Do you need a different kind of vacation, one with some physical and out of doors activity? Try camping for a few nights at zero cost on Deer Island a few paddle strokes from Biloxi, Mississippi. Yes, it’s FREE. no reservations are required. This primitive island is just offshore on the Mississippi Sound. You can camp on the island with a tent and swim in the Gulf of Mexico. The best part is you can rent a kayak and paddle over. No facilities are provided except for a great boat dock.
Deer Island is unique in so many ways. Many people go there to watch the varieties of birds Deer Island, located in Mississippi, is home to a variety of bird species. Some common birds you may find on Deer Island include brown pelicans, seagulls, terns, herons, egrets, ospreys, and shorebirds like sandpipers and plovers. However, the specific bird species present on the island can vary depending on the season and migratory patterns.
You can reach the island by boat or as mentioned manually powered craft. The largest area for hiking and camping is on the Eastern portion of the island where much of the pine forest and trees shade the area. You can reach that area by heading out from Front Beach in Ocean Springs. It’s a two-mile trip one way from Front Beach.
It’s easy to paddle to Deer Island
The water between Deer Island and Front Beach is usually calm unless the wind is up. Should sea conditions cause waves while you are on your way back, don’t worry, you can paddle West to the very narrow distance between the island and Biloxi which is about 500′ wide near the Hard Rock Hotel.
People who have camped on the island recommend camping away from the trees because of nesting birds. You must only light your fire on the sandy beach anyway so it’s nice to camp near the water. The state recently completed a controlled burn to remove dead debris and help new pine seedlings grow to replace dead trees. If you have a boat that you can sleep on, you can tie it to the beach and stay on the boat then have your fire on the beach.
This island has a long history with the local indigenous tribes who have lived in the area for thousands of years. Europeans arrived in the late 1600s and used the island for a variety of purposes. People lived on the island where they farmed and fished in the 18th and 19th centuries. An amusement park operated there in 1915. The Baker family lived on the island for five generations.
Before hurricane Camile (1969) wiped out all of the houses on the island, people lived there, raised cattle, and pigs, and grew fruit and nut trees. The Bakers decided not to rebuild because Hurricane Camile also removed much of the fertile soil.
Deer Island is uninhabited
The state of Mississippi purchased 400-acre Deer Island which is uninhabited. The state permits overnight camping with tents only. Fires can be set in designated fire rings. There are no rangers and often no one else on the island.
Interesting sights on the island are a variety of animals, turtles, shore birds, and bottlenose dolphins. The beaches are clean and you have a choice, either the north side of the island facing the coast of Biloxi or the south side of the island facing out into the Sound and Gulf of Mexico.
Part of the island stretches past the Biloxi small craft harbor and several casinos. This island is a great place to get away and yet stay in an area with lots of amenities. The rural nature of the island is great for a day trip and overnight in a tent.
While you are on the island, you can hike, swim, or fish. The seclusion is something that many people desire and at the same time when it’s time to move on, you can stop by one of the fine restaurants in the area. If you are inclined and want to rent a boat, you can do some island hopping.
Visit other barrier islands
Visit horn island to the South East a few miles. This is one of the most popular islands for locals, particularly in the summer. This barrier island exposes its southern beaches to the sun and waves. Some people have even surfed there.
Go a bit further in the West direction and you will find more of the Gulf Islands National Seashore with two additional islands to explore. Cat Island, a few people live there, and the popular Ship Island where you can see a pre-civil war military fort. This island has facilities for daily use including a snack bar. If you do not have a boat, you can visit by taking a ferry service from Biloxi or Gulfport. There is much to discover along Coastal Mississippi.
Back to Deer Island. Many people visit Deer Island on July 4th as it is one of the best places to see the large firework display sponsored by the City of Biloxi. The fireworks barge is halfway between Biloxi Beach and Deer Island. A lot of people walk along the Biloxi shoreline where they can see Deer Island. At times, you may be able to walk over to the island when the tide is out. Many people as I mentioned above canoe or kayak over to the island. The water in the area between Biloxi Beach and Deer Island is almost always calm except when it is windy.
There are ten types of endangered species on Deer Island:
1. Mississippi Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis pulla): This bird species is critically endangered and found exclusively in the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge on Deer Island.
2. Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin): These turtle species are facing population decline due to habitat loss, coastal development, and accidental capture in fishing gear.
3. Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis): This endangered bird species rely on mature pine forests for nesting and foraging, which have been significantly reduced due to logging and urbanization.
4. Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus): These land-dwelling tortoises are important ecosystem engineers, creating burrows that provide shelter for various species. Habitat destruction is the primary threat to their survival.
5. Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi): This nonvenomous snake is the longest native snake species in North America and is critically endangered due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal collection for the pet trade.
6. Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi): This fish species, found in the Gulf of Mexico, faces threats from overfishing, habitat degradation, and dam construction, which hinder their migratory routes.
7. Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta): These sea turtles nest on Deer Island’s beaches, but face challenges such as coastal development, pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, and accidental ingestion of marine debris.
8. West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus): Although not native to Deer Island, manatees occasionally visit the area. They are listed as endangered due to boat collisions, habitat loss, and pollution.
9. Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus): These small shorebirds nest on sandy beaches and dunes, facing threats from habitat loss, disturbance from human activities, and predation.
10. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii): This is the most critically endangered sea turtle species, primarily due to accidental capture in fishing gear, habitat loss, and pollution. Although not commonly found on Deer Island, they may occasionally visit the area.
What Fish are around Deer Island?
You may also find an alligator or two roaming around. Watch for water moccasins, a dangerous snake species known to live on the island. Alligators and snakes generally stay away from people but it’s good to keep an eye out for them. About those fish, there is an amazing variety in the water around Deer Island including:
- Redfish (Red Drum)
- Speckled Trout
- Flounder
- Black Drum
- Sheepshead
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Tarpon
- Cobia
- Tripletail
- Snook
- Pompano
- Grouper
- Snapper (various species, such as Red Snapper, Mangrove Snapper)
- Jack Crevalle
- Ladyfish
- Bluefish
- Sharks (various species, such as Blacktip Shark, Bull Shark)
- Amberjack
- Permit
The favorite eating fish are Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder which can be found in local restaurants. I love blackened redfish, something you don’t often find outside of the South. Red Snapper if popular nationwide along with Grouper and a few others. Many of these fish are available in restaurants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast but not elsewhere.
You may be lucky to catch a few and roast them over the open fire near your Deer Island campsite. Be sure to understand the size limits for the various fish, Mississippi has minimum and maximum sizes for some of the fish such as redfish.
​You may also find blue crabs in the shallow water around the island. There are various ways to catch these delicious morsels. You can buy bait for these fish at any of the marinas just across the water from where you are staying.
The rules about staying in the Deer Island area are as follows:
- Camping is only allowed on sand beach areas of Deer Island
- Camping is permitted for up to seven days without prior written approval from MDR Coastal Preserves Program.
- Do not camp within 300 feet of an Osprey or Bald Eagle nest (or nesting shore birds)
- Campfires are permitted on bare sandy beaches near the water.
- The fire must be completely extinguished before leaving the area
- Do not cut any live or dead-standing vegetation for firewood or other use.
- Only loose woody material on the ground may be collected for burning
- Hunting is prohibited
- Must have a valid Mississippi Fishing License to fish
- Trash brought in must be carried out
- Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times.
- Firearms are permitted but no target practice
- Glass containers are forbidden on Mississippi Beaches
The Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area suggests that you may only leave footprints behind. The best time of year to see dolphins near Deer Island, Mississippi, is during the warmer months, typically from late spring to early fall.
Dolphins are more active and frequently spotted in the area during this time. It’s worth noting that dolphins are wild animals, and their presence can vary based on factors such as food availability, weather conditions, and tidal patterns. However, visiting during the summer months generally increases your chances of encountering dolphins in the waters around Deer Island.
What birds are on Deer Island?
This list of birds may be found on or around Deer Island. Most of the birds live there all year, and some visit during specific seasons:
- Black skimmer
- Blue heron
- Brown Pelican
- Caspian tern
- Common tern
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Great blue heron
- Great egret
- Green heron
- Laughing gull
- Least tern
- Loggerhead turtle
- Mottled duck
- Osprey
- Piping plover
- Reddish egret
- Roseate spoonbill
- Sandwich tern
- Snowy egret
- Tricolored heron
- White ibis
- Wood stork
- Yellow-crowned night heron
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about Deer Island
Are there Deer on Deer Island?: No, there once were many deer on the island
Can I drive to Deer Island?: No, there is no bridge
Does anyone live on Deer Island?: No longer after Hurricane Camile
Who owns Deer Island?: The state of Mississippi recently purchased the last private property.
How do I get to Deer Island?: Canoe, kayak, boat, or swim.
Can I see July 4th Fireworks from Deer Island and can I fire them off too?: Yes and yes
Consider visiting
As mentioned above, your vacation may include staying in a tent for part of the time on Deer Island. There is much to see on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in addition to beautiful Deer Island. Consider visiting:
- The Mississippi Aquarium
- Beauvoir House and Museum
- Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum
- Margaritaville resort Biloxi
- The Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs
- Audubon Society Center
There is much more to see and do, check out our Activities on this blog for more things to do. Did I mention that you can take the Biloxi Shrimping Trip just across from the island in the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor? Take a day trip to New Orleans or Mobile. Of course, with 12 casinos, you will find many favorite places on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
If you want to go to a fun place, visit one of several restaurants high in the sky on the beach. The closest to Deer Island is McElroys directly across from the island in the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor.
Need camping gear or rent a boat?
Considering camping on Deer Island and needing gear? Try Academy Sports a few miles from the island in Diberville. Dicks Sporting Goods is another good choice. Both sell tents and camping gear. Of course, you can always find camping gear at Walmart, there are a few large ones on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Rent a boat from Biloxi Boat Rentals to access Deer Island and other islands and also to go fishing or just to cruise the back bay and rivers. We have arranged for our readers to receive a 5% discount from Biloxi Boat Rentals on your next rental. To receive the discount call Dennis at 225-987-1424, and tell him that you read this on RetireCoast.com.
If you want to spend more time on the Mississippi Gulf Coast after your camping trip to Deer Island, consider staying at one of Christies vacation rentals within a short walk to the beach. You can invite the entire family to share the cost of a house, condo, or townhome that can sleep between 6 and 13 or more.
Subscribe to RetireCoast at the top right to receive notice of new articles which are published often. If you fall in love with the Mississippi Gulf Coast as I have, you should read some of our blog articles on the area including this one Why you need to retire on the Mississippi Gulf Coast! or this one 21 reasons why people moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Should you want to look at houses and get an idea of pricing, please check out Logan-Anderson Gulf Coastal Realtors
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