Elmer's Island Beach
Grand Isle, LA
A wildlife refuge beach next door to Grand Isle that locals favor for its open, undeveloped shoreline and reliable surf fishing. It took years to reopen after storm damage, and the community's patience in waiting for it says something about how much it is valued.
An open, undeveloped wildlife refuge beach that took years to reopen after storm damage, locals value it enough that the wait was clearly worth it to them.
How we score beachesFacilities are limited, so treat this one like a wildlife refuge outing as much as a beach day.
Dogs are allowed on Elmer's Island's beach, with standard leash and cleanup etiquette expected though not explicitly codified by the state wildlife refuge.
This wildlife refuge shares Louisiana's hot, humid summer and its hurricane season, June through November, with the rest of the Gulf coast. Surf fishing stays productive into fall, once the worst of the summer heat and storm risk starts to ease.
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