The island life: What Mississippi has to offer may surprise you.

• Most Mississippi islands are now uninhabited.
• One island named for misidentified raccoons.
• One resort island disappeared, but may come back.

Some of Mississippi's islands are well-known and draw thousands of tourists annually, but there are more islands located only a short sail away from the coast to explore, camp and enjoy.

Ship Island

Ship Island is arguably Mississippi's most famous island. Located due south of Biloxi, the island is home to Fort Massachusetts, which according to the National Park Service Gulf Islands National Seashore, was completed in 1886. Its purpose was to protect commerce and serve as a fuel and supply depot for small coal-fueled gunboats and the ocean going fleet.

Now, tourists take the Ship Island Excursions boats to the island where they hike, tour the fort and enjoy miles of beaches. It is also the only Mississippi island with facilities such as showers, bathrooms and picnic areas. It was once two islands, East and West Ship, after Hurricane Camille divided it 1969. However, a restoration project filled the breach earlier this year.

Deer Island

Deer Island is Mississippi's most obvious island. Its western tip is only a few hundred yards from U.S. 90 in Biloxi and is easily seen by motorists. Because of its location, it is easily within reach of almost any type of watercraft including canoes and kayaks. For those without boats, private charters are available.

Most of the island is owned by the state of Mississippi, but some of it remains in private ownership. The island was home to a small number of residents, but has been basically uninhabited since Hurricane Camille destroyed the few homes on the island. Today, it is a popular spot for camping, fishing, exploring and relaxing on its beaches.

Horn Island

Horn Island is located southwest of Pascagoula and while it is less than a mile wide, it is several miles long with stretches of beaches. According to Coastal Mississippi, it also features sand dunes, along with sea oats, tall pines and inland lagoons. It is also a favorite among locals who boat, fish, camp and swim there.

Horn Island was also a haunt of famed artist Walter Anderson. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art describes the island as an Eden for Anderson and it provided inspiration for many of his paintings.

Cat Island

Another popular island, Cat Island, is located south of Gulfport. According to legend, the island received its name because European explorers mistook its population of raccoons for cats. Many raccoons still call the island home. 

The island is broken into federal, private and state ownership. Like all the other islands, access for those without boats is limited to hiring a private charter. It is densely forested with interior marsh areas and has long stretches of beaches. Its surrounding waters are very popular among fishermen. Unlike the other islands, Cat has a small number of homes on it with at least one available for rent.

Petit Bois Island

Closer to Pascagoula, Petit Bois Island is one of Mississippi's lesser known islands. Its name translates from French as Little Woods and there is a small patch of woods on its eastern end. Like Horn Island, Petit Bois Island was designated as a wilderness area by Congress in 1978, and visitors are asked to leave no trace while recreating there.

Round Island

Also south of Pascagoula is Round Island and it's also one of the lesser-known of Mississippi's islands. The small, uninhabited island has slash pines, an interior marsh and a sandy beach and according to Coastal Mississippi, serves as a haven for migratory birds.

The island that is no more

A once popular island is known only through history. The Isle of Caprice, sometimes referred to as Dog Key, was located between Ship and Horn islands. From 1926 until 1931, it was home to a resort where guests could openly drink and gamble. Fire destroyed the resort in 1931 and the island has since washed away.

The disappearance of the island wasn't unique. The island was known to disappear and then reform. 

'We were living like millionaires.':Mississippi man recalls life on Deer Island

Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. Follow Clarion LedgerOutdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter.