*Updated July 2024
Nestled between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans offers a unique blend of city amenities within a coastal landscape.
New Orleans is known for its rich culture, one-of-a-kind festivals, and delicious Creole food. But just beyond the busy streets of NOLA, visitors can enjoy all of the outdoor activities the Gulf Coast offers.
Whether you dip your feet in Lake Pontchartrain or take a day trip to the Gulf of Mexico, a Book NOLA vacation home is the perfect home base to explore all the picturesque beaches nearby. Grab your po’boys for the road; we’ve rounded up the best beaches near New Orleans so that you get the most out of your Gulf Coast getaway.
Lincoln Beach
Photo Credit: Secret New Orleans
Nestled along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, Lincoln Beach is a hidden gem in New Orleans that is being lovingly restored to its former glory. Once a vibrant recreational hotspot for the African-American community during segregation, Lincoln Beach thrived with amenities like swimming areas, a dance pavilion, and amusement rides. Although it fell into disrepair in the late 1960s, recent efforts by passionate community members and organizations are breathing new life into this historic site. Visitors today can enjoy the serene natural landscape, participate in community clean-up events, and experience the rich cultural heritage that Lincoln Beach represents.
The beach’s stunning scenery, with its sandy shoreline, lush greenery, and gentle lake waves, offers a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle. Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts will find it particularly appealing. Beyond its natural beauty, Lincoln Beach serves as a symbol of resilience and community spirit, hosting cultural events and educational programs that celebrate its significant past. Accessible from Hayne Boulevard in New Orleans East, this revitalized destination invites visitors to relax, explore, and support the ongoing restoration efforts, ensuring Lincoln Beach remains a cherished part of New Orleans’ heritage for future generations.
Fontainebleau State Park
As one of the only Lake Pontchartrain beach access points available to the public, Fontainebleau State Park is the closest beach to NOLA and offers activities for the whole family. The park has a few hiking trails, including the short and sweet Sugarmill Nature Trail (1.1 easy miles), perfect for a family stroll, and a splash pad for kids to enjoy.
Visitors can also go kayaking along the lake from this access point. The state park is only 10 minutes from Downtown Mandeville, where you can enjoy a midday meal at one of its many delicious restaurants. There is a $3 entrance fee per person for adults and children over four years old.
Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi
Bay St. Louis is the closest Gulf of Mexico beach near New Orleans, only an hour’s drive away. This low-key beach destination is the perfect family-friendly getaway, boasting shallow waters and wide sandy beaches. On any given day, locals will be building sand castles, sunbathing, or crabbing nearby.
The water in this part of the Gulf is brown and murky, so don’t expect clear waters when you visit! But if you are looking for a quick day trip with low crowds and plenty of kid-friendly activities, Bay St. Louis is your spot.
There is free parking and public restrooms nearby the beach access entrance point.
White Sands Lake Day Beach
Just north of New Orleans in Franklinton, LA lies a spring-fed lake and sandy beach named White Sands Lake Day Beach. This popular man-made beach destination is the perfect day trip for the whole family to enjoy, as it has a little something for everyone.
The lake features an Aqua Park packed with fun inflatable water toys such as slides, trampolines, and aqua mats. The sandy beach is lined with cabanas, tiki huts, picnic tables, and even grills to enjoy a full day of relaxing, cooking, and the lake view. If you prefer a more action-packed beach day, you can enjoy a game of beach volleyball or rent a kayak or paddleboard for lake activities.
Admissions at publication were $18/day for adults and $13/day for children. While reservations are not required, we recommend reserving a cabana for the day to ensure you’ll have access to shade, a picnic table, and a grill.
Biloxi, Mississippi, and Surrounding Beaches
Once you pass over the Bay St. Louis bridge, you will find a long stretch of beach towns along the Mississippi Coast. Perhaps the most popular is Biloxi Beach, known for its beachfront casinos and popular seafood eateries.
You can utilize public beach access points throughout this stretch, including Pass Christian, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Ocean Springs. Each town offers a different coastal vibe. While Pass Christian and Ocean Springs are more low-key and local, Gulfport and Biloxi are popular tourist beach destinations.
The water is murky on the Mississippi Coast, but there is still plenty of fun. There are multiple splash pads, museums, casinos, art galleries, and delicious restaurants along the oceanfront. With free parking at the public beaches, it’s a convenient and affordable day trip option from the Big Easy.
Pro Tip: For an exciting day’s adventure, take a ferry ride to Ship Island off the coast of Biloxi!
Grand Isle State Park, Louisiana
Grand Isle gives you the ultimate immersion into Louisiana’s coastal wildlife. It is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a more rugged and natural beach day getaway. An island at the Southeast tip of Louisiana, Grand Isle is known for deep-sea fishing excursions, epic wildlife viewing, and plenty of hiking trails. Grand Isle State Park offers public access to the beachfront destination for a $3 entrance fee.
Grand Isle State Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Visitors will spot brown pelicans and seagulls splashing in the water on any given day. If you come to fish, you will be blown away by the 400-foot fishing pier, the longest in Louisiana. And if you prefer a deep-sea fishing adventure, you can book a fishing charter trip for the day.
Dauphin Island, Alabama
Dauphin Island is situated right on the border of Alabama and Mississippi. This small, unassuming barrier island near Mobile is packed with family-friendly activities. It offers a more local feel than other popular Alabama beaches, making it perfect for a low-key, easy day at the beach.
History buffs will enjoy access to Fort Gaines, a historical civil war site on Dauphin Island. Admission was $10 for adults and $5 for children at the time of publication.
Dauphin is also home to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, a 165-acre bird sanctuary along the Gulf Coast. Visitors can enjoy walking the nature trails and bird-watching inside the bird sanctuary.
Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, neighboring beach towns in Alabama, offer the quintessential beach experience. You’ll often find families from New Orleans vacationing here as it is the closest beach with clearer waters than Mississippi. It is perfect for a day of sunbathing, beach volleyball, building sand castles, and boogie boarding in the ocean.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach boast miles of beautiful beaches with multiple public access points. There is plenty of shopping, restaurants, and entertainment along the coast as well. If you’re looking for a lively, popular day trip with endless beach amenities, this is the stop for you.
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the country, Pensacola Beach is a well-established tourist destination located in Northwest Florida. Once you cross from Alabama to Florida, you will notice the difference in beach quality from the sand to the water. Pensacola Beach is infamous for its sugar-white sand and beautiful clear waters. As a city with year-round residents, Pensacola is bursting with local eateries, coffee shops, bars, and more.
Pensacola Beach offers plenty of family-friendly activities, from parasailing to beach volleyball to seashell collecting. It might be a little further than New Orleans, but it makes for a beautiful beach spot worth the drive.
Pro Tip: Right past Pensacola Beach, you’ll find Navarre Beach, a more low-key local beach spot boasting the same beautiful sand and waters.
Make a Splash with a Book NOLA Pool Staycation!
While a trip to Lincoln Beach offers a unique and serene escape, we understand that not everyone wants to make the journey during their stay in New Orleans. But worry not! With Book NOLA, you can bring the beach experience to your doorstep. Our vacation rentals feature stunning pools that let you soak up the sun and unwind in style. Imagine lounging by your private pool, sipping on a refreshing drink, and enjoying the comforts of a home away from home.
Book your stay with Book NOLA today and create your own private oasis in the heart of the city. Whether you’re here for the rich history, vibrant culture, or simply to relax, our rentals provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable New Orleans experience. Dive into comfort, convenience, and a touch of luxury with Book NOLA—your ideal beach stay without ever leaving the city.
No matter your ideal beach day, Book NOLA is ready to host you at one of our incredible vacation rentals featuring stunning pools.