There’s something special about taking to the water by kayak, gliding along at eye level with the waving marsh grasses and resident wildlife as an observant visitor. As the paddle beats a lazy rhythm against the water’s surface, ripples fan out to gently lap at the water’s edge. Keen-eyed alligators and watchful turtles silently monitor your progress, while egrets and herons take flight and fish for dinner just feet from the bow of your boat. It’s a rare opportunity to become fully immersed in the wild and scenic landscape of South Louisiana, and there’s no better place than Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou to bring the experience within reach.
Port Fourchon's Hidden Gem
Push off the edge of the world in Port Fourchon at Coastal Wetlands Park, where a one-mile paddle trail winds through a hundred acres of wetlands. Ten years ago, the resilient marsh now flourishing here was open water. Through an innovative mitigation plan, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission transferred dredged sediment from the port to this tract, in the process building a thriving marsh and man-made tidal creek that’s perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and bird watching. Complete with kayak launch and fishing pier, the park elegantly connects the bustling port with the otherworldly serenity of Louisiana’s wetlands.
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Photo courtesy of Louisiana's Cajun Bayou
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Photo by Louisiana's Cajun Bayou
Coastal Wetlands Park
Easy Cruising from Thibodaux to Raceland
For more paddling escapes in Lafourche Parish, consider renting a kayak or paddleboard from Geaux Paddle (or bring your own) and launch into Bayou Lafourche at Nicholls Bayou Side Park across from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. Combine small-town charm with water recreation at Thibodaux’s Floating Dock & Boardwalk, where you can park your boat and disembark to explore downtown’s shops and restaurants. Take in more picturesque views of Bayou Lafourche at the Lafourche-Terrebonne Scenic Overlook in Raceland, where a floating dock awaits your watercraft.
So get ready for adventure. Grab your fishing gear! Pack that hat and sunscreen, and plan your next trip on the water in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou.
