Hey guys, will be visiting NOLA in mid November for a few days. While I'm down there, I would like to visit a nice, clean beach as I've never been to the gulf area. The nearest "beach I see is inBiloxi,but I keep reading that it's dirty water and some reviews said they had closures due to algae. Definitely don't want to go down there and experience a closed beach. Any recommendations on beaches nearby. I'm willing to drive a couple of hours if worth the drive. Thanks In Advance.
Report inappropriate content
Pyxie
Hermitage, Tennessee
Level
1. Re: nice clean beach near New Orleans?
3 years ago
Save
I haven't been toBiloxi in years, so i can't comment on the water, but it always seemed nice when I went. I've been many times since I'm from Mississippi originally.
I guess the next closest may be Gulf Shores, but how long your trip is would determine whether you'd want to make that drive.
Keep in mind mid-November is going to be too cold at any of these beaches to get in the water.
Report inappropriate content
The_Loup_Garou
Phoenix, Arizona
Level
2. Re: nice clean beach near New Orleans?
3 years ago
Save
The MS Gulf Coast was hit hard, when the Bonne Carre Spillway between the MS River, andLake Pontchartrain was opened, due to very high river levels, some months ago. All of the silt, and fresh water caused issues.
Now, while we enjoy the beaches along the MS Gulf Coast (I gre up in Gulfport), I have never been fond of the water, due to the silt and clay, flowing into Mississippi Sound - fed by many streams and rivers.
I agree with Gulf Shores/Orange Beach being the closest beaches with clear water. Off of Gulfport/Biloxi, one needs to go to Ship Island (via excursion boat), to get to the Gulf of Mexico.
Now, but even farther to the East, probably the ultimate is Destin, FL.
Enjoy,
Hunt
Report inappropriate content
etude
New Orleans...
Level
3. Re: nice clean beach near New Orleans?
3 years ago
Save
I grew up in South Alabama so I'm partial to the beaches either inGulf Shores, Ala., and in particular Pensacola Beach, Fla. We visited a few of the MS beaches about 2 years ago and we were both disappointed. They were not dirty, in fact they were well groomed. But the water wasn't clear emerald green & there were no waves whatsoever like I'm used to further east. The MS waterfront seemed very pond-like. Maybe just drive and stop to check out the areas. :-) Take I10 out of NOLA then cut over to Hwy 90 somewhere near Bay St. Louis. Then you can view the beaches from your car once you get near Pass Christian.
Report inappropriate content
Peripatetic_Engineer
New Orleans...
Level
4. Re: nice clean beach near New Orleans?
3 years ago
Save
You will have to go east of Mobile Bay to find clear water. That will be at least a 3 hour drive.
Report inappropriate content
kittymommy
Atlanta, Georgia
Level
5. Re: nice clean beach near New Orleans?
3 years ago
Save
I agree with the other posters. Last time we were inBiloxi the water was not that pretty. Not clear like the rest of the Gulf. We vacation every year in Panama City Beach. That's almost 5 hours away. But Pensacola is beautiful if you want to see nice gulf coast water and that's about 3 1/2 hours away. And also like others said, November is too cold to go into the Gulf.
Edited: 3 years agoReport inappropriate content
dweebe
Saint Louis...
Level
6. Re: nice clean beach near New Orleans?
3 years ago
Save
Not to pile on: but you need to go east ofMobile for good beaches. Gulf Shores/Orange Beach is your best call.
3 hour drive each way with no stops or traffic. More realistic time is 3:30 to 4 hours.
Report inappropriate content
FairwaySkipper
Birmingham, Alabama
Level
7. Re: nice clean beach near New Orleans?
3 years ago
Save
If you are used to Pacific water it may not be too cold for you. We just returned from Blue Mountain on Monday and there were a lot of people swimming inthe Gulf. The water and beaches are typically beautiful at that time of year. Anywhere from Orange Beach heading east to slightly past Panama City. Unfortunately, Panama City is still recovering from last years devastating Hurricane.
The pan handle is a lovely area and worth the trip is you have time.
Report inappropriate content
david12sc
Torrance, California
Level
8. Re: nice clean beach near New Orleans?
3 years ago
Save
Thank you for the replies. Yeah, I was certain the water wouldn't be warm, but I live in the Pacific coast where we always have cold water beaches. It would still be nice to see the gulf coast since it would be my first time in the south. I had seenPensacola and Destin mentioned before. I wouldn't mind driving ( I enjoy exploring new places). That would just add more adventures to the trip!! Thanks again!
Report inappropriate content
katieinla
New Orleans...
Level
9. Re: nice clean beach near New Orleans?
3 years ago
Save
You might want to go down into Plaquemines Parish in Louisiana, visitlouisianacoast.com . It's a wilder experience than going over to Mississippi and Alabama. Or St. Bernard Parish/ Delacroix. I enjoyed walking at JeanLafitte Barataria Preserve, there is a boardwalk over the bayou.
Report inappropriate content
Cambridgtravler
New Orleans...
Level
10. Re: nice clean beach near New Orleans?
3 years ago
Save
The water just east ofNew Orleans isn't dirty, in the sense of being polluted. It is full of silt from the great volume of water that comes out of the Mississippi River and so appears very brown. The water doesn't clear up until you get east of Mobile. There are nice beaches in several places including Pass Christian with white sand. Beaches are sometimes closed for bacteria but beaches in Florida are also sometimes closed for bacteria or algae. Not likely to happen in November.