I’ve heard, or the offshore drilling I do not know.

My question is how are the beaches in Mississippi? I am not really a beach person, but I was considering visiting Mississippi for a short vacation later in 2015, however I would like to avoid a major disappointment in the beaches. And which beach in Mississippi is the best one to visit?

Also I am wondering if the casinos there are close enough to the beach to walk to them. If I go I would hope to be able to plan a visit when the casino is hosting shows that I’d like to see. As I said, I’m not really much of a beach person, so I’m looking for more to do than sit on the beach, although I would do that, too.

So opinions please from those who know the area would be greatly appreciated, especially if you’ve seen beaches in other parts of the US. And if there is anything else that would be interesting to do in the area, that would be nice to know, too.

[Guest062317-1]

The beach along the gulfcoast of Biloxi is a 13 mile stretch of brown water, which is actually a man made beach. The casinos are right along the beach. Not being a MS native, but a 20 year local...it is quite depressing to me. Florida is where the beauty is, IMO.
However, I do hope that you enjoy your visit this coming summer!

[1Curiousguy]

Thanks Flora. I'm not looking for a brown beach. However if I drive, Mississippi is a whole lot closer than Florida is. I've heard good things about Destin.

Guess my planning will continue, just perhaps in another direction.

[JustaGuyinMS]

The beaches in Mississippi are sheltered by its barrier islands, so the Mississippi Sound's waters are quite placid, except in storms. That allows the sediment from the several rivers that empty in to the Sound to stay in suspension, resulting in brown water. The good news is that many of the casinos are on the beach and, if you're in search of clearer waters, there is a ferry to Ship Island which gives access to the clear waters on the Gulf side of the island. There's also Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island - built after the War of 1812 and captured early in the Civil War by Union forces - cool place for photography.

Personally, I prefer the Mississippi Coast over most of the Alabama and Florida beaches because I am not a fan of high rise condos and roller coasters on the beach front.

The Mississippi Coast is a different kind of coastal place.

JaG

[Dunnigan]

Bottom line is you'll have to give up something. If you want beautiful water you have to put up with crowds...lots of them depending on time of year. I love this area because I hate crowds and traffic, but I can still parttake in lots of activities I enjoy.

I found Hawaii's beaches overrated. I froze my ass off in that water, and I swear that funky sand was in my butt crack for two weeks after I got home. Lol...yeah, I'd go back again, but I have more fun here. Just more my cup of tea.

[1Curiousguy]

I appreciate all of the comments you have provided. I am just in the thinking stages of vacation plans for 2015, assuming I can even take one this year. Hawaii was my first real vacation in almost 10 years and it's too expensive to repeat anytime soon.

As for the casinos, I am not a gambler (I always lose), but I was thinking more about the shows as something to do in the evenings. I know that Florida isn't likely to have anything comparable.

I'm not the type to just sit on the beach, but I was mesmerized by the beauty in Hawaii. (I agree, the sand in Hawaii was hard to wash off, I think that my surf shoes still carry some). I just wanted to enjoy that again or something similar without having to spend a king's ransom to get there or stay there.

And do the beaches in Florida really have amusement park rides on them? I have not heard that before. I have heard that Destin has some of the most beautiful beaches on the mainland. I was hoping not to have to drive that far.

You've given me some food for thought, I'll have to keep considering. Any other opinions, information or suggestions are welcome. I do appreciate whatever you have to say.

I hesitate to ask this, but what is the hobby scene like there? I can't say that I know any ladies in the area but I haven't looked either.

Wasn't really planning this as a play vacation, but you never know.

[Guest062317-1]

Hawaii is by far, incredibly breathtaking and the cultural history is intriguing

[Kernelingus]

Mississippi beaches haven't been the same since Camille. prior to Camille they were a lot like the Destin beaches, I hate stepping on those clay clumps on the bottom!!! Don't get us wrong, the beaches in MS are nice, just not the green and blue water like FL.

[Brer Rabbit]

To clarify, if not apparent: The beaches are white sand. Very nice. It is the water that is brown. As pointed out, the Mississippi Sound (the body of water next to the beach) is an estuary. It is rich in nutrients for shrimp, oyster, crabs and a lot of aquatic sea life. Because there is no pounding surf, the water stays brown looking.

A short ferry trip out to Ship Island, about 12 miles off shore, exposes the true Gulf of Mexico on the south shore of the island.

If it's just getting some sun on the beach that interests you, our beach is as good as some I've seen in Hawaii, but the wate, itself, r will be a big disappointment unless you go out to Ship Island. The night life is good with lots of entertainment options, great food and hotel accommodations.