Buccaneer State Park

Water activities rule where pirates once walked

Pirates once sailed along the coast of modern Mississippi and stashed their loot on barrier islands.

In the old days, European sailors released domestic pigs on islands as a source of fresh meat. With few or no natural predators on those islands, pigs thrived, multiplied and turned wild.

More than pigs inhabited some islands. Castaways on those islands would prepare boar meat by hanging strips on wooden racks called buccans and slowly drying them over fires. Without refrigeration, dried meat lasts much longer without spoiling. These island people became known as “buccaneers.”

Our current word “jerky” comes from the Spanish word charque, which means “to cut things into long strips.” When not drying meat, people on the islands sometimes raided passing ships, giving another meaning to the word “buccaneer.”

“Use of this land was first recorded in the late 1700s when Jean Lafitte and his followers were active in smuggling and pirating along the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” explained Bridgette Galiouras, the Buccaneer State Park manager. “Lafitte inhabited the old Pirate House located a short distance from what is now the park. The park site, also known as Jackson’s Ridge, was used as a base of military operations by Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson later returned to this area and built a house on land that is now Buccaneer State Park.”

Buccaneer Bay Waterpark

Today, visitors to Buccaneer State Park, located at 1150 South Beach Boulevard in Waveland, Miss., won’t see any pirates, but they could enjoy many fun activities. The park spreads across 310 acres of prime coastal property on the Gulf between Waveland and Clermont Harbor. Grand Bayou and the Grand Bayou Coastal Preserve mark the eastern boundary.

“Located on the beach in Waveland, Buccaneer State Park is in a natural setting of large moss-draped oaks and marshlands on the Gulf,” Galiouras said. “The Buccaneer Bay Waterpark with a 20,000-square-foot wave pool is the largest in the state. It’s an 8-foot wave pool with a 6-foot foot wave.”

Buccaneer Bay, a 4.5-acre waterpark, overlooks the Gulf. Pirate’s Lagoon Wave Pool can generate eight different wave patterns. Little swimmers can safely play in the in the Lil’ Smuggler’s Cove pool. Splash Island features a 5,000-square-foot pool and water slides. Take the Pirate’s Plunge if you dare!

Hungry after all that swimming? Visit the Sea Dog Galley for a bite to eat and a cold drink.

The park offers 206 premium campsites and 44 new luxury campsites. Wander the 1.8-mile Pirate’s Alley Nature Trail. Hikers might spot many bird species, including pelicans, herons, egrets, ospreys and other wildlife. Also try the 18-hole disc golf course.

Fantastic fishing

Of course, a facility located on the shoreline of the Gulf offers many varied fishing opportunities. People without boats can wade the public beaches all along the Mississippi Coast. The surrounding marshes, bayous and Mississippi Sound provide opportunities to catch redfish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, sheepshead and other species.

Anglers might consider hiring one of the many charter captains who operate along the Mississippi Coast. Some provide inshore or nearshore opportunities. Others head offshore to catch red snapper, mangrove snapper, cobia, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and other species. Larger boats fish for tuna, wahoo, swordfish, sailfish and marlin.

“With warm weather, coastal wildlife and beautiful views, the park provides a fun family environment,” Galiouras said. “From Buccaneer Bay to a nature trail, disc golf course and scenic campsites with extensive amenities, there’s something for everyone at Buccaneer State Park.”

The park stays open all year long, but some activities operate seasonally. For more information, call (228) 467-3822. Online, see https://www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/park/buccaneer-state-park.