Sailing to Mississippi barrier islands???

[doehunter]

I'm starting to dream of vacation time and getting away. I'm looking for ideas for a week long trip within a day or two drive of Houston Tx. Probably 1st week of October, after the summer heat wave has let up.
Last year I just went to East Galveston Bay and had a good time, but I'd like to branch out and go somewhere new.

The Texas coast has lots of bay sailing but seems devoid of offshore sailing opportunities for our smallish sailboats. (I don't want to be too far from cover) I was looking at a map and I see there are numerous islands just a few miles off the coast of Louisiana, Mississippi,Alabama, Florida.
It seems like the Islands would help keep the wave action to a tolerable level for a 26 ft Mac?

I'm kinda thinking I would launch in the Pascagoula or Ocean Springs areas, and sail to Horn Island, and then just play it by ear.
I googled sailing to Horn Island and didn't come up with much. I saw a U Tube video but that's about it. I did see where fishing charters go there and the water looks nice in the pics. There's mention of kayakers going there and camping.
That island is maybe 8 miles off shore, 12 miles long and not quite a mile wide and runs east/west. It should offer protected water from either a north or south wind,
which in October, I would probably see both.

Has anyone here ever been there? How was it? Good fishing?
Jim

 

[Forrest15112]

I have never been there, but have planned to since I've owned my boat. From what i've heard, Horn is the most interesting of the Ms islands. I have been to Ship Island but mostly just remember no shade and HOT. Horn supposedly has more trees and a wide variety of cactus normally found in Mexico. I have read that migrating birds are why the cactus (cacti?) are there.
There was a local artist, Walter Anderson who would row out to Horn Island and stay there for weeks. His paintings were inspired by the scenes and wildlife of the area and especially Horn Island. Be sure to visit the museum in Ocean Springs.
I have an older gulf coast cruising guide that mentioned a deep area, near shore on the north side where you could approach, but that wouldn't be an issue with a water ballasted boat. I'm sure some of that changed since Katrina.

 

[Robspan]

I used to cruise through the Mississippi Sound on the way back from Florida every year. I came though on my cousin's boat last fall.

Horn Island is absolutely beautiful, if a little barren since Katrina. The Horseshoe is the place we used to anchor. It's deep close to shore and nearby there is a trail that goes by the ranger station that leads to the Gulf. It's not protected from the north.

Cat Island is partially privately owned and that part is posted. The water is shallower but for our boats that probably wouldn't be a problem.

Ship Island is more commercial. Tour boats bring people there for a day's excursion to the beach, and to visit the old fort there. The Park Service gives tours.

The closest decent marina to Horn Island is Point Cadet in the Biloxi harbor. My cousin stayed at the Biloxi Seafood Museum docks to the west of Point Cadet. Pascagoula is much more commercial and I've never been there. The Gulfport yacht harbor just reopened after Katrina and is supposed to be very nice.

If I were going to trailer my boat in that direction, I'd keep going to Pensacola. Big Lagoon and Santa Rosa Sound are smaller, better protected and the water is clearer. There are lots more protected anchorages.

Jim, is your email address still the same as it was a year or so ago? A few years ago, I wrote a "guide" for the local cruising group here on Galveston Bay. It was about the waters between New Orleans and Destin, and included the Mississippi Sound. It's a little dated but I can send that to you if you want.

 

[doehunter]

I used to cruise through the Mississippi Sound on the way back from Florida every year. I came though on my cousin's boat last fall.

Horn Island is absolutely beautiful, if a little barren since Katrina. The Horseshoe is the place we used to anchor. It's deep close to shore and nearby there is a trail that goes by the ranger station that leads to the Gulf. It's not protected from the north.

Cat Island is partially privately owned and that part is posted. The water is shallower but for our boats that probably wouldn't be a problem.

Ship Island is more commercial. Tour boats bring people there for a day's excursion to the beach, and to visit the old fort there. The Park Service gives tours.

The closest decent marina to Horn Island is Point Cadet in the Biloxi harbor. My cousin stayed at the Biloxi Seafood Museum docks to the west of Point Cadet. Pascagoula is much more commercial and I've never been there. The Gulfport yacht harbor just reopened after Katrina and is supposed to be very nice.

If I were going to trailer my boat in that direction, I'd keep going to Pensacola. Big Lagoon and Santa Rosa Sound are smaller, better protected and the water is clearer. There are lots more protected anchorages.

Jim, is your email address still the same as it was a year or so ago? A few years ago, I wrote a "guide" for the local cruising group here on Galveston Bay. It was about the waters between New Orleans and Destin, and included the Mississippi Sound. It's a little dated but I can send that to you if you want.

Yep,
Same email.
I haven't laid any solid plans, I'm just in the thinking stage, but so far the general area looks like a cool place to go.