WEST SHIP ISLAND, MISSISSIPPI

 

May 5, 2012

We left Rabbit Island at 7:30 AM heading for mile marker 76, West Ship Island.  Everything about the ICW seems to be getting better with every mile east we go.  Less traffic, cleaner water.


IT'S PERFECT AT ANCHOR
SHIP ISLAND

After a short day we arrived at West Ship Island.  We drop the anchor & settle in to the most relaxing place we have been.  I guess staying 2 nights is a must.

WOW!  The weather is beautiful, the sand is white & the water is clear.  There are bottle nose dolphin everywhere we look.  All around the boat in groups, sometimes 8 or 10 at a time.  The park ranger said this part of the gulf has the highest concentration of bottle nose dolphin in the world.



FORT MASSACHUSETTS



Ship Island is the home of  Fort Massachusetts, built in 1859. We got up on Sunday & lowered the dingy for a tour of the fort & island.  After seeing the fort we walked to the gulf side of the island & made our way all the way back around the west end & back to where we left the dingy.  Long walk, collected a few shells, the water was clear & warm.  As we were getting back into the dingy 6 Skate's swam by in the water at our feet.  They look like a small ray, 2 to 3 ft across.

WHITE SAND OF
SHIP ISLAND

We returned to the boat & began getting ready for our departure the next AM.  About 7PM we saw a boat heading in to anchor.  It looked very familiar.  None other than Monarch with Dauphin & Jody aboard.  This is great!  More company from our old dock in Kemah.  As soon as they dropped the anchor nearby, a storm blew in.  Winds up to 45 knots & rain.  It didn't last long, but we decided to wait until tomorrow to visit Monarch.

RED MOON RISING OVER
 FORT MASSACHUSETTS