Grand Isle places to stay

Grand Isle has the distinction of being Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island. Oleander and crepe myrtle, palms, ferns and windblown oak trees welcome migrating birds in season, and the marshes are teeming with aquatic life and waterfowl. The breezes and bracing seawater make this an ideal destination for those drawn to water sports. The island is home to a one-mile stretch of beach that looks out on Grand Terre island, the former lair of a legendary pirate and site of the ruins of Fort Livingston. During the spring, Grand Isle residents kick off the shrimping season with their annual Blessing of the Fleet Festival. This annual tradition of sending off the boats and fishermen has expanded into an all out festival, complete with food, rides, and more. Other popular events that reel in visitors include a series of fishing rodeos held throughout the year and the oldest fishing tournament in the country.

The weather of Grand Isle remains pleasant throughout the year, even in the winter season. The town averages about 223 sunny days per year and also offers endless water and other recreational activities. Because of its mild climate, there really isn’t a bad time to visit Grand Isle, though summer is most popular. In July, the town hosts a rodeo, a fishing tournament, and local festival boasting outdoor activities and events. Spring is the best time to view the island's avian residents and visitors. During April it is near impossible not to see one of the 150-plus birds that inhabit the island. And even though things are much quieter in fall and winter, the shops and restaurants will still be open.

Grand Isle State Park

Seize the chance to watch the dolphins from the shores of Grand Isle State Park. The Park offers a beach for sunbathing and relaxing dips, along with restrooms, picnic pavilions, fishing, birdwatching, and dolphin sightings along the shore. There’s also a lookout tower to make the most of the view.

Birdwatching

In addition to its beaches, Grand Isle is also a prime destination for birdwatching. Visitors can stroll along the two-mile long birding and nature trail, stopping at one of the five lookout stations to view the birds that migrate to or call Grand Isle home. If you’re lucky, you can spot songbirds in oak-hackberry woods, or shorebirds and waders on the beaches and in marshes. What’s more, the area hosts the Annual Migratory Birding Festival every spring.

Cruise the back lanes

What better way to get a sense of the beauty of Grand Isle than to cruise the streets. Guests can bike along what the locals call the “back lanes” for a tour of the island. These streets weave through the neighborhoods and are lined with beautiful old oak trees and historic homes.