What’s the closest beach to New Orleans? A guide to 13 destinations you can drive to in a day. (2024)

New Orleans is surrounded by water, but the Crescent City currently lacks a developed beach destination.

There used to be two popular options in the city -- Pontchartrain Beach and Lincoln Beach -- but they closed years ago. There's a grassroots effort to revitalize Lincoln Beach in New Orleans East.

For now, if you want to dig your toes in the sand and enjoy the salty breeze, you have to hit the road. In about an hour, you can be at the beach. Several beaches in Mississippi and parts of Alabama are close enough for a day trip.

You can get to the closest beach in Florida in about 3 hours, depending on traffic, which is notorious for backing up during beach season.

If youwant blue water, head to Florida or take the ferry to Ship Island in Mississippi. If you want an easy day trip to a sandy beach, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is your best bet.

We'veput together a guide for 13 beach destinations that are within driving distance from New Orleans. They each have their own vibe and amenities.

For the drive time estimates, we started at the Caesars Superdome. Beach traffic is usually heavier during peak times.

Did we miss your favorite beach? Send an email to online@theadvocate.com and tell us about it.

Map of nearby beach destinations

The guide includes:

• Lincoln Beach
• Fontainebleau State Park
• Grand Isle
• Bay St. Louis
• Gulfport
• Ship Island
• Ocean Springs
• Dauphin Island
• Gulf Shores
• Pensacola
• Destin
• Seaside and 30A communities
• Panama City

Note: Gulf Coast communities continue to recover from storms and the COVID-19 pandemic. Check hours of attractions before you go.

Lincoln Beach

• Drive time: 15 minutes
• Address:13904 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans
• Amenities: Informal beach access. Good for picnicking and hanging out.

Lincoln Beach is in New Orleans East and is the only accessible sandy beach in the city (if you are willing to go offroad).

It opened in 1939 and served as an oasis for Black New Orleanians who could sunbathe, swim in massive pools, enjoy concerts and ride a roller coaster, like their White counterparts at the segregated Pontchartrain Beach near Gentilly. Lincoln Beach closed in 1964 when Pontchartrain Beach integrated and has fallen into disrepair over the decades.

But, people have started to use the lakefront beach again. The city also has proposed a $10 million plan that includes cleaning up the beach, adding a public access path and building commercial amenities.

In the meantime, there's a grassroots revitalization effort, with volunteers picking up trash and adding seating. The beach is still officially closed so it is harder to access, but people have been using it for years. It's mainly for picnicking and hanging out, because alligators are frequently spotted in the water.

Tips for getting there: There's a well-trodden path to the beach. Look for two crumbling signs across the street on Hayne, which used to be for parking lots. Directly across from those signs are pallets you can climb to get over the levee. Once you cross the railroad tracks, there's another pallet you climb to get down. Then, follow the trail to the water's edge.

Fontainebleau State Park

• Drive time: 45 minutes
• Address: 62883 LA-1089, Mandeville
• Amenities: Sandy beach, nature trail, splash pad

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville has a beach on Lake Pontchartrain. It's a popular destination for day trips, but you can extend your stay and book a cabin or a campsite. See availability.

The park has nature trails and a playground with a splash pad. There's a $3 entrance fee per person into the park. It's free for seniors and children 3 and under.

Canoes, kayaks and bikes are welcome and you can also rent golf carts. The park is about 10 minutes from downtown Mandeville, which has plenty of restaurants and shops.

Grand Isle

• Drive time: 2 hours
• Address: Grand Isle Beach. Public parking available along beach.
• Amenities: Sandy beach, fishing, picnicking

Grand Isle has seven miles of public beaches that are popular for swimming, building sandcastles, collecting seashells and fishing.

The public beach recently reopened, but the island is still rebuilding after being hit hard by Hurricane Ida in 2021. Grand Isle State Park, with its campsites and RV hookups, has also reopened after an extended closure following the storm. See the current status.

Restaurants and bars are available for food and bathrooms, in addition to the bait shop. You can also rent golf carts and jet skis.

There are camps (beach homes), RV parks, motels available if you want to extend your stay.

Read more aboutvisiting Grand Isle.

Bay St. Louis

• Drive time: 1 hour
• Address: 600 South Beach Boulevard, Bay St. Louis
• Amenities: Sandy beach, public bathroom and showers, easy parking

Bay St. Louis in Mississippi is one of the closest beach options for New Orleanians. There's a public bathroom with showers and a free parking lot right on the beach. Often, a snoball vendor sets up on the Washington Street Pier.

You can bring a picnic or go to one of the many restaurants along the beach or downtown.The Blind Tiger and Mockingbird Cafe are solid options.

New Orleans-based companies, such as Creole Creamery, Fleurty Girl and PJ's, have locations there too.

You can extend your stay, with several options for hotels, bed and breakfasts and Airbnbs.

Gulfport

• Drive time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Address: 1301 20th Avenue, Gulfport for Jones Park
• Amenities: Beach, bathrooms, outdoor shower, splash pad, playground

Gulfport is an easy drive from New Orleans and is a popular day trip. There's free parking along Beach Boulevard (Highway 90), and plenty of dining options. Bring your own chairs, beach umbrellas and kites. Jet skis and beach bikes are available for rent in multiple places in Biloxi if you want more speed.

Jones Park by the Gulfport Harbor is an especially kid-friendly beach destination with a free splash pad, a playground and open areas for running. There's a public fishing pier at the park too.

Downtown Gulfport has been revitalized since Hurricane Katrina and has many excellent spots for drinking and dining. Half Shell Oyster House and Pop Brothers (specialty popsicles) are solid options. Shaggy's is a popular nearby restaurant that overlooks the beach.

Other attractions: The Mississippi Gulf Coast has several casinos that are popular for eating, drinking and playing. The Biloxi Shuckers are the minor league baseball team and games at the outdoor stadium are popular. Time your visit right and you might get to see the fireworks.

Popular attractions for children include the Mississippi Aquarium, Lynn Meadows Discovery Center (children's museum), Big Play Entertainment Center (bumper cars), Salvation Army Kroc Center (indoor splash pad and pool) and the Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum.

Side trip: Downtown Long Beach is close and is an easy beach drive from Gulfport. There's a free splash pad at the Harper McCaughan Town Green Pavilion. The main stretch of downtown is walkable on Jeff Davis Avenue and has places to eat, drink and shop. Options include Darwell's, Lil Ray's, Harbor View Cafe and Steve's Marina Restaurant on the water.

Ship Island

• Drive time: 1 hour 15 minutes then an hourlong ferry ride
• Address: 1040 23rd Avenue, Gulfport
• Amenities: Blue water, white sand, historic fort, bathrooms

Ship Island is a fun destination from the Gulfport Harbor. The Ship Island ferry, operated by Ship Island Excursions, will get you to the barrier island in about an hour. You can buy tickets in advance or at the ticket office.

Ship Island is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and is protected by the U.S. Park Service. It has excellent natural beaches for swimming, birding and collecting seashells.

Fort Massachusetts is a Civil War fort that is open for seasonal tours.

Some food is available for sale on the ferry and the island, but many people pack a cooler with supplies. Umbrella and beach chairs are available for rent. Read more about the island.

Ocean Springs

• Drive time: 1 hour 30 mins
• Address: 200 Front Beach, Ocean Springs
• Amenities: Public beach, restaurants, free parking, splash pad, playground, bathrooms

Ocean Springs is an artsy community on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with a beach and a walkable downtown full of shopping and dining options.

Front Beach is large and has public parking options. If you park by Fort Maurepas City Park, there's a playground, splash pad and bathrooms. Little Children's Park is nearby and is a popular playground with swings and a zipline.

The main downtown area is on Washington Avenue and Government Street. Solid food options are Tatonut Donut Shop, Phoenicia Gourmet and Vestige (fine dining). The Greenhouse is a quirky coffee shop in an actual greenhouse. The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint is a short drive from Interstate 10 and is a popular casual dining destination.

Other attractions: The Walter Anderson Museum of Art showcases the art of Walter Anderson and his brothers. If you are in the mood for shopping, swing by Realizations for prints and merchandise featuring Walter Anderson's art.

Dauphin Island

• Drive time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Address: Public beach at 1501 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island
• Amenities: 5 public beaches with $10 parking fee

Dauphin Island is a quiet island community south of Mobile. The island is popular for people who want to rent a beach house, bring their supplies and relax in peace.

If you are going for a day trip, there are public beaches and restaurants that make for a laid-back getaway. A $10 daily parking fee is required for beach access. Read more about Dauphin Island.

Attractions: The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is an interactive facility that includes displays, live animals and a touch pool with cownose rays. There's also the Audubon Bird Sanctuary and options for fishing, boating and kayaking.

Gulf Shores

• Drive time: 3 hours, 15 minutes
• Address: 101 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores
• Amenities: Beaches, hotels, restaurants, state park, bathrooms

Gulf Shores has a little bit of everything, with beach condos and hotels on one end and Gulf State Park on the other. It's also close to other popular beach destinations, such as Orange Beach and Perdido Key.

There are miles of public beaches and several free parking lots. Restaurant and shopping options abound. Read more about Gulf Shores.

Gulf State Park has been renovated in recent years and now has a new fishing pier, complete with bathrooms and wildlife-friendly cleaning stations. There's also an eco-friendly hotel and 28 miles of bike paths snaking throughout the park. Read more about the park.

Pensacola Beach

• Drive time: 3 hours, 15 minutes
• Address: 41 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach
• Amenities: Sandy beach, blue water, restaurants, hotels, national seashore

Pensacola is one of the closest Florida beaches to New Orleans and has sugar-white sand and clear water.

It's an established tourist destination with many options for hotels, restaurants, shopping, boat rentals and other activities for friends, families and dogs. Hello, Pensacola Dog Beach!

Read more about visiting Pensacola.

Destin

• Drive time: 4 hours, 15 minutes
• Address: 320 Gulf Shore Drive, Destin
• Amenities: Beach, hotels, restaurants, attractions

Destin is a busy beach destination with many hotels,restaurants and shops.

Popular attractions include Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park, Henderson Beach State Park and mini and regular golf. Baytowne Wharf is a walkable nearby village with shopping, dining, street performances and a carousel.

Crab Island is one of the most popular destinations in Destin, according to tourism officials. It's a shallow sandbar where boaters gather to enjoy emerald green water, play on floating obstacle courses and drink from floating bars. You can rent a boat or take the shuttle.

See more about visiting Destin.

Seaside and 30A communities

• Drive time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
• Address: 99 Central Square, Santa Rosa Beach
• Amenities: Beach, restaurants, shopping in several communities

The communities along Highway 30A, called 30A by devotees, have cultivated a reputation as an upscale vacation destination for Gulf Coast residents.

Seaside is the central community with a walkable town center and plenty of dining and shopping options. This idyllic area was where "The Truman Show" was filmed. Read more about Seaside.

Other popular communities on 30A include Seagrove, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seacrest, Grayton Beach and Blue Mountain Beach.

Many people rent a house or condo and stay for a week. Rentals are available for beach chairs, umbrellas, bikes, kayaks and more. Each community offers programming during peak seasons such as farmer's markets, musical performances and fireworks.

Read more about visiting 30A.

Panama City

• Drive time: 5 hours
• Address: 8715 Surf Drive, Panama City Beach
• Amenities: Beach, clear water, hotels, restaurants, attractions

Panama City Beach is a bustling tourist destination with 27 miles of beaches, emerald green water and many options for hotels,restaurants and shops.

There are also waterparks, regular and mini-golf courses, St. Andrews State Park, Ripley's Believe or Not! Odditorium and amusem*nt parks. The nightlife scene is popular with college students.

Don't miss the free programming all summer with music and fireworks.

Read more about visiting Panama City Beach.

Writers Jessica Williams and Jessica Fender contributed to this story.

Did we miss your favorite beach? Send an email to online@theadvocate.com and tell us about it.