At the northern edge of the Gulf lies America’s Riviera – the Mississippi Coast.
The Mississippi Coast is a 70 mile stretch along the Gulf of Richena (or whatever the heck we’re calling it now). Sandy beaches, stately manor homes, and fishing fleets await your inspection.
Three counties comprise the Mississippi Coast, with the cities of Gulf Port and Biloxi about dead center. Gulf Port, not surprisingly, has a busy ship building yard.
The Mississippi Coast lies behind a string of barrier islands on the Mississippi Sound. Which means it’s protected from acute waves (unless a hurricane blows through.) So the shoreline is whistle clean and has gentle lapping tides. But the water is silt-filled from the sound and about the color of sweet tea.
I spent a week exploring the coast while visiting Biloxi. The town of Ocean Springs, just across the bay, is a lovely community with an artsy-crafty downtown and a public beach that allows dogs. There’s also a substantial fishing fleet here. I think Forest Gump’s boat, Jenny, was at the dock.
The area is filled with protected estuaries and part of Gulf Islands National Seashore reaches here.
On the western edge near Pass Christian are gorgeous historic homes. Their front lawns face the ocean, and one such home was declared the Dixie White House as President Woodrow Wilson spent a long season here.
Fishing is big business on the Mississippi Coast. There are major shrimp fleets and seafood wholesalers here. Lots of regular folks throw a line off the piers, too.
But this coastline had its share of hurricanes. The evidence of terrible storms and strong water surge is still present. Its one-time reputation as America’s Riviera may need an update.
The beaches, however, are meticulously groomed and maintained. Such lovely sand! Super clean. Except for a lone Mr. Coffee machine I found abandoned on the dune. How does that even happen?
You’ll not find the Mississippi Coast overrun with tourist attractions. Even the typical beach restaurants are few and far between. I don’t know if it’s always been this unspoiled, or if Katrina washed everything away twenty years ago?
I really enjoyed this tour around Mississippi’s coast. I’d like to come back and explore more.
Coastal Mississippi is worth a visit. Expect a laid-back beach scene that doesn’t make you work too hard to relax!