Located primarily in the southern reaches of Louisiana, the bayou is a defining feature of this unique part of America. The bayou is home to many people living in the Pelican State as well as to an abundance of wildlife. Perfect for the whole family, our team will help you have an amazing experience whether you are a seasoned salt-water fisherman or have never cast a line before in your life. Plus you can stay in our cabins and enjoy the ultimate on-the-water experience in our Bayou Airboat Tour!
Unlike the rest of Louisiana, bayou life has its own pace and culture while often remaining much of a mystery to most Americans.
The name: Bayou. The name “bayou” is even native to Louisiana. According to the Famous Wonders website, the term “bayou” is believed to have originated from “bayuk,” a word meaning “small stream” in a local Native American tongue. These marshes or wetland areas move very slowly and make ideal homes for creatures like alligators, crawfish and catfish — all of which are popular bayou foods.
Disappearing Bayous. The bayous are unfortunately disappearing. Since the 1930s, the coast of Louisiana has lost 1,900 square miles of marshes and coastal wetlands. This is an area the size of Delaware that has been swallowed up by the Gulf of Mexico. Despite recent efforts to reduce the erosion of the bayou, Louisiana still loses about an acre of land every 33 minutes.
The Bayou As A Protector. Many people do not understand the importance of the bayou, not only as a natural habitat for many species of animals, but also as a protector of inland areas. Cities like New Orleans are under an increasing threat from hurricanes as a result of coastal erosion. When the bayous shrink, it means the storm surge from tropical storms and hurricanes can reach further inland. These storm surges can result in greater flooding. An example of this effect was apparent when the levees were overrun by Hurricane Katrina’s storm surge in 2005.
