In this post, I’ll share the quiet beaches I discovered in Louisiana during my many trips there. Every time I go, I admire the relaxed vibe...Gulf breezes, marshy backdrops, and a slower pace that makes it easy to unwind. If you can swing a weekday visit, I really recommend it. That’s when I’ve had the shore practically to myself, perfect for birdwatching and peaceful walks. Weekends get a bit livelier, with more families and fewer parking spots, so plan ahead if you're going then. Either way, there’s something special about these coastal escapes that keeps drawing me back.
Best Beaches in Louisiana:
North Beach - in the heart of Lake Charles
North Beach in Lake Charles was the kind of surprise that made me pause. A white-sand beach in the middle of Louisiana? Yes, and it came with its own skyline. I walked along the shore with the I-10 bridge in view and thought, "This shouldn’t work—but somehow, it does." The sand was soft, the breeze steady, and families spread out with folding chairs and cold drinks. It felt like a city beach reimagined for a Southern pace.
Cypremort Point Beach - 65 miles south of Lafayette
At Cypremort Point State Park, I found a pocket of saltwater calm on Vermilion Bay. The grassy picnic areas gave way to a beach that felt like a threshold—between land and a wider, unknowable sea. The wind off the bay carried the scent of salt and cypress. I stood at the shoreline and watched the water shift with the tide, thinking, "This is where Louisiana exhales." It was peaceful, even when kids laughed from the fishing pier behind me.
Fontainebleau State Park - 40 miles north of New Orleans
This beach came with layers—of water, of history, of stillness. Fontainebleau State Park stretches along Lake Pontchartrain, and its beach felt like a whisper compared to the noisy woods and trails behind it. I waded into the warm, shallow lake and looked back at the ruins of the old sugar mill. "It’s all still here," I thought. Time felt soft, like the lake’s muddy bottom. Birds skimmed the surface. The sun hung low. Nothing rushed.
Grand Isle - 110 miles south of New Orleans via bridge
Grand Isle felt like standing on the edge of the world. This barrier island off the Gulf was raw and weathered but full of life—fishermen casting lines, kids chasing seabirds, wind tugging at everything loose. The beach wasn’t polished; it was honest. I walked the shoreline and felt the history in the sand, the way storms and sun had shaped it over time. "This is a beach that knows things," I thought. It was humbling and beautiful.
Holly Beach - 60 miles from Lake Charles
Holly Beach had that DIY beach town energy. I admired the houses on stilts, ATVs on the sand, and a constant breeze from the Gulf. It wasn’t fancy, but it didn’t need to be.
I drove right onto the beach, windows down. The water rolled in and the air smelled like salt and barbecue. "This is how Louisiana does the coast," I said out loud, smiling. Holly Beach was the perfect coastal gem.
White Sands Lake Day Beach - 70 miles north of New Orleans
This one caught me off guard—in a good way. Nestled inland near Franklinton, White Sands Lake isn’t coastal at all, but it had beach vibes for days. Floating inflatables bobbed in the water, and kids launched themselves off slides while parents lounged on the white sand. It was more like a beach-themed playground than a traditional shoreline, but I loved it anyway. "Louisiana’s version of a beach day carnival," I thought as I dipped my toes in the warm water.
At a Glance
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall (watch for hurricanes and heat)
- Vibe: Laid-back, often rustic, with bursts of personality
- Parking: Easy at most beaches; Holly Beach allows on-sand parking
- Food Nearby: Grand Isle and Lake Charles have the most options; others may require packing your own
- Don’t Miss: Sunset over Vermilion Bay at Cypremort Point
Jump to a Spot...
- • Lake Charles Sunrise
- • North Beach - in the heart of Lake Charles
- • Cypremort Point Beach - 65 miles south of Lafayette
- • A scenic view of Lake Pontchartrain from Fontainebleau State Park in Louisiana
- • Fontainebleau State Park - 40 miles north of New Orleans
- • Grand Isle - 110 miles south of New Orleans via bridge
- • Holly Beach - 60 miles from Lake Charles
- • Holly Beach in Cameron Parish in Southwest Louisiana
- • Houses in Holly Beach, Louisiana
- • White Sands Lake Day Beach - 70 miles north of New Orleans
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