The Beach Rich Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501

"I love our Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches. They are bright white and regularly maintained for trash by the City/County Govts. Many locals that walk the beach bring small bags to clear the trash sadly left by some. I regularly walk a couple beach miles daily (except when there's a cold wind-brrrr:) and I have always felt safe. There is a very nice concrete walking and bike path closer to the road with occasional benches for rest. Free parking all along the beach. I prefer the pull offs with medians between the road and parking. Park directly on the roadside if you'd prefer, just pay attention to cars going by at 45 MPH or more. The beaches offer easy to find spots for your visit. There are some popular spots that get a bit crowded (they have vendors doing rentals) and such. Otherwise, there are miles of your own personal beach available. Now, the not so good news. Our Gulf water isn't generally clear. The barrier islands keep a good portion of the Mississippi River water in making for sometimes murky water. It's fairly shallow out about 100 yards, so you can walk out quite a way (posts identify the safe limit). If you enjoy wide open, beautiful beaches, this is the place. If you want clear water and crowded beaches, head on to Alabama or Florida:) I like our wide open beaches!!"

"Took my 2 leashed dogs down to the beach and was met by beach patrol. Nothing but service animals allowed. Boo booo"

"We packed a lunch sunscreen towels chairs and toys and played all day. We went to Biloxi but it was to many people so we came out to Pass Christian. And had a blast. We also went out to Long Beach by USM. Just to us the metal detector."

"Had the beach area pretty much to myself. Almost completely deserted. Loved that part. Didn't like the trash all in the water and dirty looking Beach part. People litter all over the place here. Terrible. But they have clean up tractors out in the morning to clean up the beach. Nice white soft sugar sand. But ugly pipes coming out of the sand every few hundred feet. Eye sores. While walking the beach shore, I saw a stingray. A dead baby shark, lots of jellyfish, crabs, hermit crabs, and pikes. Plenty of shells to find out there if you're a shell hunter. Just be careful to look closely inside the pretty shells for hermit crabs. That's where they live."

"I enjoy bike rides along the beach here. You can bike along the beach for miles in either direction. Folks come to the beach to lay in the sand, on blankets, chairs, rent umbrellas, water trikes and jet skis. Fisherman catch flounder and other fish off shore and and wading in the water of the sound. A bus rides along the beach and stops at a number of sunny sections of the beach as well as the casinos, restaurants and other fun spots."