2020 Map of Ship Island

About this map

Ship Island stands as a narrow barrier between the Mississippi Sound and the open Gulf of Mexico, serving as a critical navigation marker for the region. This 2020 survey details the island's shifting topography within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, showing the distinct separation between West Head and the eastern portion terminated by Northwest Bluff. Navigation is the central theme of this coastal area, defined by the Gulfport Channel and the Ship Island Pass. The presence of a water-based Ferry route into Ship Island Harbor highlights the area's role as a recreational destination. Beneath the waterline, a complex network of shoals and channels like Walker Shoal, Loggerhead Shoal, and Middle Ground reveals the submarine landscape that has dictated maritime traffic for centuries along the Mississippi coast.