6 Best Places to Paddle Board in New Orleans, LA

Discover the Big Easy on water: it’s more than just vibrant nightlife!

The best places to paddle board in New Orleans are waiting to be explored.

Unveil the magic of NOLA’s waterways in a unique and exciting way.

Embark on a paddleboarding adventure and let the Crescent City charm you from a new perspective. Ready to make a splash?

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Planning Your Paddle in New Orleans

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs stay above 59 °F right through the year, so there is no closed season. August is the warmest month, averaging 89 °F.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in New Orleans

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Bayou St. John

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Orleans Avenue Or Magnolia Bridge (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Late Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Birds, turtles, fish
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Spanish colonial-era architecture, Moss-lined trees
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect local rules, watch for debris in the water

Bayou St. John is a picturesque and historic waterway located in the heart of New Orleans. The calm waters and moss-lined trees make it a tranquil paddleboarding experience.

Glide through the charming Spanish colonial architecture as you paddle along this peaceful bayou.

#2 Pontchartrain Beach

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: End of Elysian Fields Avenue (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Lake waters, occasional waves, afternoon wind potential
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Fish, egrets, and herons
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: New Basin Canal Lighthouse, Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Keep a safe distance from lake-edge infrastructure, respect local rules

Pontchartrain Beach lies along the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Enjoy the calming breeze as you skim through the waters while observing the historic lighthouse and the iconic causeway.

This spot offers a serene escape from the city’s bustling atmosphere.

#3 Lafitte Greenway

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Basin Street Station or Carrollton Avenue (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Birds, turtles, fish
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Urban parks and recreational spaces
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Mind pedestrian and bicycle traffic, respect local rules

The Lafitte Greenway is a recreational corridor that connects several waterways in New Orleans. Paddleboard along its beautiful urban waters and explore recreation spaces and parks.

This green corridor is an attractive place to experience paddleboarding amidst the urban landscape of New Orleans.

#4 Lacombe Bayou

🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: John Krentel Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm bayou waters, slight tidal influence
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, turtles, waterfowl
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Bayou and marshland vistas
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be aware of water depth, insects, and wildlife

Lacombe Bayou, located near New Orleans, provides a lovely paddleboarding experience within the lush bayou and marshes.

It is an excellent place for nature lovers who want to explore near-New Orleans paddleboarding destinations in the classic Louisiana bayou environment.

#5 Cane Bayou

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Cane Bayou Boat Launch (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Alligators, turtles, herons, ospreys
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Swamps, marshes, Fontainebleau State Park
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Maintain a safe distance from wildlife, especially alligators, and respect local rules

Cane Bayou, situated close to New Orleans, is a classic Louisiana swamp and river paddleboarding adventure. Enjoy the mesmerizing landscapes of swamps and marshes as you observe Louisiana’s wildlife.

Just make sure to maintain a safe distance from alligators and respect the natural environment.

#6 St. Martin’s Parish

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: St. Martin’s Parish, Bayou Teche (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Birds, turtles, fish
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Historic districts, scenic landscapes, Bayou Teche
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be mindful of private property and local regulations

Bayou Teche, located in St. Martin’s Parish, is a picturesque and tranquil river just a short drive from New Orleans.

This unique waterway, lined with historic districts and scenic landscapes, offers an exceptional paddleboarding experience reminiscent of classic Louisiana charm.

New Orleans paddles bayous and the lake rather than the Mississippi itself. Louisiana has the rest, the delta the wilder version and Mississippi the state next door.