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Home / Beaches / Pontchartrain Beach

Pontchartrain Beach

Пляж Пончартрейн
United States · Beach · New Orleans
murky
Best month: April

Best for

Suitable for walks, picnics and lake watching. Not suitable for swimming due to hazardous conditions.

Best month

April

Water
+24.0°C
Length
1 600 m
A historic beach on Lake Pontchartrain, reopened to the public. It features calm water and a sandy shore, popular for swimming and family holidays.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
moderate
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A historic beach on Lake Pontchartrain, reopened to the public. It features calm water and a sandy shore, popular for swimming and family holidays.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Historic site, popular since the early 20th century
  • Long sandy beach — about a mile
  • Scenic views of Lake Pontchartrain
  • Close to New Orleans city centre
  • Water declared safe for swimming
  • Free access
  • Popular spot for picnics and walks

Cons

  • Beach closed for swimming due to underwater drop-offs and riprap
  • No infrastructure: no toilets or showers
  • No lifeguards
  • Can be dirty after storms
  • Limited parking
  • Mosquitoes and sandflies
  • No natural shade
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Suitable for walks, picnics and lake watching. Not suitable for swimming due to hazardous conditions.
Features
What makes this beach unique
The beach is a historic site where musicians such as The Beatles and Elvis Presley performed in the mid-20th century. Today the beach is closed for swimming but remains popular for walks and picnics.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
grey
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
moderate
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
10 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
1 600 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
grey
Water Clarity
murky
Underwater Visibility
1.0 m
Average Water Temp
+24.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.2 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
May
Season end
September
Best month
April
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
none
Water Quality
Water purity rating
moderate
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
none
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
caution
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
Caution: the beach is closed for swimming due to underwater drop-offs and riprap. Do not leave valuables unattended.
Dangerous creatures
mosquitoes
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
No
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
0 pcs
Best restaurants

Brisbi's Lakefront Restaurant

Seafood

Restaurant right on Lake Pontchartrain with water views, known for fresh seafood and Creole dishes.

The Blue Crab Restaurant

Seafood

Popular lakefront restaurant with boiled crawfish, prawns and oysters.

Landry's Seafood House

Seafood

Family seafood restaurant in the nearby Lakeview area with Creole dishes.

Nearby cuisines

Creole

Traditional New Orleans Creole cuisine with rich soups and stews

Must try: Gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée

Cajun

Cajun cuisine with boiled crawfish and spicy seasonings

Must try: Boiled crawfish, boudin, jambalaya

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Pontchartrain

Must try: Oysters, prawns, crabs
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
sleepy
Crowd Level
uncrowded
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Insect repellent Headwear Towel Cash First aid kit
Best Time to Swim
Swimming is prohibited. The best time for walks is morning or evening when it is cooler.
Local Rules
Swimming is prohibited due to underwater drop-offs and riprap. Littering is prohibited.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Lake Pontchartrain

Louisiana-s largest lake with scenic views and fishing opportunities.

New Orleans

Historic city with French Quarter, restaurants and music 10 km from the beach.

City Park

One of the largest urban parks in the US with museums and gardens.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Pontchartrain Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — grey, clarity murky, average temperature +24.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Pontchartrain Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.2 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Pontchartrain Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — moderate. The shallow area extends for 10 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable.
Pontchartrain Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — grey. Texture — fine. Beach length — 1 600 metres.
Pontchartrain Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in May. It ends in September. The best month for a holiday is April. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Pontchartrain Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as moderate. There are no rip currents — swimming is safe. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Pontchartrain Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: mosquitoes. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Pontchartrain Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Pontchartrain Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Pontchartrain Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Brisbi's Lakefront Restaurant, The Blue Crab Restaurant, Landry's Seafood House. Cuisines available: Creole, Cajun, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Pontchartrain Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Insect repellent, Headwear, Towel, Cash, First aid kit.
Pontchartrain Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Swimming is prohibited. The best time for walks is morning or evening when it is cooler.
Pontchartrain Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming is prohibited due to underwater drop-offs and riprap. Littering is prohibited.
Pontchartrain Beach: who is this beach best for?
Suitable for walks, picnics and lake watching. Not suitable for swimming due to hazardous conditions.
Pontchartrain Beach: what makes this beach unique?
The beach is a historic site where musicians such as The Beatles and Elvis Presley performed in the mid-20th century. Today the beach is closed for swimming but remains popular for walks and picnics.
Pontchartrain Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Historic site, popular since the early 20th century, Long sandy beach — about a mile, Scenic views of Lake Pontchartrain, Close to New Orleans city centre, Water declared safe for swimming, Free access, Popular spot for picnics and walks. Cons: Beach closed for swimming due to underwater drop-offs and riprap, No infrastructure: no toilets or showers, No lifeguards, Can be dirty after storms, Limited parking, Mosquitoes and sandflies, No natural shade.
Pontchartrain Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans, City Park. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Pontchartrain Beach: how do I get to the city of New Orleans?
The beach is located near the city of New Orleans. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for New Orleans.

City

New Orleans

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.