Fourchon
Fourchon Surf Spot Details
| Wave Quality Rating | 2 |
|---|---|
| Type of Wave | Beach break |
| Direction of Wave | Right & left |
| Bottom | Sand |
| Difficulty | Beginners |
| Crowd Level | Empty |
| Hazards | Jellyfish, Sharks |
General Description
Beach break near where Bayou LaFouche returns to the Gulf.Best time to go is right before a cold front as the winds will pick up a blow surf into Fourchon,followed by a wind shift it will be off shore.Tropical storms and hurricanes will provide great surf but be aware of the tidal surge as the area is not much above sea level and it will claim your vehicle.Fall/Winter /Spring are the best times,summer will be unbelievably flat at times,but it's hurricane season so anything is possible.Watch the weather for a lot of SE-SW winds and that will push in some surf.Lots of mosquitoes around sundown so be prepared for them.Horseflies also.Sea Lice can be abundant in the water also.
**** SEE BELOW IN ACCESS FOR MORE INFO *****
General Info
How to get there
Take Hwy 90 west from New Orleans[it's on the West Bank of the river]exit Hwy 308 south towards Golden Meadow/Galliano..it's faster than Hwy 1 ,has less lights and radar police !Cross the draw bridge in Galliano turn left on Hwy 1 and continue south until Hwy 3090[Port of Fourchon] Turn right.If the bridge is open cross and follow road to the beach[if it's closed you may have to paddle across followed by a long walk].A 4wd may be necessary.Where the road empties onto the beach is where "Car-Tops used to be.It's now called "Barges" due to the 8-10 barges sunk just off shore to protect the LOOP.Go right [West} to the end where Bayou La Fourche jetties are ,a set of 3 jetties 1 short and 2 forming the channel.Best surf is approx 50-100 yds East of the short jetty.
During a large swell waves will break along the jetties in the channel[lefts on the beach side and rights on the other] but be aware as you are surfing next in a channel next to a drop off as your feet will get smacked by fish as you wait for waves.
Where to Stay
Small hotels in Grand Isle or back in the Golden Meadow /Galliano area.New Orleans or even in Houma.
Access & Parking Info / Cost
Parking is free although don't park too close to the water as the Gulf may claim you vehicle.Be careful driving on the sand as you may get stuck.Farther down Hwy 1 in Grand Isle ,there is a state park that costs $2 to park there to surf.
**** FOURCHON IS CLOSED TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC!!!! There isn't much beach left and the state and private owners are fighting over what is left.It seems that the only thing to do is to sink barges offshore a couple of hundred yds parallel to the beach to block wave action.This was done just offshore of the LOOP and at the East end of Grand Isle.Until the Army Corp of engineers lets the Mississippi river flow out the Atchafalaya basin for a few years,beach erosion will continue in this area and valuable wetlands will be lost...and put New Orleans/Metairie at risk for flooding/surge in the next hurricane.
Equipment Hire
There is a surf shop in New Orleans [ called NO SURF SHOP....it's online also] not much anywhere else. There was a shop in Houma a few years ago but not sure if it's still open.Surf shops in Alabama and Florida[Pensacola} are the only other possibility.
Surf Schools
Possibly at NO surf shop.
When its Flat?
New Orleans is the highlight here,lots to do there.Katrina has changed lots of things in the area,but it's coming back.Fishing,sight seeing[old plantations] the French Quarter,Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras,etc.
- USA › Gulf Coast › Louisiana › Fourchon (2☆ Beach break)
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