2018 Map of Hell Hole Bayou

About this map

Hell Hole Bayou winds through the coastal marshes of Iberia and Vermilion Parishes where the waters of Vermilion Bay meet the Gulf of Mexico. This coastal landscape is defined by its shifting sediment and intricate hydrography, featuring isolated landforms such as Deadman Island and Tojan Island. The maritime character of the region is punctuated by vital navigational markers and natural gateways, including Lighthouse Point and the Southwest Pass, which separates the mainland from the northern reaches of Marsh Island. Modern infrastructure is visible through the Acadiana Navigation Channel, a stark linear feature cutting through the open water to support regional maritime commerce. Geographers and coastal researchers will find interest in the transition from protected waters like Portage Lake and Hog Bayou to the exposed reefs and points along the coastline, such as Tete Butte Reef and Porpoise Point.