11.4 LBD Shell Beaches at Mouth of Baptiste Collette Bayou - South Side

Paddlers will discover several outcroppings of shells along the south shore of Baptiste Collette Bayou. Any of these would make an excellent campsite with dry and firm footing. The waves hit hard here, though, so make sure to pull your vessel completely out of the water and at least three vertical feet above water level. Best plan would be to pull your vessel up to the top of these seashell shelves and tie them to vegetation behind. Dry camps here possible up to 3 VG.

11.5 LBD Baptiste Collette Bayou

(9 miles to reach Gulf of Mexico. Heavy traffic. Not recommended.)

• Fimbel Pass
• Emeline Pass
• Heavy Traffic
• Numerous Oil Derricks & Platforms

Everyone know that the Mississippi River flows south to the Gulf of Mexico, right? Wrong! Not always anyway. The Mississippi flows towards all points of the compass in its 2300 mile journey. Now, as if intent on dispelling this myth of the southerly flowing river, here at its first major pass it turns a 180 degree half donut spin back to the north, and spills its muddy guts northward into Breton Sound!

Baptiste Collette Bayou is your first big pass splintering off the Lower Mississippi River. You have been paddling past other passes and canals leading to the ocean, but none this big, and none with this size of traffic. Baptiste Collette is heavily used by crew ships and supply vessels for the hundreds of derricks and oil platforms scattered through this part of Breton Sound. Watch for fast moving vessels with sleek prows carving the water, and big waves following. They normally slow down for smaller craft, but they don’t always see you.

If you are comfortable with waves and heavy traffic you could paddle 9 miles down Baptiste Collette Bayou to reach the open waters of Breton Sound. There are many beaches towards the end of Baptiste Collette, but they are difficult to get to. We do not recommend ending your trip here. But if you insist, your best plan would be to go to Google Earth and closely inspect route first for best navgation and turnaround place.

-1.9 RBD Emeline Pass

1.9 miles down Baptiste Collette you can turn into Emeline Pass and paddle another 6 miles to Gulf via Breton Sound, but be forewarned, no sandy beaches are to be found.

-2.5 RBD Fimbel Pass

Fimbel Pass is found 2.5 miles Baptiste Collette Bayou. You can paddle down Fimbel Pass 5 miles to reach Breton Sound, but it is very busy with oil industry traffic, and there are no beaches.

-6 to -8 Baptiste Collette Jetty

From -6 to -8 a long jetty lines both sides of Baptiste Collette Bayou making it very dangerous for paddlers, and impossible to reach beaches and points of interest behind.

10.5 The Jump: Entrance to the Venice Harbor

(1 mile to Tiger Pass, 1 mile down Tiger Pass to takeout at Cypress Cove Marina Boat Ramp, or go 1 mile further to Venice Marina Boat Ramp)

Paddlers seeking the last possible public boat ramp for connection back to land should enter the Grand Pass through “The Jump” and then into Tiger Pass, continue another mile and make your ultimate landing at either Cypress Cove Marina or the Venice Marina. Food and lodging available at both. $10 launch or landing fee at Venice Marina. No charge at Cypress Cove. Keep reading below for more information.

Directions to the Marinas in Tiger Pass:

One mile down Grand Pass, bear right at Tiger Pass. One mile further will bring you to Cypress Cover Marina, an oasis for paddlers and fishermen in the otherwise very industrial Venice waterfront. Look for the third major opening to a harbor, just below a fish cleaning station and then a narrow row of fishing condos. Cypress Cove Marina would the best place to tell your ride to meet you for your return home after your Mississippi River trip (whether you paddle back from the Gulf, or hitch a ride with a powerboat). Cypress Cove is closer (by a mile) and there is no charge. Venice Marina is larger, busier, and there is a $10 charge for boat ramp use.

Cypress Cove Marina
235 Cypress Cove Rd
Venice, LA 70091
cypresscovevenice.com
504-534-9289

Venice Marina is another mile beyond Cypress Cove. Continue down Tiger Pass to where it splits at a T-intersection. Go right (SW) and take the first opening on right bank descending into the Venice Marina. The boat ramps are located in far NE corner. If you would like you can find food and arrange overnight accommodations here. Inquire at the Marina store, or visit website listed below for reservations.

Venice Marina
237 Sports Marina Rd.
Venice, LA 70091-4437
info@venicemarina.com
504-534-9357
http://www.venicemarina.com