Planning a New Orleans swamp tour? Compare airboats and covered pontoon boats, learn about transportation from New Orleans, and find the right experience for your group. At Airboat Adventures in Lafitte, you can explore Louisiana’s bayous and cypress swamps with a local guide.
This guide explains the boat options, what to expect, how to plan transportation, and what to bring before you book.
Find your tour: Small airboat tours | Large airboat tours | Covered pontoon swamp tours | Private airboat tours
Are swamp tours open year-round?
Airboat Adventures offers swamp tours throughout the year. Departure times and availability vary by season and date. Check your selected tour’s booking calendar for current options.
Who can take an airboat tour?
Airboat guests must be at least five years old. Additional boarding and health restrictions apply; review our tour requirements before reserving. Families with younger children can explore our covered pontoon option. Contact us if you need help choosing a boat for your group.
How much does a New Orleans swamp tour cost?
Pricing depends on the boat, departure date, group size, and availability. Compare the current options on our small airboat, large airboat, and pontoon tour pages, then check the booking calendar for your date. Transportation is an optional extra when selected and paid for.
Are New Orleans swamp tours worth it?
Yes, your swamp tour is more than worth the price of admission: keep in mind that this is a one-of-a-kind adventure that you’ll only find in select parts of the country. It’s also much different from the more common New Orleans experiences, like walking Bourbon Street and taking historic house tours. (Don’t worry, there will be time for that after!). Need transportation? Don’t worry, Airboat Adventures also offers roundtrip transportation from downtown New Orleans for an additional $30 per person.
While on tour, you’ll sail past natural cypress trees that form the backdrop of breathtaking photos and life-long memories. And you can take advantage of your time with a local Louisiana native by asking your boat captain all your questions about Louisiana wildlife, history, and even culture.
With the chance to spot wildlife in its natural environment, a bayou tour is bound to be the highlight of your trip. Whether you’re traveling with a group, your family, or solo, swamp tours are truly worth the ticket price and travel time.
What should I wear on a swamp tour?
Make sure you wear comfortable clothes that can withstand a splash here and there. Closed-toe shoes are recommended, so you can easily board the boat (and pivot fast to catch every alligator shot!). If you have it handy, toss in a bottle of bug spray and sunscreen to be safe (even if it’s overcast in the morning; the weather in Louisiana is notorious for changing by the hour). Also, don’t forget your sunglasses!
And otherwise, keep your packing light. You’ll need to stow away everything you bring under a seat on the boat so it doesn’t slide around or get wet.
If you’re taking an airboat tour, remember that airboats pick up speed, so you may want to wear an extra layer in the fall and winter.
What will I see on a New Orleans bayou tour?
Look for alligators, birds, turtles, and other wildlife among Louisiana’s waterways and swamp vegetation. What you see depends on weather, season, and animal activity. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
Your captain will guide the experience. Follow all instructions and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
What’s the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?
You can easily tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile based on the shape of their snout: alligators have more rounded mouths, while crocodiles have longer, more narrow heads.
But if you see any massive reptile floating through a Louisiana swamp, you can be sure it’s an alligator. Only gators are native to Louisiana bayous; not crocodiles. Alligators continue to grow throughout their entire lifetime. They can live into their 50’s, and have been known to reach up to 500 lbs!
How long is an airboat swamp tour?
Our small and large airboat tours last approximately one hour and 45 minutes on the water. Allow additional time for travel and check-in.
Where do tours depart, and is transportation available?
Airboat Adventures is at 5145 Fleming Park Road, Lafitte, LA 70067, outside downtown New Orleans. Plan your journey before departure and follow the arrival instructions in your confirmation.
Optional roundtrip transportation serves designated Downtown and French Quarter pickup locations. It is not included unless selected and paid for. Check our pickup locations and transportation instructions before booking.
What is an airboat?
An airboat is a flat-bottomed boat with a raised propeller. You can easily identify an airboat by the large, raised fan in the back that powers the boat forward.
They’re ideal for navigating shallow waters. Airboats have become increasingly popular for ecotours, since they can reach relatively high speeds, and can navigate shallow waterways. They originally gained popularity in Florida, but now you can enjoy the Louisiana bayou by airboat, too.
Which swamp tour is right for your group?
An airboat is the choice for guests who want a faster ride through shallow waterways. A covered pontoon offers a slower pace and shade. Both let you explore the Louisiana swamp with a guide.
- Small airboats: up to 10 passengers, with a premium option for up to six.
- Large airboats: up to 30 passengers.
- Covered pontoon tours: an alternative for guests seeking a more relaxed ride.
- Private airboat tours: explore options for reserving a boat for your group.
How should I compare swamp-tour reviews?
Look for recent comments about the boat type, guide, wildlife experience, and transportation. Read our swamp-tour reviews and guest testimonials to help decide whether the experience fits your group.
What are the best swamp tours in New Orleans?
Airboat Adventures offers some of the all-around best swamp tours in the area. They’re well-established, with a team of experienced boat captains who know exactly where to go to introduce you to alligators, wild boar, and more. You’ll learn all about the bayou, and the wide range of plants and animals that call Louisiana home.
For a more laid-back experience, explore our covered pontoon swamp tours.
Swamp tours are one of the most popular New Orleans activities, so you have options when it comes to choosing a tour company. Regardless of who you choose, you’ll want to reserve a spot with a tour company that’s earned plenty of positive reviews and recent customer testimonials.
Get ready for an amazing tour experience.
No matter what time of year you take your tour, what you wear, or what kind of boat you choose, a swamp tour will offer you a truly unique, Louisiana experience. Visitors and locals alike learn and see something new on every bayou tour. And a relaxing, guided exploration of the Louisiana swampland is a perfect contrast to the busy world of the French Quarter.
If you have any more questions about what to expect on your swamp tour, check out our FAQs page or give us a call. And laissez les bons temps rouler!
Ready to choose? Explore small airboat, large airboat, or pontoon tours to check availability. For help, call 504-689-2005.
