I am sailing from New Orleans to Destin and back the last two weeks of May. If you were me, what would you do and see? Here is the deal, I'm hoping hook my wife on coastal cruising. Last year we sailed as far as Orange Beach however she has not caught the bug. What would you suggest to create an unforgettable trip? What route, where to drop anchor, where to get a slip, what to see. Thanks
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Beau Rivage
You can get a slip at the Beau Rivage for the night as you go through Biloxi. If I remember correctly though it was cheaper to get a room than the slip. I'd rather anchor out at Ship Island but what do I know? From the Gulfport Harbor you can walk to the Grand Casino and from the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor it is a quick walk to all of the casinos on Casino Row. The Biloxi Yacht Club's site has some good info on what is available if you pull into Biloxi.
You can get a slip at the Beau Rivage for the night as you go through Biloxi. If I remember correctly though it was cheaper to get a room than the slip. I'd rather anchor out at Ship Island but what do I know? From the Gulfport Harbor you can walk to the Grand Casino and from the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor it is a quick walk to all of the casinos on Casino Row. The Biloxi Yacht Club's site has some good info on what is available if you pull into Biloxi.
Grand Hotel Pt. Clear
We went to the Grand Hotel in Pt. Clear Alabama on Mobile Bay which is not far out of the way from N.O. to Destin and really worth it. We paid $50 per night which included use of the indoor pool and shower/changing rooms and were considered guests of the Hotel which would enable us to use the shuttle into Fairhope. Golf is accros the street, high tea in the afternoon, fine dining and we had a fireworks show after dinner. We are looking to make this trip probably at the end of June.
We went to the Grand Hotel in Pt. Clear Alabama on Mobile Bay which is not far out of the way from N.O. to Destin and really worth it. We paid $50 per night which included use of the indoor pool and shower/changing rooms and were considered guests of the Hotel which would enable us to use the shuttle into Fairhope. Golf is accros the street, high tea in the afternoon, fine dining and we had a fireworks show after dinner. We are looking to make this trip probably at the end of June.
All of the replies are good.
I make the trip several times a year. As of 4 weeks ago there are still a lot of services out of business due to Ivan. You probably know MS well, so I'll address AL and FL. Stan is harbormaster at The Mariott Grand, up Mobile Bay. He and his wife are sailboat live-a-boards at another marina. Good people! Bayou Ingram (Orange Beach), just before Pirates Cove is a really nice quiet anchorage. Pirates Cove just has the kitchen and bar left and I am told will not rebuild. Bear Point at Orange Beach still has sunken boats in the slips, but you can get fuel there. You do not mention your mast height - because you'll be forced outside with more than 50' at Pensacola Bay. On the inside are many places to tuck into on the ICW. And, once again if your less than 50', I recommend The Village on the Back Bay at San Destin. Call for Capt Ron the harbormaster on 16. They have re-created the French Quarter there. Otherwise you will have to settle for the anchorage at Destin, outside the 98 bridge. Hope your wife likes coastal cruising! You may wish to alternate times on the hook and hotel overnights. Oh, I recommend Claiborne S. Young's guide to cruising the Gulf Coast.
I make the trip several times a year. As of 4 weeks ago there are still a lot of services out of business due to Ivan. You probably know MS well, so I'll address AL and FL. Stan is harbormaster at The Mariott Grand, up Mobile Bay. He and his wife are sailboat live-a-boards at another marina. Good people! Bayou Ingram (Orange Beach), just before Pirates Cove is a really nice quiet anchorage. Pirates Cove just has the kitchen and bar left and I am told will not rebuild. Bear Point at Orange Beach still has sunken boats in the slips, but you can get fuel there. You do not mention your mast height - because you'll be forced outside with more than 50' at Pensacola Bay. On the inside are many places to tuck into on the ICW. And, once again if your less than 50', I recommend The Village on the Back Bay at San Destin. Call for Capt Ron the harbormaster on 16. They have re-created the French Quarter there. Otherwise you will have to settle for the anchorage at Destin, outside the 98 bridge. Hope your wife likes coastal cruising! You may wish to alternate times on the hook and hotel overnights. Oh, I recommend Claiborne S. Young's guide to cruising the Gulf Coast.
Point Cadet Marina
In Biloxi you can get a slip at Point Cadet Marina which is next to the Isle of Capri Casino (about a half mile from Beau Rivage).
In Biloxi you can get a slip at Point Cadet Marina which is next to the Isle of Capri Casino (about a half mile from Beau Rivage).
City Docks and Rivage Slots
A friend told me (read hear-say has it) that you can tie up to the Biloxi city docks (cheap), walk to the Beau Rivage, gamble and drink free, have a nice meal, gamble [whats left] and get more free drinks (hic!) and "stumble" back to the boat, sleep it off and sail home. Again, never done it myself and of course I would never touch anything so vile as rum (especially Mount Gay) or be so wanton as to gamble!
A friend told me (read hear-say has it) that you can tie up to the Biloxi city docks (cheap), walk to the Beau Rivage, gamble and drink free, have a nice meal, gamble [whats left] and get more free drinks (hic!) and "stumble" back to the boat, sleep it off and sail home. Again, never done it myself and of course I would never touch anything so vile as rum (especially Mount Gay) or be so wanton as to gamble!
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