Kayaking and canoeing is an immensely popular way to explore this water wilderness. Four out of the five Mississippi regions are barrier islands: Horn Island, Petit Bois Island, East Ship Island, and West Ship Island. The fifth Mississippi region, the Davis Bayou, is on the mainland and just begs for exploration by paddle.

The western extremities of Florida's panhandle include four 19th century forts build to defend Pensacola Bay. Fort Pickens, the largest, was built in 1829 and completed in 1834. The other forts include Fort McRee on Foster's Bank, Fort Barrancas, and Advanced Redoubt on the mainland. These forts were built as part of a fortification effort to protect all major America harbors after the War of 1812.