GULF BREEZE — Gulf Islands National Seashore working with its partners have determined that West Ship Island facilities and ferries will delay the start of the season until March 24.
The island had originally been scheduled to open on March 15. However, work to repair hurricane damaged facilities has been delayed. National seashore staff, private contractors, and ferry staff are actively working to complete repairs in order to open.
All national seashore areas, including the islands managed by the National Park Service off the Mississippi coast, were closed Oct. 6, 2017, as Hurricane Nate approached the Gulf Coast.
The category-one storm caused moderate to significant damage to piers, boardwalks, and other facilities on the islands and the mainland.
Many of the islands reopened on Oct. 18. However, the damage to facilities at West Ship Island forced an early end to the 2017 season. Normally the island’s facilities would have remained open through October.
Visitors can find ticket prices, schedules, and other information about the West Ship Island ferry can be found at www.msshipisland.com. The ferry will run Wednesday through Sunday through mid-May and then seven days a week through mid-August, returning to Wednesday through Sunday for the remainder of the season.
Learn more about visiting West Ship Island on the park’s website at
https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/west-ship-island.htm.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: West Ship Island facilities, ferries to reopen after hurricane repairs