New Orleans, Louisiana is known around the world over for its fabulous food, music, multicultural traditions and vivacious festivities, but it's not necessarily perceived of as a beach destination. Historically important beaches within the city such as Lincoln Beach and Pontchartrain Beach are, as of this writing, officially closed. Despite this, some very wonderful strands along both lakefront and seashore await within easy driving distance of the Big Easy. It's still possible to take a beach day during a New Orleans getaway.
Below, explore some of the 9 best beaches near New Orleans, from the lapping shores of Lake Pontchartrain to white-sand jewels lining Gulf Coast barrier islands.
1. Fontainebleau State Park
- Address: 62883 Hwy 1089, Mandeville, LA
- Distance From New Orleans: 40 miles
- Amenities: Restrooms, showers, water playground/splash pad, fishing pier, picnic area, camping, trails
This sandy beach sits along the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain and stands among the centerpieces of the 2,800-acre Fontainebleau State Park. When you’re not swimming, sunbathing, or casting a line from the fishing pier, you can enjoy hiking paths, a multiuse trail, a picnic area and the interpretive exhibits on display in the park’s visitor center. You could also turn this New Orleans beach getaway into an overnighter as Fontainebleau State Park offers both developed campsites and lakeside cabins.
2. Grand Isle State Park
- Address: Admiral Craik Dr, Grand Isle, LA
- Distance From New Orleans: 110 miles
- Amenities: Restrooms, showers, fishing pier, camping, trails
Grand Isle is the only populated barrier island in Louisiana and it offers views of the Gulf Coast beachfront. The finest beachgoing destination is likely the milelong strand protected within Grand Isle State Park, popular not only for swimming but also surfing. An impressive 400-foot-long fishing pier extends into Grand Isle’s waters draws anglers who can also surf-cast directly from the beach for speckled trout, redfish and more.
3. White Sands Lake Day Beach
- Address: 52129 Sandstone Blvd., Franklinton, LA
- Distance From New Orleans: 60 miles
- Amenities: Restrooms, changing rooms, showers, cabanas, beach volleyball, aqua park, boat rentals
This private attraction tempts with plush sands along a spring-fed lake in Washington Parish. Shaded cabanas for lounging are available to rent, as are kayaks (both single and tandem) and stand-up paddleboards. Beach volleyball and an adjacent watermark add to the family-friendly appeal at White Sands Lake Day Beach.
4. Gulfport Beach
- Address: 1301 20th Ave, Gulfport, MS
- Distance From New Orleans: 78 miles
- Amenities: Beach rentals, restrooms, free street parking
A rather vast carpet of sand extends along Gulfport, Mississippi’s seashore, providing one of the most beloved beach escapes of New Orleans. And from its dense lineup of restaurants, bars and shops to the enchantments of the Mississippi Aquarium and the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, there are plenty of other attractions to enjoy in this second-largest Magnolia State city when you need a break from the sun-dazzled surf.
5. Ship Island
- Address: Ship Island, MS
- Distance From New Orleans: 78 miles (to Gulfport)
- Amenities: Swimming area, restrooms, outdoor showers, beach chairs for rent, pavilions, concessions
Ship Island lies 12 miles off Gulfport and is only accessible by private or charter boat or by a seasonally operating passenger ferry. It’s a part of a whole network of Gulf of Mexico barrier islands flanking the coasts of Mississippi, Alabama and far northwestern Florida.
Partly protected within the Gulf Islands National Seashore and known for the 19th-century Fort Massachusetts, this enchanting isle includes a designated swimming beach that comes lifeguarded in the summer.
6. Biloxi Beach
- Address: 1027-1031 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS
- Distance From New Orleans: 90 miles
- Amenities: Beach chair/umbrella rentals, restrooms, ample parking, fishing
Well known for its casinos, Biloxi’s equally celebrated for its share of Harrison County, Mississippi’s 26-mile-long beachfront: said to be the longest manmade beach in the world. Enjoy long strolls on the white sands, admire Biloxi Lighthouse and consider indulging in a little saltwater angling from Lighthouse Pier.
7. Dauphin Island Public Beach
- Address: 1551 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL
- Distance From New Orleans: ~150 miles
- Amenities: Public parking, restrooms
Dauphin Island, known as the “Sunset Capital of Alabama”, is another of the Gulf Coast’s magical barrier-isle getaways: a 14-mile offshore wonderland, accessible by bridge or ferry, which helps form the “gates” of Mobile Bay. Along with an Audubon Bird Sanctuary (a roughly 160-acre preserve of wildlife-rich maritime forest, wetlands, lakeshore, dunes and beachfront), the Alabama Aquarium and the fascinating archaeological site of Indian Shell Mound Park, the island’s treasured for its Gulf sands. The Dauphin Island Public Beach is notable for being dog-friendly.
8. Gulf State Park
- Address: 20115 State Park Rd, Gulf Shores, AL
- Distance From New Orleans: 196 miles
- Amenities: Parking, restrooms, fishing, trails, camping
Over 3.5 miles of beautiful white-sand are protected within 6,500-acre Gulf State Park, for nesting sea turtles. You’ll find multiple beach access points here, strung between two communities: Pier (20800 E Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, AL), Beach Pavilion (22250 E Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, AL), ROmar Beach (24450 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL), Cotton Bayou (25900 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL), Alabama Point (27853 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL) and Shell Lot (28273 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL).
9. Pensacola Beach
- Address: Pensacola Beach, FL
- Distance From New Orleans: 209 miles
- Amenities: Restrooms, parking, shopping, fishing
Set on the lengthiest barrier island along the Florida Panhandle, the 44-mile-long Santa Rosa Island—makes a stunning welcome to the Sunshine State’s Emerald Coast for New Orleans travelers. Pensacola Beach is famous for its white “sugar sands” that can be savored at numerous access points to a beachfront that's frequently ranked among the finest in the U.S. Beachgoing anglers will delight in the 1,471-foot-long Pensacola Beach Pier, which allows them to try their luck against coveted Gulf gamefish such as pompano, cobia, flounder and Spanish mackerel.
Plan Your Trip to New Orleans With AAA
Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to New Orleans today. Dream up the perfect trip and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.