Chandeleur Island Light

Chandeleur Island Light stands on the remote Chandeleur Islands, a barrier island chain off Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. Built in 1848, it served as a vital navigational aid for ships traversing the Mississippi Sound. The lighthouse endured hurricanes, Civil War damage, and decades of coastal erosion before being deactivated. Hurricane Katrina destroyed the remaining structure in 2005, leaving only its foundation visible at low tide. The lighthouse is not open to the public and cannot be climbed. The islands are accessible only by boat, making golden-hour photography from the water the best approach, particularly during calm fall months. Nearby, the Chandeleur Islands support exceptional fishing, birding, and the Breton National Wildlife Refuge.