Commercial Use Authorizations

What is a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)?

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitors within a national park area. The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• Are determined to be an appropriate use of Gulf Islands National Seashore;
• Will have minimal impact on Gulf Islands National Seashore’s resources and values; and
• Are consistent with Gulf Island National Seashore’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

A CUA may be required if you, as an individual, organization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other functions for members, clients, or the public that:

• Take place at least in part in Gulf Islands National Seashore.
• Use park resources, and
• Result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

How do I apply for a CUA?

To apply for a CUA at Gulf Islands National Seashore, visit Home - Commercial Use Authorization. (https://cua.nps.gov)

The NPS is excited to announce the development and deployment of the online CUA System.

The system is designed to standardize, modernize, and streamline the CUA application and reporting process. The system allows potential CUA applicants and CA holders to view available CUA opportunities, apply for CUAs, submit required CUA reports, and pay CUA fees.

Applications for service types not listed will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be considered; ensure your application is complete with all required documents and details before submitting.

The authorized service types and where they are allowed in the National Seashore are listed below. Please email the Gulf Islands National Seashor CUA Office for the required forms. Email: e-mail us

Service Type	Location Permitted	Required Documents
RV Rental/Drop Off	Fort Pickens Campground (FL) Davis Bayou Campground (MS)	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing the United States of America as additionally insured Current RV Registration State/County Business License
Event Planning (Wedding and Picnics services)	Florida Beach units Okaloosa unit Fort Barrancas Naval Live Oaks (North) Ship Island (Weddings Only) Davis Bayou Area Florida Park waters Mississippi Park waters (Weddings Only)	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing United States of America as additionally insured Current vehicle/ vessel Registration State/County Business License Food and Beverage Addendum (if food service is provided) Food Service Inspection (if food service is provided) Food Permit from the State Department of Agriculture (if food service is provided)
Charter Fishing Boat/Land	Gulf side beaches of Florida Beach units All park waters MS, FL, except Crab Island	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing United States of America as additionally insured Current vehicle/ vessel Registration US Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection if carrying more than 6 passengers (is applicable) Mariner's/ Captain's License (if applicable) State/County Business License Acknowledgment of Risk
Equipment Rental (Beach Equipment- chairs, umbrellas)	Florida beach units	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing United States of America as additionally insured Current vehicle Registration State/County Business License Acknowledgment of Risk
Transport (non-tour)- road, air, water-based (Water Taxi)	Crab Island Horn Island Petit Bois Cat Island	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing the United States of America as additionally insured Current vessel registration USCG COI if carrying more than 6 passengers State/County Business Licenses First Aid/CPR certificates for all employees Swimming emergency plan List of retail items and prices (if applicable) Food and Beverage Addendum (if applicable) Food Service Inspection (if applicable) Food Permit from the State Department of Agriculture (if applicable) Signed Crab Island Code of Conduct (is applicable) Acknowledgment of Risk
Boat Tours- motorized (Dolphin/ Sunset Cruises)	All park waters (MS, FL)	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing the United States of America as additionally insured Current vessel registration USCG COI if carrying more than 6 passengers State/County Business Licenses First Aid/CPR certificates for all employees Swimming emergency plan List of retail items and prices (if applicable) Food and Beverage Addendum (if applicable) Food Service Inspection (if applicable) Food Permit from the State Department of Agriculture (if applicable) Signed Crab Island Code of Conduct (if applicable) Responsible Alcohol Training Certificates for all employees (if applicable) Acknowledgment of Risk
Scuba and Snorkeling	All park waters MS and FL except Crab Island; Fort Pickens Area FL	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing the United States of America as additionally insured Current vessel/vehicle registration USCG COI if carrying more than 6 passengers State/County Business Licenses First Aid/CPR certificates for all employees Scuba/Snorkeling emergency plan Scuba/Snorkeling Instructor Certificates List of retail items and prices (if applicable) Food and Beverage Addendum (if applicable) Food Service Inspection (if applicable) Food Permit from the State Department of Agriculture (if applicable) Acknowledgment of Risk
Kiteboarding/ Windsurfing	Pensacola Beach FL Waters	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing United States of America as additionally insured Current vehicle/ vessel Registration US Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection if carrying more than 6 passengers (if applicable) Mariner's/ Captain's License (if applicable) State/County Business License Acknowledgment of Risk
Equipment Rental (Non-motorized recreation equipment) kayaks, paddleboards, etc)	Crab Island FL sandbar only	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing the United States of America as additionally insured Current vessel registration State/County Business Licenses First Aid/CPR certificates for all employees List of retail items and prices (if applicable) Acknowledgment of Risk Signed Crab Island Code of Conduct
Retail Sales	Crab Island FL only	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing the United States of America as additionally insured Vessel Registration(s) State/County Business License Signed Crab Island Code of Conduct List of retail items and prices First Aid/CPR certificates for all employees
Food and Beverage (including pre-packaged, full service, and hot boxing)	Crab Island FL only	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing the United States of America as additionally insured Vessel Registration(s) Food and Beverage Addendum State/County Business License Food Service Inspection Food Permit from the State Department of Agriculture Signed Crab Island Code of Conduct List of retail items and prices (if applicable) First Aid/CPR certificates for all employees Food Resale Agreement (if applicable)
Camping - wilderness backcountry	Horn Island (MS) Petite Bois Island (MS)	Completed CUA Application Insurance Certification, listing the United States of America as additionally insured State/County Business License Food and Beverage Addendum Food Service Inspection Food Permit from the State Department of Agriculture First Aid/CPR certificates for all employees

 

What are the CUA reporting requirements?

CUA holders must submit an annual report via the online CUA system each year by January 31 for the operations that occurred during the preceding year. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts.

For appropiratte forms to fill out email the office below.

CUA Office Contact Information
Email: e-mail us

 

Important Links:

• Gulf Islands National Seashore Management and Planning Documents
• Gulf Islands National Seashore Park Rules
• NPS - Commercial Use Authorization
• Welcome to Visitor Use Statistics
• Doing Business with Us (U.S. National Park Service)

• Gulf Islands National Seashore Park Boundry Map

Note: not pictured on the map but in park broundry is an area deemed Crab Island It is a large submerged sandbar within Gulf Islands National Seashore, located north of the Destin Bridge in Choctawhatchee Bay.