Searching for Pinky at Cameron

Pinky’s not hard to spot. The albino bottlenose dolphin was birthed a bright Pepto-Bismol color due to a lack of the pigment melanin. She frequents the Calcasieu Ship Channel and surrounding waterways below Lake Charles, sometimes traveling as far down as the Gulf. This is why there’s a statue to the darling of social media at Lighthouse Bend, a new restaurant, market and marina in Cameron. But Pinky is only one reason to make the trek down to Cameron Parish and Louisiana’s Gulf beaches. This time of year, those Gulf waters are calling!

Holly Beach

Once called the “Cajun Riviera,” Holly Beach has been transformed after hurricanes pummeled the area. Rustic camps still exist but newly built, raised accommodations dot the landscape as well, many offered as rentals. The beach is one of six beaches on the west side of the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road and ideal for fishing, shell collecting and bird watching. Bring your dog; Holly Beach is pet friendly.

Photo by Kathryn Shea Duncan

Rutherford Beach

Where Holly Beach lies just west of the town of Cameron, easily accessible off Louisiana Highway 82, Rutherford Beach lies east. Visitors must travel through Creole and down Rutherford Beach Road to hit Gulf sand and water. And it’s so worth the drive. Rutherford’s more rustic — no facilities — so it’s an ideal spot to catch crabs and fish, spot wildlife and find unique seashells, especially after storms and during low tides. Rutherford’s also pet friendly and visitors may camp for free directly on the sand.

Lighthouse Bend

The newest addition to Cameron is Lighthouse Bend, an RV resort, fully stocked market that includes many Louisiana products, a 14-slip marina with fueling and fish-cleaning stations and a restaurant overlooking Calcasieu Pass where lucky visitors may spot Pinky. There’s even an open-air event pavilion for special events. And yes, you can take a photo with Pinky — the statue, that is — to post on Instagram.