Major city · United States
Grand IsleGrand Isle, Louisiana
A half-day to one-night stop for beach, fishing and birding; not a multi-day base unless you have a boat.
Grand Isle is Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island, a 65-mile drive south of Houma. Its state-park beach, fishing rodeo and bird migration make it a short destination for Gulf coast lovers, but the island is small and accommodation is limited.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (heat, humidity, mosquitoes), hurricane season Jun–Nov
- Airport
- MSY
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Grand Isle911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Grand Isle, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyGrand Isle is generally safe, but watch for rip currents, mosquitoes and hurricane-season weather.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (About 2 h 40 min drive via US-90 and LA-1).
- Getting aroundCar is essential; the island is about 10 km (6.2 mi) long.Car is essential; the island is about 6.2 mi (10 km) long.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealPo'boy sandwich$10–15
- BeerBeer (draft / can)$4–6$2–4
- Museum or sight ticketState park entry (per vehicle)check$3
- Budget bedCamping site (tent or RV), a night, per roomUS$25
- Mid-range bedCamping site (tent or RV), a night, per roomUS$40
- High-end bedCamping site (tent or RV), a night, per roomUS$60
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (About 2 h 40 min drive via US-90 and LA-1)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Care
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–May. Mixed: Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Grand Isle: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential; the island is about 10 km long. Bicycle works on the flat roads.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Port Fourchon
goDoor to door: 30 min
Drive north on LA-1, about 20 min
Working port with seafood restaurants and boat-watching.
Houma
goDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
Drive north on LA-1, about 1 h
Closest sizable town for supplies and more dining options.
New Orleans
cautionDoor to door: 3 h
Drive via US-90 and LA-1, about 2 h 40 min
Doable as a long day trip but better as a separate stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Beachside cottages and camping
Most lodging is along LA-1 near the beach; book ahead in summer and for the rodeo.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Beachside cottage or motel room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| State park entry (per vehicle)1 × US$3 · check | US$3 |
| Canoe/kayak rental (per hour)2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$46 |
| Trip total≈ US$255 per person per day, bed included | US$509 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Po'boy sandwich | $10–15 |
| Beer (draft / can) | $4–6 / $2–4 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $3–4 |
| State park entry (per vehicle)check | $3 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Hurricane season: check forecasts; evacuation orders can come with little notice.
- Mosquitoes are heavy year-round; bring repellent.
- No gas station on the island — fill up in Houma or Raceland.
- Beach swimming: rip currents possible; heed warning flags.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Grand IsleGrand Isle, Louisiana
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MSY → Grand Isle (rental car): about 2 h 40 min, tolls on LA-1 (check)
- Houma → Grand Isle (car): about 1 h
Say or show
- Howdy / Hi — Hello
- Thanks / Thank you — Thank you
- How much is this? — How much is this?
- Where's the restroom? — Where is the bathroom?
English is universal; no special phrases needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Grand Isle. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (heat, humidity, mosquitoes), hurricane season Jun–Nov · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Grand Isle State Park, Grand Tarpon Rodeo, Artie's Sports Bar.
- Verified hours and fees for state park and rodeo.
- Evacuation route and shelter data for hurricane season.
Sources
Ask about Grand Isle
Loading…
Was this useful?