5 Best Places For Kayaking In New Orleans, Louisiana

kayaking in new orleans
Joe
Joe 
Updated
| 3 min read

Located in the Southeastern region of the United States, New Orleans is a beautiful city nestled on the banks of the roaring Mississipi River. From the scenic views of the cityscapes to the picturesque ambiance emanating from the opulent French Quarter, New Orleans is one of the world’s most sought-after touristy cities considered to be an eclectic melting point of fascinating cultures and intriguing traditions. Some of the best places to visit in New Orleans include Bourbon Street, which plays host to the famous Mardi Gras festival. A city with ample exciting things to do, come and take a look at some of the best places for kayaking in New Orleans, Louisiana.

1. Bayou St. John

Bayou St. John in from Florida Avenue, New Orleans, Aug 2018 B
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Infrogmation of N... used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you are a watersport buff with a thing for kayaking and you’re looking for a place in Louisiana to put your skills to test, then make your way to Bayou St. John for an elating kayaking experience. A scenic place, nestled in a picturesque neighborhood, just a stone’s throw away from Fairgrounds, this beautiful bayou offers you ample activities and is not limited to kayaking. You can also go picnicking with family. Rent a kayak or a paddleboard and get into the waters.

Bayou St. John

Address: New Orleans, LA 70122, USA

Visited this place?

2. New Orleans City Park

City Park New Orleans
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mr. Littlehand used under CC BY 2.0

Kayaking is unquestionably a fun-filled watersport activity that can be enjoyed with friends and family. There is no better place in New Orleans to get your daily dose of kayaking action compared to New Orleans City Park. Nestled conveniently in the heart of the city, this beautiful historic park offers kayakers a chance to enjoy paddling in the calm waters of the astounding pond. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or an experienced kayaker, this picturesque oasis offers you a scenic place to enjoy the thrilling sport. The alluring park features lush, sprawling surroundings covered in tall historic oaks and picturesque canopies, where you can enjoy kayaking in style.

New Orleans City Park

Address: 1 Palm Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124, United States

Website: New Orleans City Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

3. Honey Island Swamp

Honey Island Swamp, Louisiana, USA
Source: Photo by user Paul Mannix used under CC BY 2.0

Sitting in an open, narrow kayak, padding in the deep waters of the pristine Honey Island can be a nerve-racking adventure compared to sailing in bigger boats. But for most tourists, it is these small kayaking boats that bring them to the Honey Island Swamp located in the Eastern portion of the state of Louisiana. Named after honeybees that were once seen along the isle, Honey Island Swamp is considered by many to be one of the most pristine swampland habitats in the country and a favorite kayaking spot, especially for staunch outdoor lovers, who will fall head over heels for the swamp’s primitive beauty.

Honey Island Swamp

Address: 41490 Crawford Landing Rd, Slidell, LA 70461, United

Website: Honey Island Swamp

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

Visited this place?

4. Cane Bayou

Bayou Cane - panoramio (1)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user BSwank used under CC BY 3.0

If you consider yourself a kayaker and you are yet to go on a kayaking adventure on the calm waters of Cane Bayou, in New Orleans, then you have to do it pronto. A natural beauty, Cane Bayou is one of the least altered bayous in the state of Louisiana, running from the Northshore in between Mandeville and Lacombe eventually flowing into Lake Pontchartrain. To immerse yourself in this heady experience, reserve a date to kayak at Cane Bayou. You can kayak your way through the fascinating biomes as you feast your eyes on New Orlean’s fascinating marine life.

Cane Bayou

Address: Parish Governing Authority District 7, LA 70445, USA

Website: Cane Bayou

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

5. Manchac Swamp

Manchac Bridge
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Melanie Commander... used under CC BY 3.0

Its often said that a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, is not at all complete without a visit to the iconic Manchac Swamp. A must-visit location, especially, for staunch outdoor lovers, with a thing for watersport activities, Manchac Swamp Bridge is considered to be one of the longest bridges in the world over water, and one of the longest bridges in the Interstate Highway system, stretching a total length of 23 miles (37 kilometers). The beautiful swamp has long been a popular part of the area due to its unique pristine habitat and scenic surroundings, which make it the ideal spot for a remarkable kayaking adventure.

Manchac Swamp

Address: Ponchatoula, LA 70454, United States

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

Best kayaking spots in New Orleans, Louisiana

With this list that outlines some of the best kayaking spots and venues in New Orleans, Louisiana, you are spoilt for choice and guaranteed to have fun-filled kayaking experience. Book your vacation in this city and enjoy a fantastic water activity like never before.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

A seasoned travel journalist, Thomson Joe is a free spirit with a fiery need for discovery and exploration of new attractions, culture, and heritage. With a passion for travel writing that can be...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore New Orleans
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.