Grand Terre Island Beach
Grand Isle, LA
Grand Terre is the barrier island just east of Grand Isle, across Barataria Pass, with the ruins of Fort Livingston on its western tip, the only fort on Louisiana's Gulf coast. The beach is sand along the pass and the Gulf side, with no road, no facilities, and a steady flow of shrimp boats and fishing traffic. Locals cross by boat or kayak to walk the shore and the fort ruins.
The empty beach and the old fort make it a rewarding short crossing from Grand Isle, but the pass traffic and no facilities mean it's an adventure more than a beach day.
How we score beachesCross at slack tide in a kayak and watch for shrimp boats, because Barataria Pass has heavy traffic. The U.S. Coast Guard watches the area around the fort, so keep your distance from their station.
There's no parking on the island, which is reachable only by boat. Launch from Grand Isle, then cross Barataria Pass to the western end.
Boat access only, with a rough landing and soft sand and rock near the fort. No paths, restrooms, or shade.
Spring and fall give the calmest, mildest conditions for the crossing. A 1872 hurricane wrecked the fort, and hurricane season runs June through November here, so check forecasts before heading out.
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