BILOXI vs Florida Panhandle (Gulfport, Lake: condos, motels, homes)

[Tiger Beer]

What are pros and cons of BILOXI versus the cities in the Florida Panhandle (Pensacola, Panama City, or Walton Beach)?

[jessysunshine]

That is a good question. I'd like to know, too.

[bornjacksonian]

The difference between the panhandle cities and biloxi first is the color of the water. The water is blue and clearer in Pensacola vs. Biloxi (dark brown and less waves). If you go out about 7 miles in the water to Ship Island, MS that water is crystal clear. Don't get me wrong Biloxi is a beautiful city but Hurricane Katrina did major damage there. It's alot of rebuilding taking place now adding more condos and high rises to their city. Biloxi also have more casinos then anywhere else in the state. I attached pics showing how the city is doing now. Go visit, you will enjoy yourself!

[2HHI]

Depends on what you are going for. If all your interested in is sitting on a beach and looking at crystal clear blue green water...then by all means go to FLA. In my opinion, they offer very little else. Even though Biloxi's water is brown, I wouldnt swim in it anymore than FLA's water...I like my water chlorinaded and clean, ie: a pool. Besides, Biloxi's water and beach is just as good to walk on and site see...especially the sunsets. From afar...it looks just fine.
Now..if your looking for action, Biloxi wins hands down. Sooo much more to do than anywhere on the FLA panhandle...IMO. World Class Entertainment, Resorts, Coliseum, History, Cuisine, Golf Courses, combined with the semi tropical gulf....to me, makes the MS Coast hard to beat anywhere in the USA considering the venues offered.

[Coolhand68]

Biloxi is at the mouth of the Mississippi, so all that drudge that flows down the river exits at Biloxi, that's why the water is brown. Like another poster said, if you want some nightlife and casino's go to Biloxi, if you want better beaches for swimming go to Florida.

[GulfShorz]

Actually the Mississippi does not exit near Biloxi. The mouth of the Mississippi is almost 100 miles south of New Orleans and dumps into deep Gulf water at the continental shelf. (Only the overflow when in flood times some of the Mississippi is diverted through Lake Ponchartrain and by Biloxi) The beach at Biloxi is on the Mississippi Sound, which is shallow and not the open Gulf of Mexico. The open Gulf is at the barrier Islands 10-12 miles offshore, sort of similar to the N. Flordia beaches which are also mostly barrier type beaches in the same chain. Except still the Florida beach water is clearer as the current gets in closer and deeper water is closer. If you went into the bays in the Florida coast the water is similar to Biloxi Gulfport.

The Mississippi coast overall is more about people living there, not as much beach motels, high rise condos, and miles of minature golf courses. Slower pace and generally less tourists except for the casino areas. Costs are generally lower.

[Tiger Beer]

Gives me more interest in Biloxi! Thanks for the info!

[mccarley]

Originally Posted by GulfShorz

(Only the overflow when in flood times some of the Mississippi is diverted through Lake Ponchartrain and by Biloxi) .

????

[Jammie]

Wow, those pics are beautiful!!! I'm just amazed that those pics are of Gulfport. I had no idea that they have rebuilt in this amount of time. Just gorgeous!

[Tama]

The casinos have rebuilt. But the devastation is still there for all to see. Homes and businesses have not been replaced in large part. Miles of steps to nowhere on Hwy 90. But each time I go I see improvement.