Chandeleur Islands
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One of the top places in the US when the waves are on. Size, consistency, lack of people, beauty of area, and water quality make this a very unique and exciting place to surf.
Talk to the folks at www.nosurfshop.com for help and more info on the area as they know the locals and out of towners that regularly hit this area.
Atmosphere:
The most secluded surfing spot in the Northern Gulf of Mexico due to its location. Make sure you watch the weather and check the swell forcast before you make the long journey. This is nothing like Fourchon Beach, Grand Isle Pier or Jetty area, Holly Beach, or Miss River's Southwest Pass jetty. The waves can be very large and if you are injured remember that you are miles from the nearest hospital.
Additional Info:
Boat & Airplane access only. One of the most secretive spots in the entire Gulf of Mexico due to location and because those in the know want to keep the Chaneleurs to themselves. Beautiful white beaches akin to Destin and blue water regularly moves into the area for beautiful un Louisiana like water clarity. In many areas of the chain the water goes from 20 to 30 ft straight onto a 2 to 3 ft sandbar which makes for amazing waves when the swells are pumping the Gulf. Normally though during the summer the wave height is typically 1 to 3 ft swells.
Bring a fishing rod but remember that you can't put up a tent site on the islands because its a national park and bird sanctuary.
Bring insect repellant and beware of sharks, especially the Bull Sharks in the area.
Location
Loading...Access
Boat only or by Float Plane. The nearest boat launches are Venice, La. (Cypress Cove Marina & Venice Marina) 40 min to 1 1/2 hours by boat. Other launches are Hopedale (Breton Sound Marina) 40 min to 1 1/2 hours by boat. Biloxi/Bayou Cady/Bay St. Louis (all marinas destroyed by Hurricane Katrina).
By float plane (30 minutes via New Orleans).
The island chain is approx 25 to 40 miles long and there are numerous surf breaks and sand bars along the entire chain.
| Walk | Don't know |
|---|---|
| Public access | Yes |
| 4x4 required | No |
| Boat required | Yes |
Wave Characteristics
| Type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Right and left |
| Bottom | Sandy |
| Power | Hollow, Fast, Powerful, Ordinary, Fun, Powerless, Ledgey |
| Frequency | Very consistent (150+ days/year) |
| Normal length | Long (150 to 300m) |
| Good day length | Very Long (300 to 500m) |
Ideal Conditions
| Wind direction | North, NorthWest, West, SouthWest, South, SouthEast, East, NorthEast |
|---|---|
| Swell direction | North, NorthWest, West, SouthWest, South, SouthEast, East, NorthEast |
| Swell size | Less than 3ft - 12ft |
| Tide | All tides |
| Tide movement | Rising and falling tides |
Crowd
| Week | Empty |
|---|---|
| Weekend | Empty |
Dangers
Urchins, Rips / undertow, Sharks
Videos
None