Everyone Always Goes to Grand Isle Beach in Louisiana: Go Here Instead

Louisiana isn’t known for its pristine beaches, like some of our neighboring states. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t sandy shores and Gulf waters to enjoy. In fact, Grand Isle Beach is one of Louisiana’s most popular beaches. With miles of shorelines, nearby restaurants and hotels, and a state park boasting hiking trails and RV camping, thousands visit every year. Yet Holly Beach in Cameron Parish, ranked among the top 10 Gulf Coast beaches by Travel+Leisure, remains a quieter spot. That’s because Holly Beach, arguably the best hidden beach in Louisiana, is an undeveloped oasis near the border of Texas, far from popular tourist areas. If you’re seeking a crowd-free escape for beachcombing, shelling, and waterfront camping, we think it’s the best in the state.  

Why Grand Isle Beach Gets More Visitors

Grand Isle Beach is located on Grand Isle, an inhabited barrier island on the Gulf and one of Louisiana’s best small towns to visit. The Louisiana tourism site describes the beach here as the “holy grail of Louisiana Gulf Coast beaches.” Can you really compete with that? As a tourist destination, on a busy summer day, locals and visitors will be fishing, paddling, boating, shelling, and sunbathing on the Gulf.

Plus, there are hotels, marinas, and multiple access points along the island, including one at Grand Isle State Park, often mentioned as one of the top state parks in Louisiana. Moreover, the barrier island hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, the longest-running fishing tournament in the country. So, naturally, when the barrier island is buzzing with visitors, the beach will get some of that overflow as well.  

Why You Should Visit Holly Beach Instead

If you want a beach destination with lots of amenities, this isn’t it. Unlike Grand Isle Beach, you won’t find bustling marinas, hiking trails, boardwalks, fishing piers, or a state park built around Holly Beach in Cameron Parish. Instead, it’s a more laid-back spot with miles of undeveloped shorelines that feel like you’re on your own private island. It’s mostly known as a stopover for road trippers from Texas or anyone cruising along the Creole Nature Trail, a 200-mile self-guided driving tour that winds along 25 miles of Gulf shores. So, even on warm summer days, you might have this beach all to yourself, and if you ask me, that makes it worth a trip. 

What Makes This Beach Better

Holly Beach might not get promoted as a tourist destination like Grand Isle Beach, but it offers something that you can only find at a few beaches in Louisiana: drive-on beach access AND oceanfront camping. This means that anyone stopping in the area can find a spot right on the sand and set up without lugging their gear across a parking lot. 

Imagine sleeping under the wide-open sky, hearing the ebb and flow of the ocean waves, then waking up and strolling along the uncrowded shoreline while hunting for seashells. If you want to catch redfish or speckled trout, you can do that. If you want to go crabbing, you can do that, too. Or if you simply want to sit and watch the waves, or the shorebirds frolic by the water, you can do all that, as well. 

Although the beach isn’t known for swimming (due to high levels of bacteria), when conditions are ideal, consider dipping your feet in the ocean. Then, enjoy a snack on the beach before circling back with another stroll, and finish your day by watching as the setting sun glows over the ocean waters. And if you get lucky, you can do all that without hearing or seeing another human for miles. It’s really like having an entire beach to yourself, making Holly Beach desirable for anyone looking to peacefully unplug for a couple of days.    

What to Know Before You Visit Holly Beach

It will take some planning to enjoy this underrated beach in Louisiana. Since the beach is rustic with limited facilities and the closest restaurants and modern amenities are miles away, bring everything you need, whether you’re here for a day or longer. And I shouldn’t have to say this, but keep our beaches clean by leaving nothing behind and always follow the posted rules. The beach is pet-friendly, so bring your fur baby along to comb the quiet shorelines with you. As mentioned, the water isn’t always safe for swimming, and I’d advise checking the conditions on the Swim Guide website before planning your trip. 

So, is Holly Beach worth the visit? I think so! It’s the kind of place where you don’t feel like you need to rush through your day. You can really just enjoy the slow-paced beach vibes in a rustic spot right on the ocean, with nothing but you and the rhythmic flow of nature. And after your visit, carve out some time to check out Cameron, the hidden beach town in Louisiana, with wildlife refuges, local mom-and-pop restaurants, and friendly folks. And you can use the Cameron Parish website to find more places to eat, play, and stay.