Intracoastal City Port
Intracoastal City, LA
Intracoastal City is a working port on the Vermilion River where it meets the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, about 13 miles south of Abbeville. Heliports, a shrimp dock, and dry docks line the water, so this is an oilfield and fishing waterfront, not a swimming beach. For recreational boaters it's the closest launch area to Vermilion Bay and Marsh Island, which has no road access.
It's the practical jumping off point for Vermilion Bay and Marsh Island, but it's an industrial port with no beach and not much for casual visitors.
How we score beachesMarsh Island Wildlife Refuge sits across the bay and requires a WMA Access Permit for visitors. Sort out the permit before you load the boat, and check current launch options with Vermilion Parish.
Parking and launch options vary by dock, so confirm current public ramp access with Vermilion Parish before hauling a trailer down. There's no beach parking here.
Working docks and gravel and shell lots with heavy truck traffic. There are no paths or facilities aimed at visitors.
Fall and spring give the calmest runs across Vermilion Bay, with hot, humid summers in between. Hurricane season runs June through November and shuts this port down quickly.
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