Where do we meet the charter?

Meet at The Pointe: 118 Harborview Ct Slidell, Louisiana 70458. The crew will load gear and depart according to the itinerary.

Can I swim from the boat?

Yes—Float Fest centers on shallow water and sandbars. Guests may swim at their own risk; follow crew instructions for safe entry and exit.

Are drinks and food provided?

Food and beverages are typically not included. Bring your own cooler and check any operator policies on alcohol or catering before booking.

Is there restroom access?

Charters vary; ask the operator about onboard restroom facilities or nearest dock options when booking.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

The captain monitors conditions and can delay or return to dock for safety. Confirm refund or reschedule policies with the operator at booking.

How many people fit on the charter?

Group size listed is 26; confirm final guest count and safety limits with the operator when reserving.

Float Fest 2026: Lake Pontchartrain's Floating Concert Experience

Float Fest 2026 at Lake Pontchartrain delivers one of the Gulf Coast's most electric on-water gatherings, and Float Fest 2026 - The Lazy Gator offers a seat at the center of it. Meet at 118 Harborview Ct Slidell, Louisiana 70458, where your captain will load coolers and guide your private charter across shallow, brackish water to the Crab Trap Island sandbar and the festival’s floating concert stage. Anchored boats ring the stage, inflatables drift in the shallows, and bands play through the heat of a long Louisiana day.

This charter experience is tailored for groups who want the festival’s energy without the fuss of trailering, launching, or navigating crowded channels. Instead of parking onshore, you arrive by boat, slide into a calm anchorage, and enjoy direct access to the stage and swimming areas. The Lazy Gator crew handles positioning and safety while you relax with friends, picnic on deck, and hop onto inflatables for quick swims. Local musicians, midday breezes, and the smell of salt and sunscreen create an unmistakably coastal soundtrack.

Natural features shape the day: the sandbar itself, shallow turquoise shallows, patches of marsh grass, and nearby oyster beds that define the bay floor. Birdlife—especially pelicans and shorebirds—frequent the shallows, and dolphins sometimes weave through the anchored fleet. Expect an estuarine setting rather than open ocean surf; the water is often calm, warm, and excellent for wading or floating.

Practical itinerary notes are simple. Typical timing begins with a morning meet at The Pointe in Slidell, a late morning arrival at the festival site, multiple hours of music and swimming, and an early evening return to dock. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, ample water, secure dry storage for phones, and a cooler with food and beverages. Follow the crew’s instructions for entering the water; the charter’s disclaimer highlights that guests swim at their own risk once away from the vessel.

Why book this charter? It turns a busy boating festival into an organized day with expert navigation and prime positioning, making it easier to celebrate birthdays, bachelor or bachelorette parties, or a big summer reunion. The experience taps into Northshore boating culture and places you at a unique meeting point between live music and coastal nature.

Float Fest is social, musical, and unmistakably local—book a charter for the convenience and the front-row access, and spend the day afloat where the water, music, and community meet.

Onboard hospitality often includes shade, seating, and dry storage; ask the operator about restroom options and cooler policies before booking. Weather can change quickly on the lake—check forecasts the morning of departure. Booking early secures the best pick-up time and ensures your group docks at The Pointe before other charters depart for the festival safely.

About Beyond the French Quarter

Beyond the French Quarter is a Lafitte, Louisiana tour company delivering authentic bayou and swamp experiences near New Orleans. The company offers a range of guided trips including bayou day-and-night fishing adventures, charter fishing with on-board expertise, eco bayou tours with educational commentary, historic plantation visits, private kayak swamp excursions, and full-day birding tours.

Local captains lead the experiences: Captain Mike runs charter fishing and many guided angling trips, while Captain Pip guides eco and wildlife tours. Each trip highlights Louisiana species such as speckled trout, redfish, flounder, roseate spoonbills, herons, and native raptors, and showcases coastal marshes, cypress swamps, and tidal bayous.

Beyond the French Quarter partners with local restaurants for catch-and-cook experiences, providing authentic Creole-style preparation after charter trips. Plantation tours visit two historic estates and include discussions of architectural features, gardens, and the complex history of enslaved people associated with those sites.

The operation emphasizes safety and local knowledge, using licensed captains familiar with bayou navigation and seasonal wildlife patterns. Equipment and itinerary details are provided for each trip so guests know what to expect. Tours accommodate a range of interests and abilities from family-friendly kayak paddles to specialized bowfishing at night.

Visitors choose Beyond the French Quarter for direct access to Lafitte’s wetlands, expert local guides, and a variety of immersive outdoor experiences that connect nature, culture, and coastal Louisiana heritage. Booking information, seasonal availability, and pricing are available online or by phone; reservations are recommended for popular trips and private tours during peak seasons.