What It Is

The world’s largest man-made beach, spanning 26 miles along the Mississippi Coast.

Where It Is

Biloxi, Mississippi

When We Went

June 2022

What We Did

We parked in a lot just off of Beach Boulevard (U.S. Hwy 90), which runs parallel with the coast, and took a short walk along the beach from around Porter Avenue to Seal Avenue (about 0.3 of a mile).  We all kicked off our shoes and walked in the shallow waves, but we did not venture deeper into the water or attempt to swim.

We also admired, from a distance, Biloxi Lighthouse.  Built in 1848, it was one of the first cast-iron structures built in the South.  It is also believed to be the only lighthouse located in the middle of a major highway (Highway 90).  The lighthouse, which survived Hurricane Katrina, is open for tours.

Although we only strolled along the water’s edge, visitors can rent jet skis, paddle boards, and aqua cycles further down the beach.

How Much We Spent

Nothing.  Parking and access to the beach were free.

How Much Time We Spent There

Less than an hour.  We had just come from a fantastic shrimping boat tour, and we were eager to eat an early dinner and head to the hotel.

What We Liked

The beach was very easy to get to and was located just half a mile from our hotel.  If you’re in the city and need a quick beach fix, this is the ideal scenario.

Barrier islands in the gulf keep the water along Biloxi Beach calm, which could be appealing for families with younger children or for people who don’t like rough, ocean waves.

What We Didn't Like

It wasn’t the cleanest beach we’d ever visited.  We saw a few dead fish floating in the surf, which was murky and brown.  Also, Mississippi marketing likes to refer to Biloxi Beach as a “white sand beach” (the City of Biloxi goes so far as to call it “sugar white”), but it looked like a regular, beige beach to us.

Was it worth it? 

If you’re going to be in Biloxi anyway, then yes.  You don’t have to get wet to enjoy looking out at the water and cooling off with a nice breeze.  

However, the color of the water was unappealing, the potential for unhealthy bacteria levels was unsettling, and the setting in general—with city streets, casinos, and highrises surrounding the beach—detracted from the overall experience (in all fairness, we had spent time on beautiful Santa Rosa Island and Opal Beach in Pensacola, Florida, just the day before: how could Biloxi compete?).  Still, based on our limited experience, I would not visit Biloxi purely for the beach. 

If you do go, remember to leave your dogs at home.  Dogs are prohibited on Biloxi Beach and other beaches in Harrison County.

Also, make note of the weather prior to your visit.  The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, through its Beach Monitoring Program, advises visitors to stay out of the water for the first 24 hours after a heavy rainfall.  Stormwater runoff, boating waste, sewer overflows, wildlife, and “other human activities” sometimes leave the water with unhealthy levels of bacteria, and the beach’s shallow, calm waters make it difficult to clear out the contamination quickly.  Even when the state issues a water quality advisory (the water is considered too unsafe for humans) the beaches themselves may still be open.  Know what you’re getting into before you go by visiting https://beaches.mdeq.ms.gov/.

For more information about Biloxi Beach, visit https://visitmississippi.org/things-to-do/beaches/biloxi-beach/.

For  more information about Biloxi Lighthouse, visit https://visitmississippi.org/things-to-do/attractions/biloxi-lighthouse/.

Was It Worth It?
Biloxi Beach

​Posted June 17, 2026, by Janet Wolfe