Things to Do in Houma in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Houma
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Prime festival season with the Houma Indian Festival typically scheduled for late August, bringing authentic Native American cultural experiences with traditional dancing, crafts, and regional cuisine that you won't find the rest of the year
- Low tourist crowds compared to summer peak months - accommodation prices drop 20-30 percent from July highs, and you'll actually get tables at popular seafood restaurants without hour-long waits
- Peak Louisiana seafood season with blue crabs, shrimp, and redfish at their absolute best - local fishermen bring in daily catches and you'll pay 30-40 percent less than you would in tourist-heavy spring months
- Comfortable early mornings and evenings for outdoor activities - temperatures between 6am-9am hover around 24-26°C (75-79°F), perfect for fishing charters, swamp tours, and bayou exploration before the midday heat sets in
Considerations
- Afternoon heat and humidity can be genuinely uncomfortable between 1pm-4pm when it feels closer to 35-37°C (95-99°F) with that 70 percent humidity - you'll want to plan indoor activities or water-based tours during these hours
- Hurricane season is active through August, and while direct hits on Houma are relatively rare, you might deal with afternoon thunderstorms, occasional tropical weather systems passing through, or last-minute itinerary changes if a storm develops in the Gulf
- Mosquitoes and biting insects are persistent in bayou areas and wetlands - you'll go through insect repellent faster than you expect, and evening outdoor dining requires either screened areas or serious bug spray
Best Activities in August
Bayou Swamp Tours
August is actually ideal for swamp tours despite the heat - alligators are highly active in warm weather and you'll see significantly more wildlife than in cooler months. The cypress trees are fully canopied, providing natural shade, and water levels are typically stable after spring flooding has receded. Early morning tours departing between 7am-9am offer the best wildlife viewing and comfortable temperatures around 25-27°C (77-81°F). Tours run 90 minutes to 3 hours depending on route depth.
Fishing Charters
August brings some of the year's best inshore fishing - redfish, speckled trout, and flounder are actively feeding in the marshes and bayous. The longer daylight hours mean you can book either early morning charters departing at 5:30am-6am to avoid midday heat, or evening trips starting around 4pm when temperatures drop back to comfortable levels. Four-hour and six-hour charters are most common, with the catch often at its peak during August's warm water conditions.
Wetlands Wildlife Refuges and Boardwalks
The Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge and similar boardwalk areas are surprisingly pleasant in August if you go early - arrive right at opening around 6:30am-7am and you'll have boardwalks nearly to yourself with active bird life and cooler temperatures. By 10am it gets genuinely hot, but those first few hours offer some of the best photography conditions of the year with morning light filtering through Spanish moss. Plan 2-3 hours for a thorough walk.
Cajun and Creole Cooking Classes
August is peak season for local ingredients - blue crabs, Gulf shrimp, and fresh okra are all at their best, making it an ideal time for hands-on cooking experiences. These typically run 2-3 hours in air-conditioned kitchens, perfect for escaping midday heat while learning to make authentic gumbo, jambalaya, or crawfish étouffée. You'll eat what you cook, and most classes include recipe cards and ingredient sourcing tips.
Regional Museum and Cultural Center Tours
The Terrebonne Parish museums and cultural centers provide excellent air-conditioned refuge during the hottest afternoon hours while offering genuine insight into Cajun, Creole, and Native American heritage. August timing means you can pair museum visits with the Houma Indian Festival if your dates align. Plan 90 minutes to 2 hours per museum, and the smaller scale means you won't get the overwhelming crowds you'd find at New Orleans attractions.
Sunset and Evening Bayou Cruises
Evening cruises departing around 5:30pm-6pm catch the best light and most comfortable temperatures of the day - you'll see the bayou turn golden as the sun sets around 7:30pm-8pm in August. These tend to be more relaxed than morning wildlife tours, often including dinner or drinks, and the cooler evening air makes for genuinely pleasant time on the water. Most run 2-3 hours.
August Events & Festivals
Houma Indian Festival
This is the genuine article - a celebration of the United Houma Nation's heritage with traditional dancing, drumming, authentic crafts, and regional foods you won't find elsewhere. Expect alligator sauce piquante, Indian tacos, and handmade palmetto baskets. The festival typically draws locals rather than tourists, giving you an authentic cultural experience. Held outdoors, so plan for heat and humidity.