Pack up and head to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. You really need to visit beautiful Front Beach in Ocean Springs. This beach is one of the best kept secrets along the entire Gulf of Mexico. Not one of the largest beaches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast but one of the best. The visit is entirely free. No cost to park, use restrooms, use the pier for fishing (you will need a fishing license).
My wife and I frequent the beach to eat a breakfast sandwich and drink our coffee. She drinks tea and that’s ok. Mornings bring out the joggers, walkers, dog walkers and a those individuals like us who love the peace and calm. There are so many birds around that we just sit and watch them. The pelicans are the most fun to watch as they have their own breakfast.
Fish jump out of the water on a regular basis and other birds fight for space on the few pilings left over from past hurricanes. Regardless of the time of year, there are two times of the day that we love the best at Front Beach, the morning and the evening just before dark. The sea breezes come in at both ends of the day making summers comfortable.
History on the beach
Front beach is the home of the former Ft. Maurepas established in 1699 when D’Iberville landed and claimed the land for France. Everyone knows of the Louisiana Purchase, well this was where it all started. Those ships landed in the gulf just off shore and for some time into the future France owned a large part of what is now the United States. Over the years the fort decayed and was eventually destroyed.
The City of Ocean Springs established a park on the site and placed a number of placques and statures to remind everyone who visits about the French heritage. Many places along the Mississippi Gulf have French names to this day. There is a French Club in Biloxi. The facility at the park is very nice. Modern restrooms, showers and picnic benches under cover.
Watch the video above (we borrowed it from RetireCoast.com) to see what the area looks like from the park facility. If you love fishing, this is a great place according to locals. You can even catch crabs if you have a basket. This park is a popular place for teenagers to gather. The often use the fire pits and enjoy each others company in the evening.
Take the bridge challenge
Walking at the beach is a popular past time. The sidewalk along the which sand was just repaired from a hurricane and now goes from the marina on the East to the Yacht club on the West. The path then goes to the pedestrian entrance to the bridge.
Take the bridge challenge. The walk is over two miles from Front Beach to the other side of Biloxi bay to the Golden Nugget Casino. We like the walk because of the incline of the bridge. The pedestrian walk way is safe and has seating and mileage markers along the way. What a terrific view of Biloxi Bay and the Gulf of Mexico from the peak of the bridge.
The photo above was taken during one of the Regattas held by the Yacht Club just off of Front Beach. This is just one of many events that are held along the beach. The annual Mardi Gras parade starts at Front Beach.
My wife and I were recently driving down the street at Front Beach and we witnessed a ceremony celebrating the oldest WWII veteran from Ocean Springs. Lots of people joined in the event. We had no idea of the event but that’s basically the point, Front Beach is a focal point for events in the area.
Ocean Springs Marina
The photo above was taken from the back of the marina which is accessed off of Front Beach. We like to walk around the boats and talk with the owners. The shrimp and fishing fleet are tied up there also. You can buy fresh caught shrimp, crab and other fish if you catch the boats at the right time. Actually you can arrange to meet them when they arrive.
The back marina is at the end of this photo. Another beautiful park was build along the same inlet that goes from Front Beach to the back marina. This long walkway is pleasant and we often walk along to see our favorite alligator. My wife says it’s a she, I am not sure. Sometimes it’s there and rarely ever moves from the mud shore on the other side.
The pelicans love to swoop down in this small bayou to have a meal. In addition we often see the other large birds that are part of the landscape here and many are endangered. We see turtles and fish jumping up.
Pelicans boating
The photo above was taken in the Ocean Springs marina near Front Beach. Pelicans were taking a trip with the fisherman on his boat. Not sure if they paid for the trip but it was funny. Notice the one next to the fisherman at the wheel. If you love pelicans, come to Front Beach and watch them.
My wife likes these birds (Great Blue Heron). They are protected and fly around our house near the bayou. We see them at the beach such as this one at the Front Beach pier. It allowed me to get pretty close, actually I walked around it without flying away. Notice it is standing on one leg, this what they do when they rest.
You are officially invited to visit Ocean Springs and Front Beach. Since you are officially invited to come, there is no reason to delay. Start making plans now, any time of the year is good, we can arrange for the fish and birds to meet you (well not actually). The high season for visiting is June and July. You can save money by visiting in the Fall and Winter.
Snowbirds are welcome in the Winter with lower rates
Professional Snowbirds know when to come and visit. It’s during the late fall and winter months. Rates for vacation rentals at Christies are the lowest of the entire year. Longer stays earn discounts. Booking directly on ChristiesGulfBeachRentals.com will not only earn you lower rates but you will receive at no additional cost, vacation travel insurance. This is a great benefit.
We even have a page on our site for professional Snowbirds. If you go to that site you can see what we offer you for staying during the winter.
No need to wait for the winter, even if you are only spending a weekend, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a great place to come and visit. This article about Front Beach is only one of many we will be doing on various areas along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We recommend that you visit RetireCoast.com to learn more about the area. Also check out our news selection on the menu at this site.
Retire on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Why not stay at one of our great vacation rentals and check out the area for possible retirement. Read this article “Why I decided to retire in Ocean Springs” a good place to start. Check out this article as well:
Podcast
Try our podcasts where we describe various areas along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Click here to visit our podcast page, from there you can use your own podcast service.
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