Gulfport Vacation Homes

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.

Fishing in the Biloxi River

The river behind The Great Escape River House and the River Lookout is known for bluegill, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and the occasional large catfish. Past guests have had mixed luck with shrimp. A local who fishes often suggests live bait — crickets, worms, or a lure that moves — and fishing the bottom if a cork is not working. Non-Mississippi residents can buy a 3-day fishing license for less than $20 at Walmart or Academy. Please bring your own fishing equipment.

Deep sea fishing

My first recommendation is Captain Ron, 228.860.4308. Tell him Grady of the Great Escape River House on the Biloxi River sent you. For larger groups, I can also recommend Captain Jay Trochesset, 228-388-2209.

Alligators

I have 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. If you see an alligator, please don’t feed it.

Sincerely, Patricia Dalton, 504.669.0548. Text or calls work best.

Our standard rates for the Great Escape River House include up to 18 guests. Additional guests are welcome with prior approval and incur a per-person, per-night fee. The home can accommodate up to 23 overnight guests when arranged directly. Guest count includes all overnight guests and visitors, adults and children alike. Exceeding the agreed-upon and paid-for guest count is a violation of our rental terms.

Parking is limited: about 1 vehicle per 3–4 registered guests, no parking on the grass or in the street, and all vehicles in designated areas on the property.

Pet policy

Dogs under 20 lbs are pre-approved with the standard pet fee. Larger dogs, multiple dogs, or non-dog pets need pre-approval. For multiple dogs, the first dog is full price and the per-pet fee decreases for each additional dog.

Our standard rates for the Hidden Escape include up to 14 guests. Additional guests are welcome with prior approval and incur a per-person, per-night fee. The same parking and pet guidelines apply as at our other homes. Please share your full group size in advance so pricing stays accurate.

No. The keg cooler at the bar is not available for guest use, and we do not provide kegs. The cooler remains part of the bar setup because the bar was built around it, but it is non-functional. Please bring cans or bottled beverages instead.

Friday and Saturday carry the highest rates, and most stays are 4-night weekends such as Wednesday–Sunday or Thursday–Monday. A Saturday check-in or check-out leaves half of that weekend unbooked. Saturday is also the cleaning crew’s day off. For weekly stays from mid-May through the first week of August, and during Cruisin’ the Coast week, we recommend Sunday–Sunday. If your plans require a Saturday, contact us directly. It can sometimes be arranged at a higher cost.

Please declare all visitors in advance. There is a fee per person, per night. For direct bookings this fee is a bit lower than for overnight guests. A stay with no or very few visitors is a lodging stay. A large gathering is an event booking and is priced accordingly. If you are hosting a gathering on only one day of a longer stay, call us and we will work something out.

The additional guest fee is $30 per person, per night, over the guest count the rate is based on.

The Great Escape River House sleeps up to 27. Its base rate covers 18 or fewer. The fee starts at the 19th person.

The Hidden Escape sleeps up to 23. Its base rate covers 14 or fewer. The fee starts at the 15th person.

The River Lookout sleeps up to 18. Its base rate covers 10 or fewer. The fee starts at the 11th person.

Posted rates assume 4 or more nights when the stay includes a Friday or Saturday, no Saturday check-in or check-out, and, in June and July, a Sunday turn day when possible. Stays that do not match that pattern need an individual quote. The listing allows a 2-night minimum, just not at the posted rates.

• A fire extinguisher
• Smoke / fire detectors
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Swimming pools have latching gates
• Deadbolt electronic smart locks
• Exterior Ring camera monitoring

Starter supplies are meant to make arrival comfortable: a roll of toilet paper in each bathroom, enough soft soap for the first night, one roll of paper towels, trash liners with one extra, a small amount of dish soap and dishwasher detergent, and enough laundry detergent for the household towels. Please bring food, drinks, and personal products.

No. The Mississippi Gulf Coast has Lyft, Uber, and taxis, but none of our properties are close to a public bus route. Each home has off-street parking for the booked guest count when vehicles are at a normal capacity.

Both the River Lookout and the Great Escape River House are on the Biloxi River. The Great Escape has a dock at the river’s edge. The River Lookout has a riverside pavilion and, at low tide, a sandbar or beach. Tide times follow the Back Bay, which the Biloxi River flows into.

Expect short-sleeve weather for much of the year. Winters are short. 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.