Morgan City is situated off the Lower Atchafalaya River near its confluence with the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) at Mile 96. Morgan City is about 70 miles west of New Orleans and south of Baton Rouge by about 60 miles. The Morgan City waterfront is the heart of city life and where most of the marinas, marine, restaurant, and provisioning facilities are located.

The image above is a view from the north looking south over the confluence of the GIWW and Lower Atchafalaya River. Note the three bridges (two fixed, one lift) that cross the river on the south side of Morgan City. The Morgan City waterfront and its numerous shrimp vessels are located on the left (east).

The Lower Atchafalaya River flows right past Morgan City and the area of its confluence with the GIWW can get a bit interesting with confused currents at times. There are no marks aids to navigation until you are north of the bridges, but do watch out for the nine-foot deep spot on the south side of the GIWW that the magenta line clearly steers around. Heading west on the GIWW a simple turn to the north into the Lower Atchafalay River will steer you right into the heart of Morgan City

There are three bridges that cross the Lower Atchafalaya River as you proceed northward toward the center of Morgan City. First is a railroad lift bridge (four-foot closed vertical clearance, 73 feet up) that is usually left in the open position unless rail traffic is approaching. Next are a set of two fixed bridges, the first of which has a 73-foot fixed vertical clearance, and then the Long Allen Fixed Bridge with a 50-foot fixed vertical clearance.

See our “Local Notices to Mariners” blog for updates on the latest conditions and advisories for this area.

Every Labor Day weekend, Morgan City hosts the oddly named, but entertaining Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, which celebrates the local economy and the town’s reliance on petroleum and shrimp harvests from the local Gulf of Mexico waters.
See our “Helpful Links” section below for a detailed calendar of events listing local goings on in the Morgan City area for other times of the year

Aside from taxi cabs, there is no local organized public transportation in Morgan City, although there are a few car rental facilities in town if you want to explore surrounding areas such as New Orleans or Baton Rouge, or make a trip to the New Orleans (Louis Armstrong) International Airport. For detailed flight schedules and information for the New Orleans International Airport, see our “Helpful Links” section below.

City of Morgan City

Morgan City Calendar of Events

Port of Morgan City

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport