Gulf Islands National Seashore is a National Seashore in Florida, Mississippi. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 14 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Gulf Islands
We matched 14 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Gulf Islands. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Scenic Viewpoints (2)
Beaches (10)
BeachBeachBeachBeachBeachBeachBeachBeachBeachBeachLighthouses (2)
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Gulf Islands the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 62° (ENE) at the June solstice and 117° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 298° (WNW) in June to 243° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 83° in summer but only 36° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6:47 AM | 7:22 AM | 4:36 PM | 5:11 PM | 246° | 10h 24m |
| February | 6:30 AM | 7:03 AM | 5:05 PM | 5:38 PM | 256° | 11h 08m |
| March | 7:00 AM | 7:32 AM | 6:26 PM | 6:58 PM | 268° | 11h 58m |
| April | 6:22 AM | 6:55 AM | 6:45 PM | 7:17 PM | 282° | 12h 54m |
| May | 5:56 AM | 6:30 AM | 7:03 PM | 7:36 PM | 293° | 13h 41m |
| June | 5:48 AM | 6:23 AM | 7:18 PM | 7:53 PM | 298° | 14h 05m |
| July | 5:58 AM | 6:32 AM | 7:18 PM | 7:53 PM | 296° | 13h 55m |
| August | 6:17 AM | 6:49 AM | 6:59 PM | 7:32 PM | 287° | 13h 15m |
| September | 6:34 AM | 7:06 AM | 6:24 PM | 6:56 PM | 274° | 12h 22m |
| October | 6:52 AM | 7:24 AM | 5:47 PM | 6:19 PM | 261° | 11h 28m |
| November | 6:15 AM | 6:50 AM | 4:19 PM | 4:53 PM | 249° | 10h 38m |
| December | 6:39 AM | 7:15 AM | 4:15 PM | 4:51 PM | 243° | 10h 12m |
Computed for the park's reference point (30.3211, -87.2304); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Gulf Islands, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from February through October. June gives the longest window (about 6.7 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 31° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 5 (suburban sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 4:09 AM – 5:09 AM | 1.0 | 19° |
| March | 3:17 AM – 5:37 AM | 2.3 | 28° |
| April | 1:20 AM – 4:50 AM | 3.5 | 31° |
| May | 11:17 PM – 4:17 AM | 5.0 | 31° |
| June | 9:30 PM – 4:10 AM | 6.7 | 31° |
| July | 9:27 PM – 2:37 AM | 5.2 | 31° |
| August | 8:58 PM – 12:38 AM | 3.7 | 31° |
| September | 8:17 PM – 10:37 PM | 2.3 | 28° |
| October | 7:39 PM – 8:39 PM | 1.0 | 19° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
5 Estimated Bortle 5 — Suburban sky. The Milky Way is weak near the horizon and washed out overhead; long exposures pick up a sky glow.
Weather & best time to visit
Weather along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico can change quickly. During the winter temperatures range from 30-60 degrees fahrenheit, rain is less common than other seasons. Snow and freezing temperatures are not common. During the summer temperatures range from 70-100+ degrees fahrenheit. Rain is common during the summer with many thunderstorms. Hurricanes impact the area during the tropical storm season between June and November. Tornadoes can impact the area during the Spring and Fall.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show October as the clearest month (about 39% average cloud cover) and December as the cloudiest (58%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
| Entrance fee | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Entrance - Private Vehicle | $25.00 |
| Entrance - Motorcycle | $20.00 |
| Entrance - Per Person | $15.00 |
Fees as published by the NPS when this page was built — confirm on nps.gov before you go.
Getting there
Gulf Islands National Seashore is a place of myriad riches - blue-green, sparkling waters, magnificent white beaches, and fertile coastal marshes. Its 13 areas include historic forts, shaded picnic areas, trails, and campgrounds. From Cat Island, Mississippi, it stretches eastward 160 miles tot he Okaloosa Area east of For Walton Beach, Florida.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Road Biking
- Boating
- Motorized Boating
- Jet Skiing
- Boat Tour
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Saltwater Fishing
- Food
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Boat Tour
- Hands-On
- Citizen Science