Ten Ways to Get In or Near the Water

When the Louisiana heat is blazing down, being in or near the water is the best way to cool off. From swamp boats to sandy beaches, the northshore’s endless waterways host an array of activities to create a cool, summer-day agenda. So, grab the sunscreen, a towel and bring the whole family for a water-filled adventure.

1. PADDLE BOARDING

Fun for all ages, stand-up paddle boarding has been growing rapidly on the northshore. Adventure on your own by renting a paddle and board from Brooks Bike Shop in Covington or the Abita Board Barn and paddle the Tchefuncte and Bogue Falaya rivers and out on Lake Pontchartrain.

2. SPLASHING

The northshore campgrounds offer great pools, as well as river swimming at Land-OPines in Covington, where there are also picnic areas, fishing ponds, campsites and cabin rentals, arcades and more. Enjoy a sweet and retro

getaway that emphasizes family fun and making memories. Splash pads can be found at Coquille Park, Fontainebleau State Park, at the Mandeville lakefront and the trailheads in Mandeville and Abita Springs.

3. KAYAKING

With 80,000 acres of wildlife preserve on the northshore, kayaking the parish’s many waterways offers a great opportunity to get out in nature. You can rent a kayak from Canoe and Trail, which also offers guided tours of nearby waterways. Stay cool and book a sunset paddle. Also renting kayaks is Brooks’ Bike Shop in downtown Covington and in Mandeville.

4. TUBING

Get cool, get wet on the Bogue Chitto, popular for tubing your cares away. Several operators, including Louisiana River Adventures and the Bogue Chitto Tubing Center offer tubing trips, including tube rental, life vests, and shuttles. Some rent special tubes for ice chests, too. Great fun for families and groups of friends.

5. SANDY BEACH

Families love the little sandy beach along the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline in Mandeville’s Fontainebleau State Park. The calm, shallow water is perfect for small children. Also on the grounds of the 2,800-acre park are the ruins of an 1829 sugar mill, trails, camping areas, a lodge and many large and lovely oak trees. Park admission is $3 per person, free for seniors 62+ and children 3 and under. Head to the east side of Lakeshore Drive, parallel to Lake Pontchartrain in Mandeville, to discover the ideally located sandy beach to enjoy the sunset or catch some rays as the kids hangout on the playground. And in Slidell, check out the powdery sand of Northshore Beach, great for family picnics with its two pavilions and picnic tables.

6. SWAMP TOURS

Several operators offer tours of the Honey Island Swamp, a pristine natural area located between the east and west Pearl rivers. See alligators, large bird life, wild boar and other creatures of the swamp. Most of the tours take about two hours and give a great glimpse into the history, folklore, and ecology of this special and beautiful place. Most tours are in large, covered tour boats; check out Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tours and Cajun Encounters for their availability. Get even closer to wildlife on the water with New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tour, Honey Island Kayak Tours, and Canoe and Trail Adventures.

7. CHARTER FISHING

St. Tammany Parish is home to a baker’s dozen of fishing charters, offering adventures out on lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain and in the fish- rich waters of the Rigolets. Catch redfish, speckled trout and triple-tail with knowledgeable pros who take you where the fish are biting. Most charters leave out of Slidell, on the east side of the parish.

8. SAILING WE WILL GO

Get out on Lake Pontchartrain with Capt. Rick Delaune and Delaune’s Sailing Charters, which offers sailing charters (and lessons, too) aboard a 42-foot sailboat, the Windward Passage. Choose between the Midday Trip with beverages and snacks served or a Sunset Sail with Champagne and chocolates. Delaune’s has a 5-star rating with TripAdvisor, having received the Certificate of Excellence in 2017, and is consistently ranked #1 in Things to Do in Mandeville. It is also a top-rated attraction with Expedia. Delaune’s sails out from Prieto Marina on Bayou Castine.

9. CRABBING ALONG LAKE ROAD

Crabbing in summer has long been a favorite South Louisiana pastime. It doesn’t require any real skill, just patience and maybe a bait—chicken necks, yum. Some people bait large, round crab nets, throw them out into the water and check periodically for crabs that may have foolishly scuttled aboard. Other folks prefer baited hand lines that they throw out and hold till they feel a nibble. The key is to very s-l-o-w-l-y pull the line toward you while quietly wielding a net with which to scoop up the nibbling crab. Lake Road in Lacombe is popular with families who set up lawn chairs and ice chests and try their luck with the area’s delicious blue crabs.

10. PONTOON PLEASURE

Two charming captains, Mike Jones of Louisiana Tours and Adventures and Rob Rouyer of Tchefuncte River Charters, offer tours of the scenic Tchefuncte River on their pontoon boats, so bring your family or group of friends on their big ol’ boats for a fun day on the water and a trip out to view the 1837 Tchefuncte River Lighthouse.