Grand Isle
Grand Isle is a small island community off the coast of Louisiana. Although attractions are limited, the island town has a reputation for having some of the best fishing, crabbing and shrimping waters in the state. Competitive and casual fishermen and other visitors flock to the island every spring and summer to enjoy outdoor recreational activities.
Spend time in Louisiana's great outdoors at the Grand Isle State Park. Set up camp in your RV at one of the 49 developed campsites with electrical and water hookups, or, if you prefer a more natural experience, pitch a tent and set up camp right on the beach. The park office has canoes, surf bikes and paddle boats for rent, and there are more than 2 miles of nature trails for hikers.
Bridge Side Marina (bridgesidecabinsandmarina.net) is a full-service facility for Grand Island visitors. Guests who plan on staying at the marina may reserve the cabins, camps or campgrounds. Fishermen can fish right from the parking lot, use the boat launch ramp to get access to deeper waters or charter a trip with one of the many fishing charter companies that operate out of the marina. Competitive fishermen are welcome to participate in any of the fishing rodeos hosted by Bridge Side Marina throughout the year.
Fort Livingston was part of an early 19th-century effort to protect the Louisiana coast from invading forces. Abandoned since 1889, the fort was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Visitors hoping to take a trip to the historic fort must do so by boat, as Isle Grande Terre is just off the coast of Grand Isle and visible from the Grand Isle State Park. Visitors are free to explore the fort and and learn about the area history. There is no park staff, but the area is monitored by the Coast Guard.
Friends of Grand Isle
Grand Isle, Louisiana
What to do on Grand Isle, Louisiana
Fishing
Grand Isle, Louisiana is known for World Class Fishing & Seafood. In 2013, the fishing pier at the Grand Isle Bridge was voted by the readers of Country Roads Magazine the Best Place to take a Kid Fishing in Louisiana! In the Summer there are Fishing Rodeos every weekend. Grand Isle boosts one of the largest fleets of charter boat captains on the northern Gulf Coast. You can get more information about our charter captains at any of the marinas on the island or at the visit center. With more than 280 species of fish and four seasons of fishing, Grand Isle invites anglers of all ages and skill levels to cast their line in the abundant, surrounding waters.
Visitors to Grand Isle without fail head to the beautiful beaches along the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Much of the beach has been reinforced with rock jetties, a new dune line with beach grasses and sand that stave off erosion and create healthier beaches, ideal for many different adventures, such as swimming, surfing, wade fishing, crabbing just to name a few. Of course the most popular activity is simply soaking up the warm sunshine.
Despite the Hurricanes that have inundated Grand Isle over the last few centuries, a handful of homes have survived mother nature's storms for over 120 years. Grand Isle's Tour of Historic Homes features these proud survivors that have witnessed Grand Isle's colorful history and housed some of Grand Isle famous names. Brochures are available at the Visitor Center next to the Butterfly Dome for self guided tours.
Coming soon: GICDT will offer self guided walking tours. You will be able to download the historic home audio podcast online at itunes or rent a preloaded ipod at the Tourism/Port Commission office (Mon - Fri)
Kayaking is a great way to see the natural beauty of Grand Isle. There are several kayak launches on the bay side of the island (at the end of Louisiana Ave, behind LDWF Lab at the end of Ludwig and at any of the marinas) or you can launch at any location along our public beaches. Whenever kayaking, weather and rip tides should be taken into consideration for safety. Always file a float plan with a friend and take a cell phone, two way radio or EPERB with you in case of trouble. Sunscreen and bug spray are always advised.
Grand Isle is ideally positioned along the migratory path of millions of song birds between Mexico and the US. The Nature Conservancy has extensive land holdings on the island that provide trails through oak cheniers, and the State Park and Elmer's Island State Refuge lands provide further ample accessible birding habitat. In the Spring, Grand Isle hosts a Migratory Bird Celebration. This festival draws avid birders from all over the country and the world. Year round, Grand Isle is home to many species of wading birds such as Herons, Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills to name just a few. Just off Grand Isle is Queen Bess Island, a pelican rookery where you can see thousands of nesting pelicans and other birds. Tours are available through Calmwater Charters.
Live music by excellent musicians and recording artists pours from clubs, concert halls and casino stages throughout the state. The universal language of Louisiana is music – from jazz, blues, R&B, hip hop and country to Cajun, zydeco, swamp pop and salsa. But dining in great restaurants and cafes also is a way of life here. And with casinos and casino resorts scattered across the state, the range of entertainment Louisiana offers is huge. Night owls will be at home in cities from Shreveport-Bossier City to Lake Charles to Baton Rouge, and all the way to New Orleans, a 24-hour city where the party never stops.
Hope this helped !!!
