Gulfport, Mississippi is located on the Gulf of Mexico and has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The area is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, with the peak of the hurricane season occurring in September. Gulfport's hydrology constituents include the Gulf of Mexico and the Pascagoula River. Outdoor recreation opportunities in Gulfport include fishing, boating, and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as exploring the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which encompasses several barrier islands off the coast of Mississippi and Florida. The area also has several parks and nature preserves, including the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge and the Gulf Islands Wildlife Management Area.