Houma - Things to Do in Houma in June

Things to Do in Houma in June

June weather, activities, events & insider tips

June Weather in Houma

31°C (88°F) High Temp
24°C (75°F) Low Temp
5 mm (0.2 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is June Right for You?

Advantages

  • Early summer weather before peak heat - temperatures at 31°C (88°F) are warm but manageable, especially mornings before 11am when locals do their outdoor activities. You'll avoid the oppressive 35°C+ (95°F+) days that come in July-August.
  • Minimal rainfall with only 5 mm (0.2 inches) across 10 days means brief afternoon sprinkles rather than sustained storms. Most rain happens between 3-5pm, clearing quickly. You won't lose full days to weather like you would during actual rainy season.
  • Low tourist season in Houma means shorter lines at popular spots, better availability at restaurants without reservations, and locals have more time to chat. Hotel rates typically run 20-30% below peak winter pricing.
  • Bayou water levels are ideal after spring rains but before summer evaporation - perfect for swamp tours where you'll actually see wildlife without boats scraping bottom or vegetation being too overgrown to navigate smaller channels.

Considerations

  • That 70% humidity is real and accumulates throughout the day. By afternoon, even locals are moving slower. If you're not used to Gulf Coast humidity, that 31°C (88°F) will feel closer to 35°C (95°F). Cotton clothes get damp and stay damp.
  • UV index of 8 means you're getting serious sun exposure even on cloudy days. Sunburn happens faster than you expect, especially on the water where reflection intensifies everything. Locals reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes, not just once in the morning.
  • Early hurricane season officially starts June 1st. While major storms are rare this early, the 2026 season is predicted to be active. Weather can shift quickly, and you'll want travel insurance that covers weather disruptions. Locals start watching forecasts more carefully after June 1st.

Best Activities in June

Bayou Swamp Tours

June hits the sweet spot for swamp tours in Houma. Water levels are up from spring rains so boats can access smaller channels and backwater areas that dry out by August. Alligators are highly active in this temperature range - they're hunting and sunning constantly. Early morning tours between 7-9am offer the best wildlife viewing before heat sends everything into shade. The cypress trees have full canopy coverage now, creating those dramatic light-and-shadow scenes you're looking for. Bring serious mosquito protection though - they're at peak population. Tours typically run 2-3 hours.

Booking Tip: Book swamp tours 7-10 days ahead during June low season. Morning slots fill first because locals know that's prime viewing time. Expect to pay 45-75 dollars per person for standard tours, 90-120 dollars for extended photography-focused trips. Look for operators with covered boats - that afternoon sun gets intense on open vessels. All legitimate operators are licensed by Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. Check current tour options in the booking section below.

Cajun and Creole Cooking Classes

June brings peak season for Louisiana blue crabs, and cooking classes focus heavily on crab boils, etouffee, and bisque right now. You'll work with ingredients at their freshest - corn is just coming in, tomatoes are perfect, and seafood is abundant. Classes run 3-4 hours and typically include market tours where you'll learn to select seafood like locals do. The humidity actually works in your favor here - it's too hot for heavy outdoor activities anyway, and you're in air-conditioned kitchens learning skills you'll use for years. Most classes end with family-style meals where you eat what you've prepared.

Booking Tip: Cooking classes in June have good availability since it's shoulder season. Book 5-7 days ahead to secure your preferred date. Prices range 75-120 dollars per person including ingredients and the meal. Morning classes starting around 9am let you avoid the afternoon heat spike. Look for classes that include market visits - that's where you learn the real insider knowledge about ingredient selection. See current cooking class options in the booking section below.

Fishing Charters in Terrebonne Parish

June is prime inshore fishing season. Redfish and speckled trout are feeding aggressively in the marshes and bayous as water temperatures hit their ideal range. The longer daylight hours mean you can book extended trips without starting at 5am. Tarpon start showing up in the barrier island areas for anglers wanting bigger game. Weather is generally stable with those brief afternoon showers that actually improve fishing as they cool surface temperatures. Even if you're not keeping fish, catch-and-release is excellent right now. Half-day charters run 4-5 hours, full days are 8 hours.

Booking Tip: Charter fishing books up faster than you'd expect, even in low season. Reserve 10-14 days ahead, especially for weekend dates. Half-day inshore charters typically run 400-600 dollars for up to 4 people, full days 700-900 dollars. All reputable captains are US Coast Guard licensed and carry proper insurance. June pricing is about 15% below peak winter rates. Early morning trips starting 6-7am avoid the afternoon heat. Check current charter availability in the booking section below.

Wetlands Wildlife Refuges and Birding

Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding wetlands are excellent in June for birding and wildlife photography. Summer resident birds are nesting, and you'll see roseate spoonbills, reddish egrets, and various heron species in breeding plumage - the colors are dramatically better than winter. Early morning visits between 6:30-9am offer the best activity and light. The refuges provide boardwalks and observation platforms that keep you out of the worst mosquito zones. Bring serious telephoto lenses if you're photographing - wildlife keeps distance. Plan 2-3 hours for a thorough visit. The visitor centers are air-conditioned refuges when you need to cool down.

Booking Tip: Wildlife refuges don't require advance booking - just show up during daylight hours. Entrance is typically free or minimal (5-10 dollars per vehicle). However, if you want guided naturalist tours, book those 5-7 days ahead through local environmental education organizations. Guided walks run 25-40 dollars per person and last 2-3 hours. Rent or bring binoculars - the visitor centers sometimes loan them but availability varies. The refuges are 20-30 minutes drive from central Houma. See current guided nature tour options in the booking section below.

Shrimping and Oystering Experiences

June is active season for Louisiana's seafood industry, and several operations offer hands-on experiences where you actually work the nets or tongs alongside commercial fishermen. You'll learn how shrimp boats operate, help sort the catch, and understand the ecosystem that makes Louisiana seafood famous. These aren't polished tourist productions - you're getting on working boats with crews who've done this for generations. Expect 3-4 hours on the water, and yes, you'll get wet and smell like shrimp. The educational value is substantial though, and you typically take home several pounds of fresh seafood. Morning trips are more comfortable temperature-wise.

Booking Tip: Working boat experiences require advance booking since they're coordinating with actual fishing schedules. Reserve 10-14 days ahead. Costs run 80-120 dollars per person including the seafood you take home. These trips operate weather-dependent - captains will reschedule if conditions aren't safe. Wear clothes and shoes you don't mind ruining with saltwater and fish guts. Some operations have minimum age requirements around 12 years old. Check current availability for shrimping experiences in the booking section below.

Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center Events and Festivals

June typically sees local festivals celebrating Cajun culture, though specific events vary year to year. The civic center and downtown areas host music festivals, seafood celebrations, and cultural events that draw regional crowds but remain authentically local rather than tourist-focused. These are where you'll hear actual Cajun French being spoken, see traditional accordion and fiddle music, and eat food prepared by church groups and family organizations rather than commercial vendors. Events usually run Friday evening through Sunday, with Saturday being the main day. Admission is typically free or minimal (5-10 dollars), with costs going toward food and drinks.

Booking Tip: Check the Houma-Terrebonne Tourist Commission website in April-May 2026 for confirmed June festival dates - schedules aren't set more than 2-3 months ahead. No advance tickets needed for most events, just show up. Parking fills up by late morning on Saturdays, so arrive before 10am or use rideshare services. Bring cash - many vendors don't take cards. Food prices run 8-15 dollars per plate. These events happen rain or shine with tents and covered areas. See current event schedules and related tour options in the booking section below.

June Events & Festivals

Early June

Blessing of the Fleet

This traditional Catholic ceremony blesses the shrimp boats and fishing vessels for the season. Decorated boats parade through the bayou while a priest blesses each vessel. It's a genuine cultural tradition, not a tourist show, and offers real insight into how deeply connected fishing culture and faith are in Cajun communities. The event includes food vendors, live music, and family activities. Free to attend and deeply photogenic.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or packable poncho - those 10 rainy days mean brief showers averaging 20-30 minutes, usually between 3-5pm. You want something that stuffs into a daypack, not a full raincoat that you'll carry around sweating all morning.
SPF 50+ sunscreen in 3-ounce travel bottles - UV index of 8 means you're getting burned even through light cloud cover. Locals reapply every 90 minutes when outdoors. Water-resistant formula essential if you're doing swamp tours or fishing.
Breathable cotton or linen clothing, absolutely avoid polyester - that 70% humidity means synthetic fabrics turn into sweat traps. Locals wear loose-fitting cotton button-ups and linen pants. Dark colors hide the inevitable sweat stains better than light colors.
Closed-toe water shoes or old sneakers you don't mind destroying - you'll be walking on wet boat decks, muddy banks, and potentially through shallow water. Flip-flops are useless and potentially dangerous. Locals wear old running shoes they're ready to throw away.
Serious bug spray with 25-30% DEET minimum - mosquitoes in the wetlands are aggressive and numerous in June. That natural citronella stuff doesn't cut it here. Apply before leaving your hotel, not when you're already being eaten alive on the bayou.
Wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap with neck coverage - sun exposure accumulates fast on the water where there's no shade. Those fishing hats with the flap that covers your neck look dorky but locals wear them for good reason.
Small dry bag for electronics and valuables - between the humidity, brief rain showers, and water activities, your phone and wallet need protection. A 5-liter dry bag costs 15-20 dollars and saves you from destroyed electronics.
Extra pairs of socks and underwear beyond what you'd normally pack - that humidity means clothes don't dry overnight in hotel rooms like they would in drier climates. You'll want fresh socks daily, possibly twice daily.
Lightweight long pants and long-sleeve shirt for evening - mosquitoes are most active at dusk, and you'll want coverage for outdoor dining or evening activities. The thin hiking pants that zip off into shorts work well here.
Small towel for wiping sweat - locals carry bandanas or small towels because that humidity means you're constantly damp. Having something to wipe your face and neck makes you much more comfortable throughout the day.

Insider Knowledge

Locals structure their June days around the heat - outdoor activities happen before 11am or after 5pm. That midday period from noon to 4pm is for air-conditioned museums, cooking classes, or just taking a break at your hotel. Fighting the afternoon heat is a losing battle that tourists try and locals know better.
The best seafood prices are at the docks where boats unload, not at restaurants. Drive down to the commercial docks around 2-4pm when boats return and you can buy directly from fishermen. Shrimp runs 4-6 dollars per pound, crabs 2-3 dollars each. Ask your hotel if they'll steam or boil your purchase - many will for a small fee.
June is when locals start seriously watching weather forecasts because hurricane season begins. Download the NOAA Weather Radio app and check it each morning. If a tropical system develops in the Gulf, even 5-7 days out, locals start preparing. You should too - have a plan for cutting your trip short if necessary.
The Cajun French you'll hear spoken isn't the French you learned in school - it's a distinct dialect that even France French speakers struggle with. Don't be embarrassed if you can't understand it despite knowing French. Locals appreciate any attempt to use basic Cajun phrases though - learn 'comment ca va' and 'merci beaucoup' and you'll get warmer reception.

Avoid These Mistakes

Trying to pack too many activities into afternoon hours - tourists burn out fighting the 31°C (88°F) heat and 70% humidity when they could just schedule around it. That 2-5pm window is genuinely uncomfortable for outdoor activities. Locals know this and structure their days accordingly.
Underestimating how much water you need - that humidity means you're sweating constantly even when you don't feel hot. Tourists end up dehydrated with headaches by afternoon. Carry a water bottle everywhere and drink before you feel thirsty. Locals go through 3-4 liters daily in June.
Wearing nice shoes or sandals on swamp tours - you're getting on boats with wet decks, walking on muddy banks, and potentially stepping in standing water. Those cute sandals or white sneakers will be ruined. Wear shoes you're prepared to throw away afterward, like locals do with their designated 'swamp shoes'.

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