It’s been 22 years since the Ship Island ferry offered regular service from Biloxi, but the boat is back.
Beginning Saturday, the Capt. Pete, a 305-passenger vessel, will make a daily 60-minute trip from Margaritaville leaving the dock at 10 a.m. and departing from Ship Island for the return trip at 3:30 p.m. through Aug. 12, when trips will run Wednesday through Sunday.
This afternoon, Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich along with other city officials, local leaders and guests boarded the Capt. Pete for a VIP Cruise to Ship Island to mark the return of the excursions from Biloxi.
“This is an exciting day,” Gilich said. “This is special to me. I worked on the Pan American Clipper as a deckhand from the 9th grade thorough college. I am glad to see service running again in Biloxi.”
Also on the water, is the paddlewheeler Betsy Ann offering dinner cruises from the Point Cadet Marina most Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, or sunset eco-tours most Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The boat features a covered open-air upper deck and the main deck is air-conditioned. The Betsy Ann can accommodate 150 passengers.
And of course, there’s the iconic Sailfish, which offers a 70-minute trip offering a “peek into how the journey begins for a shrimp and how it ends up on your plate.” The vessel sails daily from the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. through Aug. 6 when trips will run daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Elsewhere this weekend: The Biloxi Shuckers return to MGM Park for a 10-game homestand, Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art hosts “Perk Up Saturdays”, Bill Engvall and Jonny Lang will each be at the IP, and Blue October will perform at the Hard Rock.
See images from today’s excursion
See more about Ship Island Excursions
See more about the Betsy Ann
See more about the Sailfish
See a complete weekend lineup
News and notes: Groundbreaking, blood drive
Keesler gate groundbreaking: This morning local, state and federal officials joined Keesler Air Force Base leaders to formally break ground on Phase 1 of a new main entry gate at Division Street and Forrest Avenue. To see images from the event, click here.
Blood Drive: The American Red Cross and the City of Biloxi are teaming up for a two-day community blood drive taking place Tuesday at the Dr. Frank G. Gruich Sr. Community Center and Wednesday at the Woolmarket City Center. Both events are from noon to 5 p.m. To see the flyer, click here.
