4 Water Sports in Louisiana You Have to Try
Say hello to summer! These paddling, tubing and kayaking ideas are perfect for warm, sunny days in Louisiana.
Cool off with these thrilling water sports in Louisiana.
1. Paddling & Kayaking in Louisiana
If you're near New Orleans, explore the waters of Bayou St. John with Bayou Paddlesports, which offers kayak, paddle board and canoe rentals. Pack & Paddle in Lafayette offers rentals, beginner kayaking classes, kayak swamp tours and kayak fishing trips. Love stand-up paddle boards (SUPs)? Rent a YOLO Board from Muddy Water Paddle Company in Baton Rouge and float on the calm waters of the LSU lakes. In Natchitoches, hop on a kayak, SUP or even a hydrobike from Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports. And in Monroe, check out Ouachita Paddle and Provisions for single and tandem kayak rentals, plus inflatable and solid paddle board rentals, and paddle along Black Bayou Lake.
2. Tubing in Louisiana
When you really want to chill, it’s hard to beat the relaxing vibe of floating down a river with friends. The Bogue Chitto River is a popular spot for tubing, and companies like Louisiana River Adventures and the Bogue Chitto Tubing Center offer trips down the river. In Denham Springs, check out Cajun Tubing & Kayaking for a float down the Amite River or Adventure Canoe & River Tubing Outfitters for a float down the Ouiska Chitto River.
3. Ride a Gondola in New Orleans
Blend the European charm of Venice, Italy, with the undeniable appeal of “America’s Most Romantic City” city and you get NOLA Gondola in New Orleans. You’ll enjoy a magical 50-minute trip aboard a hand-crafted Venetian gondola as it glides through breathtaking lagoons, along intimate waterways and under stone-arch bridges. With a former Venice gondolier as your guide, this ultra-authentic experience is as real as you can get this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
4. Explore a Louisiana State Park
Louisiana’s state parks are great locations for water sports, as the majority of them rest on a body of water. Whether it’s a leisurely paddle or exciting boating activities, there’s an activity available for every age and skill level. Many of Louisiana’s state parks even feature family-friendly splash pads for the little ones.
Find information on paddling trails, or check out our guide to kayaking and paddling across the state.
