When it's 90 degrees outside and only getting hotter, going to the beach can be a fun way to cool off. And, Louisianans don't have to travel across state lines to do it.
There are fourteen beaches in southern Louisiana. However, it's not always safe to swim there. Some may not pass the Environmental Protection Agency's water quality standards, while others have been closed for decades amid efforts to reopen them.
The EPA advises against accessing beaches with high levels of enterococcus bacteria, which can cause gastrointestinal issues if swimmers accidentally drink the water or absorb it through their skin. Sources of the bacteria can include storm runoff, leaky septic systems and wastewater treatment plant effluent, among others.
The Louisiana Department of Health tests for enterococci at beach sites every week. Its last testing happened on June 12 and 13 at twelve beach sites. A beach is given an advisory if the average amount of bacteria over a wide area is too high, or if clusters of bacteria in the area far exceed the average amount.
There is currently no advisory for:
- Fontainebleau State Park
- Grand Isle
- Constance Beach
- Holly Beach
- Gulf Breeze
Fontainebleau State Park is in Mandeville on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. It costs $3 per person for entry, though it's free for children 3 and under and seniors 62 and older.
Grand Isle is at the end of LA 1, about a two-hour drive south from New Orleans. It costs $3 per person for entry, though it's free for children 3 and under and seniors 62 and older.
Holly Beach, Constance Beach and Gulf Breeze are in Cameron parish, about an hour south of Lake Charles.
There is an advisory for:
- Elmer's Island
- Cypremort Point State Park
- Lake Charles North Beach
- Little Florida Beach
- Long (Dung) Beach
- Martin and Rutherford
Elmer's Island is just west of Grand Isle, about 2 hours south of New Orleans.
Cypremort Point State Park is in St. Mary Parish, an hour south of Lafayette.
Lake Charles North Beach is within the city of Lake Charles.
Rutherford Beach is in Cameron Parish, an hour south of Lake Charles.
Little Florida, Long Beach and Martin Beach are also in Cameron Parish, a few miles west of Gulf Breeze.
Beaches on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain are monitored by the Pontchartrain Conservancy. The conservancy has worked to clean up the lake since it was founded in 1989.
According to the conservancy, Pontchartrain Beach has a safe level of enterococci, but the beach is closed. The site of the former amusement park has safety hazards due to the metal structures for attractions are still there. A plan to reopen Pontchartrain Beach without amusement park rides recently fell through.
