This Biloxi Shrimp Boat Lets Kids Hold The Crabs, Squid, And Shrimp Pulled Up In The Net
We only meant to grab a quick snack by the water, but a small boat tied up near the beach kept pulling our eyes back. A few hours later, we were standing on its deck in Mississippi, waiting to see what a shrimp net would drag out of the bay.
Squid, crabs, tiny fish, and a pile of wiggling shrimp turned a simple ride into a floating science class. If you have ever wondered where your shrimp dinner really comes from, this short trip gives you the answer up close.
A Working Boat Tour on Beach Boulevard
Right along Beach Boulevard, at 693 Beach Blvd in Biloxi, sits the dock for one of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s most hands-on family outings. The company runs shrimping tours that take guests onto the water aboard a real shrimp boat.
Instead of just looking at the sea, you get to see what lives under it.
The main tour is called the Living Marine Adventure. It lasts around 70 minutes and stays in calm, protected waters between Deer Island and the Biloxi shoreline.
That sheltered route keeps the ride smooth, which is great news for little ones and anyone who worries about getting seasick.
During the trip, the crew lowers a commercial shrimping net, drags it for a while, and then hauls it back aboard. Whatever comes up gets sorted, named, and explained by the captain and guide.
Shrimp are the stars, but plenty of surprise guests usually tag along.
Families make up a big part of the passenger list, especially in summer. Still, plenty of adults ride without children and have just as much fun.
The setup works for nearly any age, from toddlers on a parent’s lap to grandparents who grew up eating Gulf seafood.
Roots of the Seafood Capital
Long before casinos lit up the shoreline, Biloxi earned a much saltier nickname. By the late 1800s, people called it the Seafood Capital of the World.
Busy fleets crowded the harbor, and the shrimp trawl changed how fast crews could fill their boats.
Shrimping here goes back to the early 1800s. French immigrants brought fishing skills from home, and later, Vietnamese families added their own traditional methods.
Together, these groups helped build an industry that still feeds the local economy today.
Why does that matter on a short boat ride? Because the tour is really a living history lesson.
The crew talks about the area’s past and the many sides of the fishing business around Biloxi, often mixing in personal stories from their own time on the water.
Some boats used for these educational trips have deep roots too. The Sailfish, for example, has been working since the mid-1900s, carrying decades of Gulf Coast heritage in its hull.
So while kids are busy poking at crabs, adults can soak up the backstory. It is hard to look at a plate of fried shrimp the same way after hearing how many generations of families depended on that catch.
Calm Water Between Deer Island and Shore
Picture a wide, quiet stretch of water with a green island on one side and a city skyline on the other. That is the setting for the tour.
The boat cruises the sheltered channel between Deer Island and the Biloxi shore.
Some guests expect a trip far out into the open Gulf, so a heads-up helps. The route stays fairly close to land, sometimes within about half a mile of the pier.
In exchange, the water is usually gentle and the ride feels relaxed rather than rocky.
Views are a quiet bonus. Passengers often mention enjoying the scenery of Biloxi while they learn, and some routes pass along the lane near the casinos.
On sunny days, the light bouncing off the water makes the whole bay sparkle.
Weather can shift the mood, of course. Cooler months bring breezy, chilly air, but the boat is covered, which helps keep riders warmer and shaded from rain or harsh sun.
For families with small children, staying near shore is actually a perk. Shorter distances mean less time just motoring and more time focused on the net, the wildlife, and the people explaining it all.
Dropping the Net and Hauling It Home
Splash. The heavy net slips off the back of the boat and spreads out under the water, and suddenly everyone leans toward the rail.
Watching it go in is half the excitement.
Before it drops, the crew explains how the gear works. They show how the net opens wide to sweep up whatever swims in its path, and why shrimpers have relied on this design for so long.
Even adults who have eaten shrimp their whole lives usually learn something new.
The drag can last a few minutes or closer to half an hour, depending on the trip. Then comes the big moment, when the crew winches the net back up and dumps the haul onto a sorting table.
Nobody knows exactly what will tumble out.
Results vary, and that is part of the honesty of real shrimping. Some days bring a heaping pile, while other days produce only a modest catch.
Visitors note that even on lighter days, the explanations about the process kept the trip interesting.
Seagulls know the routine well. As soon as the net rises, they swoop in close, hoping for leftovers, adding noisy energy to the scene.
What Turns Up in the Catch
Blue crabs, flounder, stingrays, squid, and pufferfish. That list reads like an aquarium menu, yet all of them can appear in a single haul from Biloxi’s waters.
Shrimp take center stage, of course, and the baby ones charm almost everyone. Past catches have also included catfish, trout with surprisingly sharp teeth, oysterfish, and two kinds of jellyfish.
Every so often, a small shark even slides out of the net, earning gasps from the deck.
The captain identifies each creature and talks about its role in the Gulf ecosystem. You learn which animals hide in the mud, which ones hunt, and how they all connect.
Plenty of guests walk away knowing fish names they had never heard before.
No two trips look exactly alike. Season, tides, and plain luck all shape the result, so one morning might bring squid galore while the afternoon run turns up crabs instead.
That unpredictability keeps people talking long after the boat docks. Kids especially love comparing notes about the strangest thing they saw.
Was it the puffed-up pufferfish, the flat flounder, or that toothy trout? Everyone seems to have a different favorite.
Oysters, Shrimp Life, and Gulf Lessons
Here is a fun surprise: many guests step off the boat talking about oysters, not just shrimp. The tour covers the oyster life cycle and the local oyster restoration project, a big deal for Gulf Coast waters.
Some trips include a look at oyster sorting, giving passengers a peek at how these shellfish are handled. The crew explains why healthy oyster reefs matter for clean water and for the many creatures that shelter among them.
Shrimp biology gets plenty of airtime as well. You will hear how shrimp grow, where they live, and how the shrimping industry works from boat to market.
The talk is detailed but easy to follow, even for younger listeners.
Topics often widen beyond the net. Crew members share local history, insight on the fishing economy, and even tips about other things to do around town.
It feels more like chatting with neighbors than sitting through a lecture.
One detail people appreciate is that the lesson adjusts to the crowd. When lots of kids are aboard in summer, the crew keeps things playful.
On adult-heavy fall trips, the conversation goes deeper into industry details and ecology.
Dolphins, Gulls, and Other Surprise Guests
A dark fin breaks the surface behind the boat, and the whole deck erupts. Dolphins show up often enough that they are one of the most talked-about parts of the trip.
They seem to follow the net, curious about the easy meal stirred up in the water. Guests have spotted them trailing the stern right as the catch is pulled in.
Nothing is guaranteed in nature, but the odds feel pretty good.
Seagulls are an almost certain sight. Flocks circle and dive around the boat, especially once the net comes up, turning the moment into a lively, squawking show.
Kids love watching the birds snatch scraps out of the air.
Every once in a while, something truly unexpected appears. One trip spotted an alligator swimming a safe distance from the boat, which made for quite a story back on land.
These wildlife moments add a layer that a classroom never could. Seeing animals living freely around a working boat shows how connected the Gulf ecosystem really is.
Shrimp, fish, birds, and dolphins all share the same water, and the tour puts you right in the middle of it.
The Crew Behind the Experience
Ask passengers what made their trip special, and the answer usually lands on the people running it. Knowledgeable staff come up again and again when guests describe their time aboard.
Typically, a captain and a guide or first mate handle each tour. They are known for being personable, funny, and genuinely passionate about shrimping.
That enthusiasm rubs off, and people often admit they learned more than they expected.
Questions are welcome, even the silly ones. Visitors describe the crew as patient about answering everything, from how nets work to what a strange fish eats.
Solo travelers and all-adult groups say they felt just as engaged as families with children.
Not every moment pleases everyone. A few riders have mentioned they would prefer a bit more quiet or some music between talks, since the narration runs through much of the trip.
If you love constant information, though, the steady commentary is a plus.
The overall feel is warm and relaxed. It is the kind of outing where you leave knowing the crew’s stories, a handful of new facts, and maybe a few fishing jokes you will retell at dinner that night.
Hours, Tickets, and Planning Tips
Good news for flexible planners: tours run seven days a week, from 9 AM to 5 PM. That wide window makes it easy to squeeze a trip between beach time and lunch.
Prices are friendly on the wallet. Past guests have mentioned paying around $30, and many describe the rates as reasonable for what you get.
Check the official website for current pricing and tour times before you go.
Booking online is simple, and same-week reservations often work. Travelers have booked the night before or even last minute and still found open seats, especially in spring.
Summer brings more families, so reserving ahead during peak season is a smart move.
Location is another easy win. The dock sits at 693 Beach Blvd, and some visitors staying in nearby hotels simply walk over.
Casino guests can slip away for a quick break from the gaming floor.
Pack for the weather. Sunscreen and hats help on bright days, while a light jacket comes in handy during cooler months when the breeze picks up.
The covered deck offers shade, but sunglasses still make the glare off the water easier to handle.
Why the Net Is Worth Watching
Sometimes the simplest outings stick with you the longest. A short ride, a dropped net, and a pile of wiggling sea life end up creating memories families talk about for years.
What sets this trip apart is the mix. You get a relaxing boat ride, real hands-on learning, a slice of Mississippi history, and a decent chance of spotting dolphins, all in a little over an hour.
Few activities pack that much into such a short time.
Expectations matter, though. This is not a deep-sea voyage, and the catch changes from day to day.
Travelers who come ready to learn and enjoy the bay tend to have the best time, whatever ends up in the net.
It suits a broad crowd. Curious kids, grandparents who love the coast, couples looking for something different, and even solo explorers have all found something to enjoy aboard.
When you are planning a stop along the Gulf Coast, consider setting aside a morning or afternoon for this one. Then, next time shrimp lands on your plate, you will know exactly where it came from and the hard work behind it.