Other states bordering the Gulf Coast may be more famous for their sandy stretches, but Louisiana has its fair share of beaches, too. From a barrier island that beckons anglers—Louisiana isn’t billed as a Sportsman’s Paradise for nothing!—to the “Cajun Riviera” that draws crabbers, and placid lakes with campgrounds and cabins, there are plenty of ways to unwind on the water throughout the state.
Pro tip: If swimming is high on your list of things to do during a beach day, be sure to check the water quality reports posted weekly by the Louisiana Department of Health’s Beach Monitoring Program before you dive in.
Ahead are 10 of the best beaches in Louisiana.
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Grand Isle Beach in Grand Isle
Grand Isle is Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island. Two hours from New Orleans, vacationers come here to wade in the warm Gulf waters, devour fresh seafood, and bike around the slim, seven-mile slice of paradise.
With more than 250 species of fish inhabiting the waters, Grand Isle is a popular spot with anglers and the stage for several fishing tournaments. For those looking to reel in a fresh catch for dinner, the Grand Isle State Park features a 400-foot long public fishing pier with a nearby fish-cleaning station.
Birders should also put Grand Isle on their bucket list because twice a year 100 species of birds make their 500-mile commute across the Gulf of Mexico. Occasionally, birders can witness a phenomenon known as “fall out” when thousands of exhausted birds drop from the sky into the safety net provided by the canopy of trees. The island celebrates its biannual visitors at a migratory bird festival in the spring.
ADDRESS:Grand Isle Beach, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA