GULFPORT VACATION HOMES
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FAQ: River Fun? Fishing? Alligators? Boat Rentals? Charter Fishing? and more!
Since our vacation rentals sit right on a river that flows into the Gulf of Mexico, we get lots of questions about the waterways. I hope this message answers most of yours—but if not, just let me know! I’ll do my best to get you the info and may even add it to this message to help future guests.
MY #1 RECOMMENDATION:
Would be with Captain Ron, 228.860.4308. In a past life he was with one of the local Marine patrols that worked the Back Bay and local rivers, including the Biloxi River. I'm thinking it was the Harrison County Sheriff's Department. He left law enforcement to pursue his true love, Charter Fishing... just as well, he was always having to turn a blind eye to some minor infraction one of us River Folk was committing. 😎
See (#5) link below for his website and to book a charter fishing trip.
Oh! you should tell Captain Ron, Grady of the Great Escape River House on the Biloxi River sent you. He's familiar with that house & associates us with it. Captain Ron used to actually live on the Biloxi River and has multiple Charter fishing boats. I'm not sure mentioning Grady will get you a discount, but I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't get you some special treatment and maybe a story or two. That said, neither Grady or I have gone on a Charter Fishing Trip (with anyone) and would appreciate, if you do choose to book with Captain Ron, please give us your feedback. In the past, we've had several past guests that have Charter fished with Captain Ron and the feedback has always been 5 stars.
CHARTER FISHING FOR LARGER GROUPS:
I can also recommend: Captain Jay Trochesset. Check out Jay's reviews, website, availability and rates links below (#6 & #7).
My recommendation of Jay Trochesset is based on I've heard he does trips for groups up to 45 people. His # is: 228-388-2209. My very good friend Jimmy Dale Pitts (who has since passed away) recommended that I refer guests to Jay. Jimmy Dale Pitts had an extensive career on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and before retiring was Vice-President of our International Airport. My friend used to host lots of offshore deep sea fishing trips and swears by Jay. Women also love his charters; I hear the Silver Dollar charter boat offers at least one air conditioned room and a private bathroom on board. A true luxury on a fishing trip.
Often when asked about fishing a follow-up question is about Alligators. In anticipation of Gator questions, let me say, we have a healthy river system that abounds with wildlife. I've been on the Biloxi River since 1996 and have seen live alligators all of two times. In both instances, the alligator was less than 5 feet long.
Every once in a while one of my retired neighbors will email that they saw one and by the time they got the camera it was gone. These rare sights are treated more the way folks might treat a unicorn sighting. "Wow, that was cool! Can you believe we saw that?"
Attached is a very detailed country wide report of alligator interaction with humans.
There are a lot of rumors and opinions on how dangerous alligators are. There are over 3 million of them in the United States today. Almost 40,000 in Mississippi.
The Alligator link (#8) will bring you to a report that has become the Go To document for information on Gator vs human encounters in the USA. Over 50% of all Gator attacks happen while someone is trying to capture or harm the Gator. The report breaks down every incident, prior to its publication, giving answers to probably more questions than you'd think to ask. One thing is very clear:
Which is not to say someday there won't be a misbehaving Gator or that If I was swimming and saw one in the water, I'd continue to stay in the water. I'm just the sort who believes "the trend is your friend" and "past performance IS indicative or future performance." Oh and if you see an alligator, please don't feed it. I suspect those swamp tours in Louisiana, Florida, and Texas have led some Gators to associate humans with an easy lunch.
Check out Boat Rental links (#9 & #10) and more Water Attractions on our website (Link #11) below.
I hope you found this helpful & please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions,
Sincerely,
Patricia Dalton
504.669.0548
(Text or calls work best... I'm bad about emails)
https://www.gulfportvacationhomes.com/
KEY LINKS
FISHING / TIDES LINKS:
# 1 Click here to Check out this YouTube video and see from cast to bringing the fish on shore someone catching a Largemouth Striped Bass in less than 4 minutes.
# 2 Click here for local tide information. This link will take you to tidal information on the Back Bay, which the Biloxi River Flows into. Both our River Houses are located on the Biloxi River.
# 3 Click Here For Information on the Tides for The Biloxi River / Back Bay area; also offers clickable areas and is more detailed than the first Tidal link above.
# 4 Click Here for a photo of a large Catfish, caught in the Biloxi River.
DEEP FISH LINKS:
# 5 Click here for Captain Ron's website and to book a charter fishing trip.
# 6 Click here for Jay Trochesset's website and reviews.
# 7 Click here for Jay's availability and rates.
ALLIGATOR LINK:
# 8 Click here for detailed Alligator PDF.
MORE INFORMATION:
# 9 Click Here for a pontoon boat rental option. They’re based in the Bay St. Louis area, so to justify the cost of transporting the boat to Gulfport, they typically require a multi-day rental—or guests should expect to pay a premium for shorter boat rental.
#10 Click Here for information on Rentals (at a great rate) available to Active & Retired Military of all Branches of the armed forces service through Keesler Airforce base.
#11 Clicking here to be taken to our website's Attraction Page offering even more information about the Mississippi Gulf Coast including information on boat ramps, additional fishing info, and more.
... And if you have any recommendations during your stay, we’d love to hear them! We’re especially looking to add reliable kayak rental services, more deep-sea fishing options, and other trusted providers to help future guests make the most of their visit.
FAQ: River Fun? Fishing? Alligators? Boat Rentals? Charter Fishing? and more!
Since our vacation rentals sit right on a river that flows into the Gulf of Mexico, we get lots of questions about the waterways. I hope this message answers most of yours—but if not, just let me know! I’ll do my best to get you the info and may even add it to this message to help future guests.
MY #1 RECOMMENDATION:
Would be with Captain Ron, 228.860.4308. In a past life he was with one of the local Marine patrols that worked the Back Bay and local rivers, including the Biloxi River. I'm thinking it was the Harrison County Sheriff's Department. He left law enforcement to pursue his true love, Charter Fishing... just as well, he was always having to turn a blind eye to some minor infraction one of us River Folk was committing. 😎
See (#5) link below for his website and to book a charter fishing trip.
Oh! you should tell Captain Ron, Grady of the Great Escape River House on the Biloxi River sent you. He's familiar with that house & associates us with it. Captain Ron used to actually live on the Biloxi River and has multiple Charter fishing boats. I'm not sure mentioning Grady will get you a discount, but I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't get you some special treatment and maybe a story or two. That said, neither Grady or I have gone on a Charter Fishing Trip (with anyone) and would appreciate, if you do choose to book with Captain Ron, please give us your feedback. In the past, we've had several past guests that have Charter fished with Captain Ron and the feedback has always been 5 stars.
CHARTER FISHING FOR LARGER GROUPS:
I can also recommend: Captain Jay Trochesset. Check out Jay's reviews, website, availability and rates links below (#6 & #7).
My recommendation of Jay Trochesset is based on I've heard he does trips for groups up to 45 people. His # is: 228-388-2209. My very good friend Jimmy Dale Pitts (who has since passed away) recommended that I refer guests to Jay. Jimmy Dale Pitts had an extensive career on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and before retiring was Vice-President of our International Airport. My friend used to host lots of offshore deep sea fishing trips and swears by Jay. Women also love his charters; I hear the Silver Dollar charter boat offers at least one air conditioned room and a private bathroom on board. A true luxury on a fishing trip.
Often when asked about fishing a follow-up question is about Alligators. In anticipation of Gator questions, let me say, we have a healthy river system that abounds with wildlife. I've been on the Biloxi River since 1996 and have seen live alligators all of two times. In both instances, the alligator was less than 5 feet long.
Every once in a while one of my retired neighbors will email that they saw one and by the time they got the camera it was gone. These rare sights are treated more the way folks might treat a unicorn sighting. "Wow, that was cool! Can you believe we saw that?"
Attached is a very detailed country wide report of alligator interaction with humans.
There are a lot of rumors and opinions on how dangerous alligators are. There are over 3 million of them in the United States today. Almost 40,000 in Mississippi.
The Alligator link (#8) will bring you to a report that has become the Go To document for information on Gator vs human encounters in the USA. Over 50% of all Gator attacks happen while someone is trying to capture or harm the Gator. The report breaks down every incident, prior to its publication, giving answers to probably more questions than you'd think to ask. One thing is very clear:
Which is not to say someday there won't be a misbehaving Gator or that If I was swimming and saw one in the water, I'd continue to stay in the water. I'm just the sort who believes "the trend is your friend" and "past performance IS indicative or future performance." Oh and if you see an alligator, please don't feed it. I suspect those swamp tours in Louisiana, Florida, and Texas have led some Gators to associate humans with an easy lunch.
Check out Boat Rental links (#9 & #10) and more Water Attractions on our website (Link #11) below.
I hope you found this helpful & please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions,
Sincerely,
Patricia Dalton
504.669.0548
(Text or calls work best... I'm bad about emails)
https://www.gulfportvacationhomes.com/
KEY LINKS
FISHING / TIDES LINKS:
# 1 Click here to Check out this YouTube video and see from cast to bringing the fish on shore someone catching a Largemouth Striped Bass in less than 4 minutes.
# 2 Click here for local tide information. This link will take you to tidal information on the Back Bay, which the Biloxi River Flows into. Both our River Houses are located on the Biloxi River.
# 3 Click Here For Information on the Tides for The Biloxi River / Back Bay area; also offers clickable areas and is more detailed than the first Tidal link above.
# 4 Click Here for a photo of a large Catfish, caught in the Biloxi River.
DEEP FISH LINKS:
# 5 Click here for Captain Ron's website and to book a charter fishing trip.
# 6 Click here for Jay Trochesset's website and reviews.
# 7 Click here for Jay's availability and rates.
ALLIGATOR LINK:
# 8 Click here for detailed Alligator PDF.
MORE INFORMATION:
# 9 Click Here for a pontoon boat rental option. They’re based in the Bay St. Louis area, so to justify the cost of transporting the boat to Gulfport, they typically require a multi-day rental—or guests should expect to pay a premium for shorter boat rental.
#10 Click Here for information on Rentals (at a great rate) available to Active & Retired Military of all Branches of the armed forces service through Keesler Airforce base.
#11 Clicking here to be taken to our website's Attraction Page offering even more information about the Mississippi Gulf Coast including information on boat ramps, additional fishing info, and more.
... And if you have any recommendations during your stay, we’d love to hear them! We’re especially looking to add reliable kayak rental services, more deep-sea fishing options, and other trusted providers to help future guests make the most of their visit.
Base Rates & Guest Count
Our standard rates for the Great Escape River House include up to 18 guests. Additional guests are welcome with prior approval and will incur a per-person, per-night booked fee.
Booking Platforms & Capacity
For Booking Site platforms, such as Houfy, Airbnb, etc, that allow bookings for only up to 16 guests and will automatically calculate fees for the 15th and 16th person, The rates cap guest count to no more than 16 people on these Booking Sites. The Good news is — our home can accommodate up to 23 overnight guests! However, since some booking platforms do limit guest counts, please let us know your full group size in advance to avoid surprises and ensure accurate pricing, if your people count exceeds the number of people the site lets you enter..
Customized Quotes
We’re happy to provide a personalized quote based on your group size and needs.
Who Counts as a Guest
Guest count includes all overnight guests and visitors—adults and children alike.
Gatherings & Events
We’re glad to host larger gatherings with prior approval. Please share the total number of overnight guests and daytime visitors expected so we can plan accordingly, maintain a high-quality experience for all, and insure your choosen house is suitable for your stay..
Important Note
Exceeding the agreed-upon and paid-for guest count is a violation of our rental terms.
Parking
Parking is limited and must be planned accordingly:
We love pets—but have guidelines in place to protect the space and ensure comfort for all guests:
Base Rates & Guest Count
Our standard rates for the Hidden Escape include up to 14 guests. Additional guests are welcome with prior approval and will incur a per-person, per-night fee.
Booking Platforms & Capacity
For Booking Site platforms, such as Houfy, Airbnb, etc, that allow bookings for only up to 16 guests and will automatically calculate fees for the 15th and 16th person, The rates cap guest count to no more than 16 people.. The Good news is — our home can accommodate up to 23 overnight guests! However, since some booking platforms do limit guest counts, please let us know your full group size in advance to avoid surprises and ensure accurate pricing, if your people count exceeds the number of people the site lets you enter..
Customized Quotes
We’re happy to provide a personalized quote based on your group size and needs.
Who Counts as a Guest
Guest count includes all overnight guests and visitors—adults and children alike.
Gatherings & Events
We’re glad to host larger gatherings with prior approval. Please share the total number of overnight guests and daytime visitors expected so we can plan accordingly, maintain a high-quality experience for all, and insure your choosen house is suitable for your stay..
Important Note
Exceeding the agreed-upon and paid-for guest count is a violation of our rental terms.
Parking
Parking is limited and must be planned accordingly:
We love pets—but have guidelines in place to protect the space and ensure comfort for all guests:
No, the keg cooler at the bar is not available for guest use, and we do not provide kegs. While the cooler remains part of the bar setup, it is non-functional, and keg service is no longer offered.
The keg cooler was originally installed as a centerpiece of the wet bar in 2017. For many years, we provided kegs as a convenience, handling delivery, CO₂ refills, and required maintenance. However, over time, this service became increasingly impractical for several reasons:
The bar was custom-built around the cooler, and removing it would leave a noticeable gap, impacting the aesthetics of the space. While it remains in place as a design feature, it is non-operational and not available for use.
We kindly ask guests not to bring kegs or assume the keg cooler is functional. If you're planning a gathering, we recommend bringing cans or bottled beverages instead. Thank you for understanding!
We’ve carefully studied booking trends to ensure our home is available to as many guests as possible while keeping costs fair for everyone. Here’s why we avoid Saturday check-ins and check-outs:
Optimizing Availability for Guests:
Because we cater to larger groups of people, who mostly have weekends off, our homes tends to book mostly weekends. Because of this, Friday & Saturday carry the highest rates for the week. To make sure that we don't just have the 2 weekend nights book, our rates are based on 4 or more nights being booked, with us counting on the weekend being booked to stay in the "black" financially. Most of our bookings tend to be 4-night weekends, such as Wednesday–Sunday or Thursday–Monday. A Saturday check-in or check-out disrupts this pattern, effectively leaving 50% of highest revenue generating weekend unbooked.
Discounted Weekly Rates:
Weekly stays are offered at a discounted rate, because we assume the booking will only impact one weekend. When a Saturday-to-Saturday booking blocks two weekends, it creates a huge financial loss; that we can't absorb nor would we want to pass on to other guests.
Our Team’s Schedule:
Saturdays are the one day our hardworking cleaning crew takes off. Since a Saturday check-out would leave the home unavailable for same-day check-ins, this limits availability and further increases costs for everyone. That said, based on years of experience with making the mistake of taking Saturday check-in or outs, we've also learned it is highly unlikely the Saturday would book.... but worth mentioning, it would be extremely difficult to turn any of the properties around on a Saturday without our full crew.
Lessons from Experience:
A few years ago, two Saturday-to-Saturday bookings in one April (a week apart from each other) resulted in not a single day the rest of the month being booked, with fewer guests able to stay, as these 2 bookings, impacted 4 weekends. It was our worst April ever—something we’re working to avoid for the benefit of all our guests.
Planning Your Stay
For weekly stays, we recommend Sunday–Sunday (Mid May to the 1st week of August & Cruisin' the Coast week). The rest of the year, Checking in any other day than Saturday we can work with! If your plans absolutely require a Saturday check-in or check-out, please contact us directly to discuss options. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request, but be aware this will involve higher costs due to the challenges outlined above.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure all guests can enjoy their stays at a fair rate!
VISITORS?
Ah, visitors. They can turn a quiet vacation rental into a bustling hub of activity or, in some cases, into the scene of an out-of-control party. Let’s take a little stroll down memory lane. When vacation rentals first hit the scene, most of us were renting out a room in our homes or maybe that charming little cottage in the backyard. It was a cozy setup, just right for one or two weary travelers. But oh, how times have changed! Now, you can rent anything from a yurt to a mansion.
But with great power comes great responsibility, and sometimes, great parties that we didn't exactly sign up for. You've probably heard the stories of Airbnb parties gone wild, leading some communities to crack down hard on vacation rentals or ban them altogether. Those wild parties? Yeah, they weren’t just because the booked guests had a bit too much fun. It was usually a case of a few guests inviting a lot more friends than anyone expected.
So, as hosts, we have to be vigilant about visitors. We don’t want our lovely rental to become the next headline. Here’s how we keep things under control: We ask you to declare all visitors in advance and charge a fee per person, per night. For direct bookings, this fee is a bit lower than for overnight guests. However, depending on how long you’re staying and how many visitors you’re planning to have, it can add up. If you’re booking through an online platform, the rate for visitors is the same as for overnight guests.
Here's the deal: If you're booking with no or very few visitors, it's just a regular "Lodging Stay." But if you're planning on hosting a mini-festival, well, that’s an "Event Booking," and it comes with a higher price tag. It makes sense, right? A group of 18 with 25 visitors is a whole different ballgame than a group of 18 just hanging out on their own.
Got a special situation? Maybe you're here for a week but only planning to host a big gathering on one day. Our booking software doesn’t quite get the nuance of one-day visitors versus a week-long party, so give us a shout. We'll work something out.
Remember, it’s all about keeping the good times rolling without rolling over our property (or our neighbors’ patience).
Happy vacationing!
Group Sizes and Pricing
Did you know that less than 0.005% of vacation homes can sleep over 20 people, and fewer than 5% can accommodate more than a dozen? Well, we’re proud to say our three vacation rentals are the big fish in this vast sea of small fries! Just like major venues that cater to a variety of events, we aim to keep our homes booked. Whether it's a bustling family reunion or a cozy getaway for a smaller group, we’ve got you covered.
Most large vacation rental owners, like us, understand the need to price our homes in a way that appeals to typical group sizes rather than the occasional massive party. This is a standard practice in our industry. From hotel websites to vacation rental platforms, everyone charges based on group size.
Here's the scoop: no matter which of our houses you book, there's a base rate that includes a specific number of guests. If your group size exceeds this number, we add an extra fee of $30 per person, per night. Simple, right?
The Great Escape River House: This beauty can sleep up to 27 people in 18 twin to king-size beds. Its base rate covers up to 18 guests. So, whether you’re a group of 8 or 18, you’ll pay the same rate. Once you hit the 19th person, and for each additional guest, the extra fee kicks in.
The Hidden Escape: Perfect for groups up to 23, with 15 folding to king-size beds. The base rate here is for up to 14 guests. A group of 6 or 14 pays the same rate. Starting from the 15th person, each extra guest incurs the additional fee.
The River Lookout: This one sleeps up to 18 people across 11 folding to king-size beds. The base rate covers up to 10 guests. So, a group of 4 or 10 pays the same rate. From the 11th guest onward, the additional guest fee is applied.
Our ultimate goal is to keep these vacation rentals bustling with happy guests for years to come! While smaller groups might pay a higher per-person rate, larger groups enjoy a better per-person, per-night rate, even though the overall cost is higher. With our significant investment in accommodating larger groups, we aim to book longer stays with larger parties. Meanwhile, smaller groups help fill in the gaps, ensuring we stay booked and ready to welcome guests of all sizes.
So, whether you’re planning a big family reunion or a more intimate gathering, we’ve got the space and the pricing structure to make it work. We look forward to hosting you!
---------------------------------
Less than .005% of all Vacation Homes sleep over 20 people and less than 5% sleep over dozen people. Our 3 Vacation Rentals are big fishes in a huge sea of small fishes. Like huge venues that cater to large and small events, we realize as much as we want to book the maximum number of people our houses can accommodate, it’s also important to stay booked, even if it’s to smaller groups, paying less.
We are not alone, Most Large Vacation Rental owners know they need to price their homes to appeal not to the largest group that might book, but to the average group size they may book. This is standard in our industry and from Hotel sites to Vacation Rental sites, all are set up to charge additional, based on the size of the group.
Regardless of the house booked, the rate is $30 per person, per night booked, over the people count the Rate is based on.
THE GREAT ESCAPE RIVER HOUSE: Sleeps up to 27 people in 18 twin - king size beds. Its Base Rate is based on 18 or less people. A group of 8 people booking this house will pay the same rate as a group of 18 people. At the 19th person and for each person above that, the "Additional Guest Fee" is added to the invoice.
THE HIDDEN ESCAPE: Sleeps up to 23 people in 15 folding - king size beds. Its Base Rate is based on 14 or less people. A group of 6 people booking this house will pay the same rate as a group of 14 people. At the 15th person and for each person above that, the "Additional Guest Fee" is added to the invoice.
THE RIVER LOOKOUT: Sleeps up to 18 people in 11 folding - king size beds. Its Base Rate is based on 10 or less people. A group 4 people booking this house will pay the same rate as a group of 10 people. At the 11th person and for each person above that, the "Additional Guest Fee" is added to the invoice.
ULITIMATELY, OUR GOAL IS CONTINOUS AS VACATION RENTALS LONG INTO THE FUTURE! While smaller groups pay a higher per person rate, larger group have a better per person, per night booked rate... even though the overall cost is higher. We have a huge capital investment in catering to larger groups, so our goal is to book both longer stays, hopefully to larger groups; and while smaller groups supplement those dates not booked by larger groups, we count on larger groups to keep us in business for years to come.
💎 Posted Rates are based:
- 4 or more nights Booked, if the stay includes a Friday, or Saturday Night
- No check-in’s or outs on a Saturday
- June & July ideally the check-in or out date will be on a Sunday
💎The above does not describe your stay?
- Get your Individual quote!
- The listing is set For a 2 night minimum And available for 2 night bookings, just not at the posted rates.
💎 The Great Escape River House is perfect for large groups!
💎 In the city limits of Gulfport
💎 Less than 8 Miles from the Gulf of Mexico
💎 And as incredible as this home is and all it has to offer, its the affordable option over renting multiple houses, condos or Hotel rooms.
All our properties offer:
All our properties offer:
We provide a limited amount of "Starter Supplies," designed to make your arrival comfortable. The "Starter Supplies" included with each booking:
Please plan to bring additional supplies of the above items, any other items you'll need during your stay, including food, drinks or personal products (such as coffee or shampoo).
** TRASH CANS:
All Properties have Bedrooms & Bathrooms with small trash cans that a Walmart bag cans suffice as the trash liner. They also have larger trash cans that hold the large black trash bags & the medium size white trash bags.
NO
The Mississippi Gulf Coast has several "ride share" services, including Lyft and Uber. There are also Taxis, but none of our properties are close public bus routes. Please keep this in mind when booking: All our properties offer off street parking. At least enough off street parking for those booked to spend the night, even at the top people count, as long as the vehicle is at maximum capacity. Please inquiry about your specific property if you've any questions.
Click Here for a link to Biloxi River Fishing times & Tides. Both the River Lookout & the Great Escape River Houses are located right on the Biloxi River. The Great Escape River House offers a dock at the river's edge. The River Lookout offers a riverside Pavilion. At its river edge, you'll find a large sandbar or at most low tides a beach.
Check out our near perfect Weather:
| Month | Average Highs | Average Lows |
|---|---|---|
| January | 60F / 15C | 43F / 6C |
| February | 63F / 17C | 46F / 7C |
| March | 69F / 20C | 52F / 11C |
| April | 76F / 24C | 60F / 15C |
| May | 83F / 28C | 68F / 20C |
| June | 88F / 31C | 74F / 23C |
| July | 90F / 32C | 75F / 24C |
| August | 90F / 32C | 75F / 24C |
| September | 87F / 30C | 71F / 12C |
| October | 79F / 16C | 61F / 16C |
| November | 70F / 21C | 52F / 11C |
| December | 62F / 16C | 45F / 7C |
Expect Great Climates Year Round While on the Mississippi Gulf Coast! We're talking short-sleeve weather a majority of the year and the ideal environment for outdoor activities. Our winters are short, while our summers are long and warm.
Just call! If your call isn't answered, send a follow up text. 504.669.0548 we’d love to answer any of your questions.