Sunset Cruise to Deer Island (1.25 hr)

❌ No smoking or "smoking," no illegal substances, and no glass. No pets. No releasing human or pet remains per EPA Federal Law.

‼️ Tickets are non-refundable within 48 hours of departure except for unsafe weather/sea conditions.

⛔️ Each person counts as 1 passenger regardless of age per USCG rules. Only 6 passengers per boat per USCG license.

⁉️ During weeks of a full moon or new moon we often experience especially low tides in the evening. Passengers should be capable of entering and exiting a pontoon boat along a concrete dock with a potential 2-foot difference with reasonable assistance.

Get out of the city and kick off your shoes.

A Mississippi Gulf Coast sunset is more than great photos.

It's an experience. It's liberating. It's right here.

We travel the same route as the Biloxi Boat Ride.

🌊⚓️🛟
Cap off the day with this laid back tour aboard a small pontoon boat along the Biloxi coastline to the beach.

🌅🩴🏖️
Savor the moment with 30 minutes of island time on your own to explore, swim, picnic, play as the sun sets with a spectacular show.

🌃✨🐬
The 20-minute return trip is a treat of dancing lights and the peacefulness of dusk.

🎒🤸‍♀️📸
Fantastic excursion for all ages!

What and where is Deer Island, Mississippi?

Deer Island is located ¼-½ mile south of East Biloxi and juts into Biloxi Bay southwest of Ocean Springs. If you're staying at Harrah's, Margaritaville, or Beau Rivage, look south! That's Deer Island.

There are no amenities or facilities--just nature. If you're craving a super accessible getaway to disconnect, grab a seat to Deer Island.

What if there's bad weather?

Once you leave the dock, there are no refunds if you return early for any reason. If BILOXI BOAT TOURS or your party cancels due to unfavorable weather/sea conditions, a full refund or reschedule is available prior to leaving the dock.

See FAQs for more details.

WHO

6 human passengers max each boat
- Every person counts regardless of age.
USCG rules, no exceptions.
- All ages are welcome, but at least 1 person in your party must be 18 or older.

BASIC RULES FOR CRUISE (no exceptions)

• All ages are welcome, but at least 1 person in your party must be 18 or older.
• See note about ALCOHOL below.
• NOT PERMITTED: Illegal substances, pets, smoking/vaping, "smoking"
• Captain reserves the right to terminate excursion if passengers engage in unsafe, rude, or illegal behavior.
• Captain will ultimately determine nature of excursion based on weather, sea conditions, and passengers' comfort and safety.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH ALCOHOL??

• You may bring alcohol aboard (21+).
• Glass is prohibited on Deer Island.
• Illegal substances are not allowed...and illegal.

BASE RATE

$28 per passenger
Each person counts as 1 passenger regardless of age.

WHEN

• Departure is approximately ½ hour before sunset.
• See Reservations for specific times.
• Sunset cruise is 1.25 hours (20min each way & 30min island time).
• No refunds or prorating for no-show, late departures, or early returns.
• Arrive 10 minutes early for boarding & safety briefing.

WHERE

• Check-in @ Point Cadet Marina, DOCK D #10
• Discover Deer Island & East Biloxi coastline!

WHAT TO BRING

• Fishing gear not permitted.

• There are no amenities or facilities on Deer Island. Whatever you bring must leave with you including trash.

• Small cooler

• Drinks & snacks
• Camera
• Towels
• Weather appropriate clothing & hat
• Pants, long sleeves, & bug repellant if hiking in woods
  Deer flies, mosquitoes, & gnats are hungry year-round.
• Glass is prohibited on Deer Island.

DOGS?

• Pets are not permitted unless your party books all 6 seats making it a private excursion. Dogs must be leashed and waste collected per MS state law.

WHAT BBT PROVIDES

• USCG Licensed Captain
• USCG approved life vests (all sizes)
  Passengers may bring their own USCG-approved life jackets if they wish.
• All required safety gear

OTHER OPTIONS

PUBLIC
Deer Island Ferry (2 hours)
Deer Island Sunset Cruise (1.25 hours)
After Dark Nature Tour (45 min)
Biloxi Boat Ride (45 min)

PRIVATE
Biloxi Bay Sightseeing Tour (2 hours)

FAQs

Can we go to Ship or Horn Island?
NOPE--these are small pontoon boats not built for traveling in a true, unpredictable gulf environment.

**So where can we go once on the island? **
Explore all over! We will arrive on the west end beach of Deer Island across from the Hard Rock.

Is the water safe for swimming and fishing?
Mississippi's coastal beaches are OPEN!

See MDEQ for more information. Beach advisories can be issued or rescinded any time. Bacteria levels along the beaches are frequently checked.

What does a cruise include?
Prices include captain, boat, fuel, and safety equipment.

Do I need to make a reservation?
BILOXI BOAT TOURS operates by appointment. We can accommodate walk-ups only if our staff happens to be on-site at the time and can coordinate a drop-off/pick-up with our other activities that day.

• Reservations require payment in advance.
• We do not hold boats/captains/seats without payment. Seats are not confirmed until paid.
• If you don't wish to pay until departure time, a seat may not be available.

Where do I check in?
Early arrival is encouraged! Missed departures are non-refundable and may not be transferrable to next excursion. 

Check in @ Point Cadet Marina, Dock D #10.

Expect 10 minutes for paperwork and loading.

Can you do drop-off/pick-up elsewhere?
Per our insurance agreement, we can only operate from/to Point Cadet Marina.

Who can book a Deer Island trip?
All ages are welcome, but at least 1 person in your party must be 18 or older.

What about booze, etc?
- You may bring alcohol aboard (21+).
- Glass is prohibited on Deer Island.
- Illegal substances are not allowed...and illegal.

What kind of boats do you have?
You will be transported on a traditional style pontoon boat.

What can we NOT do?

• Fishing gear is not permitted.
• Illegal substances (including "smoking") and underage drinking are prohibited.
• Towing, tubing, and water skiing are forbidden. 
• Bow-riding is extremely dangerous and illegal.
• Releasing human or pet remains per EPA Federal Law

What do we need to bring with us?
There are no amenities or facilities on Deer Island. Whatever you bring must leave with you including trash.

Who wears a life jacket?
Anyone under 13 years old is required to wear a properly fitted life jacket any time the boat is moving--no exceptions. We have sizes ranging from infant to XXXL that you may borrow for your outing. Passengers are welcome to bring their own life jackets if they are marked as USCG Approved.

Fish, sharks, and other critters?

No big, scary sharks here.

Spot soaring herons, swooping pelicans, chatty gulls, osprey carrying fish, even migrating geese and monarch butterflies depending upon the time of year. Catch minnows dancing and mullet jumping.

Along the beaches you'll find many cool shells and bones, maybe even a horseshoe crab shell. Please don't take away the hermit crabs from their native environments! They will not survive.

During the summer, a variety of jellyfish are present in the water, and they also wash up onto the beach. Scan the water and sand for them. The bigger jellyfish with flowy tentacles have a very painful sting.

Look out for everyone's favorite. Please do not crowd or chase the dolphins! 

Everywhere you look there will be something interesting whether it's in the water, on the land, or in the sky!

Can we have a memorial service to scatter ashes on the water? Can we release balloons?
​
There are federal laws that govern memorials at sea. Releasing human or pet remains is not within our scope of operations. Please refer to EPA Regulations to plan your service legally and inquire with offshore fishing charter guides.
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Balloons are prohibited on our boats. They are easily lost in the wind and are considered littering. Balloons do not stay in the air forever and come back down as trash. Sea turtles often confuse deflated balloons for jellyfish and become injured by eating them.

Read all FAQs here.