New Orleans Airboat Ride
Overview
- Self-drive to swampland close to New Orleans for an airboat ride
- Enjoy a fast, thrilling ride on tidewater cypress swampland near the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
- See alligators, turtles, snakes, egrets, herons, ibis and other wildlife
- Choose from morning and afternoon departures on a small or large airboat
- Small-group tour limited to eight people (small airboats) or 25 people (large airboats) for a more interactive experience
Upon arriving at the airboat launch site, board a large airboat holding 15 to 25 passengers or a small airboat limited to six to eight passengers. Hold on tight as you airboat takes off into the tidewater cypress swamp near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Enjoy close proximity to the water from your seat in the flat‐bottomed airboat. As you zip through the bayou, check out signature cypress trees dripping with moss and massive tupelo‐gum tree rising straight from the water.
Depending on the season, you may spot alligators basking in sun on the shore or lurking in the water. Rest assured that the swamps are teeming with wildlife year‐round. Spot turtles, snakes, raccoons, nutria and many native birds – you may even spot a bald eagle!
Your airboat tour ends at the embarkation point. Before leaving this iconic Cajun town, pop into the local albino alligator exhibit or grab a delectable shrimp Poboy to go (own expense). Then drive or board your coach back to New Orleans. Note: This tour does not include hotel pick‐up or drop‐off unless hotel pickup and drop‐off is selected at checkout. If you have selected hotel pickup and drop‐off please specify your hotel details in the 'special requirements' field at the time of checkout or advise the local operator directly after booking.
Reviews
Viator Traveler's Reviews
This tour is a lot of fun. The guide we had grew up only a few miles from the swamp and was very knowledgeable. He even had a baby alligator with him that we could hold and take pictures. We went in early Dec and saw 6 alligators. Suggestion: Instead of paying for the tour to pick you up, just go rent a car for the day to save money.
The weather would not let us be great!! We had an excellent guide, Jay, who made sure we had a good time and was very informative. We were on the large boat, but I think you will be able to see more on the smaller boat. I recommend taking the ride in the warmer months so you can see more animals. According to Jay, most animals are trying to find a warm place and don't come out.
We booked a small boat and couldn’t have been more excited to do so. Seeing everyone crammed into the large boat made us feel quite fortunate to have such a personal experience. Being a small boat was so much more agile and exciting and up close and personal. We probably saw at least 20 gators and several turtles. We were told that October was about as late as you want to go on this experience since the animals are starting to prep for winter. Overall this is an amazing experience and one that you should not pass up if you have the opportunity and time to do so.
We had a group of eleven and we all enjoyed the tour. Our guide was entertaining and knowledgable about the area. The swamps were beautiful and we got to see several alligators. Eat before you go as there is really no place to go within walking distance and byob! If you get a Lyft or Uber there the only way back is by taxi, so I would reserve that ahead of time so you're not left waiting for 45min for a ride back like we were.
