Introduction
Cat Island is a small barrier island located off the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, approximately 5 miles west of the city of Gulfport. It’s one of several barrier islands lining the Mississippi-Alabama coast. Cat Island got its name from the raccoons that Spanish explorers mistook for cats when they first arrived in the 16th century. Despite its small size of around 1,540 acres, Cat Island has a long and fascinating history.
History
Cat Island was first explored by French settlers in 1699 and named for the raccoons that inhabited the island at the time. The French were the first European settlers to establish a presence on Cat Island. According to the National Park Service, Native American artifacts found on Cat Island date back over 1,500 years, indicating Native Americans used the island long before European settlers arrived. During the early 1800s, Cat Island became a hideout for pirates, bootleggers, and smugglers, with one cove on the southern end still called Smuggler’s Cove today. The island has had many private owners over the centuries, with wealthy businessmen developing the island into a resort destination in the late 1800s. However, the island was abandoned in the early 1900s after a series of devastating hurricanes. Today the island is managed by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and remains largely undeveloped.
Geography
Cat Island is located in Harrison County, Mississippi, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. It sits in the Gulf of Mexico about 6 miles south of Gulfport/Biloxi and 7 miles north of Dauphin Island, Alabama. The island is around 5 miles long and 1.5 miles across at its widest point.
The island has a unique “T-shape”, formed by strong currents colliding in the Gulf of Mexico that cause the western and eastern ends of the island to curve northward. Cat Island has some of the finest sand beaches in the area, with snow-white sand that slopes gently into the warm waters of the Gulf.
Unlike other Mississippi barrier islands, Cat Island has dense forests covering much of its interior. Vegetation includes oak, pine, magnolia, cedar, palmetto, and grassy marshes. The climate is humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild, rainy winters. The average temperature ranges from 55°F in January to 82°F in July.
The topography is low and flat, with the highest point only 10 feet above sea level. The central part of the island is dominated by a brackish marsh and small freshwater ponds. The beaches provide important nesting habitat for sea turtles and shorebirds.
Size and Dimensions
Cat Island is approximately 8 miles long and 1 mile wide at its widest point. The total land area of the island is approximately 1,312 acres or 2 square miles.
According to Wikipedia, the island originally measured around 5 miles long and 0.25 miles wide in 1859. However, the island has expanded over time due to natural accretion. In 2017, the Mississippi Secretary of State oversaw a beach restoration project that added approximately 40 acres to the island’s size.
Today, Cat Island’s beach measures approximately 3.5 miles long and 250 feet wide, providing plenty of sandy coastline for visitors to enjoy.
Notable Locations
Cat Island is home to several notable landmarks and features according to the National Park Service (https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/cat-island.htm). The western end of the island contains the historic Cat Island Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1832 and stands at a height of 150 feet. Though no longer in operation, the lighthouse is open for tours. On the eastern end of the island lies Fort Massachusetts, an abandoned fort built in 1859 during the Third Seminole War. The fort’s ruins can still be seen today.
In addition to these historic sites, Cat Island contains vast stretches of undeveloped beach and dunes. The island’s beaches are frequented by nesting sea turtles and migratory birds. Cat Island is also home to tidal marshes and maritime forests that provide habitat for wildlife.
Population
Cat Island was once home to a thriving small community, with a population of around 100 people in the early 20th century. However, the island has been largely uninhabited since a major hurricane in 1969 destroyed most of the buildings and infrastructure on the island. Today, Cat Island has no permanent residents, though a few caretakers live on the island temporarily to maintain vacation rental properties.
According to the Wikipedia article on Cat Island, the 2010 census recorded only two residents on the island. So currently, the population of Cat Island is essentially zero, with only occasional visitors and temporary caretakers occupying the island.
The lack of permanent residents is largely due to the isolation and difficulty of living on a remote barrier island with no roads, stores, schools, or medical facilities. While Cat Island was once home to a fishing village in the past, the challenges of sustaining a community on the island have led it to be mostly unpopulated in modern times.
Economy
The economy of Cat Island and the surrounding area relies heavily on tourism, recreation, and commercial fishing. According the National Park Service, the Gulf Islands National Seashore generates around $47 million annually for the local Mississippi economy. The seashore receives over 630,000 visitors per year who come for recreational activities like camping, boating, birdwatching, and fishing.
Commercial fishing is another major industry, with shrimp, oysters, crabs, and finfish being caught in the waters around Cat Island. The Lower Mississippi River Commission reports that seafood harvesting in the Mississippi coastal counties generates over $279 million in economic value annually.
Other employers include government agencies like the National Park Service, Coast Guard, and Hancock County government. Some resorts and vacation rentals provide hospitality jobs as well. Overall tourism and recreation make up a significant portion of the economy around Cat Island and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Things to Do
Cat Island is known for its abundant outdoor recreational activities given its natural environment. Some popular things to do on Cat Island include:
- Fishing – The waters around Cat Island are filled with gamefish like tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahi, making it a prime destination for deep sea fishing. Shore fishing is also popular.
- Boating – With over 50 miles of coastline, Cat Island is perfect for boating activities like sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
- Beachgoing – Cat Island has several beautiful sandy beaches like Da Pink Sand Beach that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, and shelling.
- Diving and snorkeling – The coral reefs off Cat Island provide excellent scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities to observe marine life.
- Birdwatching – Over 200 species of birds can be spotted around Cat Island like ospreys, hummingbirds, and flamingos.
- Hiking – Hiking trails like the one leading to Mt. Alvernia provide scenic lookout points across the island.
In addition to independent exploration, guided excursions like fishing charters, kayaking tours, and snorkeling trips are available. These activities provide a chance to experience the natural beauty and biodiversity of Cat Island.
Accessibility
Cat Island is only accessible by private boat, as there is no public ferry service or tours available (Source). If traveling by private vessel, navigational charts should be consulted. The island is located about 9 miles south of Gulfport/Biloxi and 12 miles west of Pass Christian. Given its remote location, accessibility is limited compared to some of the other Mississippi barrier islands. Those with access to a private boat, kayak, or other watercraft can reach Cat Island by launching from nearby coastal towns. Once on the island, there are no developed roads or trails, so exploring is limited to the coastline and interior marsh areas, requiring boots or hiking equipment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cat Island is a unique and ecologically significant barrier island off the coast of Mississippi. With its dense forests and extensive beaches, it provides important habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities for visitors. Though relatively remote and undeveloped compared to other islands, Cat Island has a fascinating history dating back centuries. Its natural beauty and tranquility make it a cherished destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to experience a pristine coastal environment. As real estate pressures mount on the Gulf Coast, the preservation of places like Cat Island remains vitally important. Overall, Cat Island stands out as a true natural gem along the Mississippi shoreline.