Gulf Islands

The Gulf Islands is located in Pensacola, Florida, and accounts for eighty percent of the local barrier islands seashore. Most are well visited and cover some one hundred and sixty miles of beautiful landscapes from the Mississippi River to the eastern most tip of the state.

The islands offer visitors incredible scenery. Many have beaches with snow-white sands and crystal clear blue waters. Local marshes along the coast are very fertile and sit alongside trails through dense forests. In fact, there are many attractions on the islands, including campgrounds, nature type trails, picnic spots and forts.

Regardless of what time of year visitors choose to go, staying for part of a day, or even a week or more, the islands are great for hiking and exploration. Activities abound, including camping, boating, wildlife watching, beach combing, hiking, fishing, snorkelling, cycling and swimming. A number of visitor centers provide access to miles of biking and hiking trails. There are numerous fishing piers, some barely big enough for one person. Numerous pavilions and tours make it a great place to spend an entire summer.

The Gulf Islands are extremely cheap to visit, though some of their attractions may have higher admission costs. Each place has its own hours and permits are needed for vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles. Annual passes are available to anyone for a small fee.