The island's only public beach belongs to Grand Isle State Park, on the island's eastern end. The park charges a small fee for day use, which includes access to the 400-foot-long fishing pier, the wide beach and an observation tower that provides expansive views of the coastline. Visitors come here to sunbathe and swim in the perpetually warm Gulf water. Another popular activity is hunting for seashells and strolling the 2.5-mile nature trail. Bird watchers will enjoy looking for migratory birds or the Louisiana state bird, the brown pelican. Fishing for snapper, drum, trout and redfish is yet another draw. The park has a fish cleaning station, picnic pavilions and bathrooms. In July, thousands come to the park to participate in the annual Tarpon Rodeo, one of the region's most popular fishing competitions. Visitors should note that dogs are not allowed on the beach.
The state park has a 49-spot campground with private sites for tents and RVs. Some spots have electrical and water hookups. A well-kept bathhouse has flush toilets and showers. The campground is open year-round. For visitors seeking more comfortable lodgings, there are several rental options. Grand Isle Rentals, for example, rents beachfront homes of various sizes, each of them built on stilts and overlooking the Gulf. Wateredge Beach Resort and Cajun Tide Beach Resort rent suites and small hotel rooms.
Fishing and boating are two popular activities on Grand Isle. Most visitors take their poles to the 400-foot pier, baiting their lines with shrimp or minnows and casting for drum, snapper, redfish, croaker, speckled trout and flounder. Others bait crab nets with chicken necks or smaller fish in order to catch blue crab. Several charter companies on the island take visitors deep sea fishing for marlin, tarpon and tuna. The state park rents canoes and paddle boats by the hour; prices include life jackets and paddles.
Visitors driving to Grand Isle can take I-10 in either direction to New Orleans, branching off on I-310 southbound before taking US 90 westbound to Raceland. In Raceland, follow LA 1 south for 65 miles through a vast marshland. LA 1 dead ends at Grand Isle State Park. The LA 1 south bridge entering Grand Isle charges a toll.
