Swamp Boat Ride and Whitney Plantation Tour from New Orleans
Overview
Available languages
7 hours 45 minutes
Mobile ticket
This tour combines the private Manchac Swamp with Whitney Plantation. A decade ago Whitney Plantation, circa 1752, opened its doors to the public for the first time in its history as the only plantation museum in Louisiana completely dedicated to the history of slavery. The experience at Whitney is a self-paced audio tour. Visitors to Whitney will gain a unique perspective on the enslaved people who lived and worked here through museum exhibits, restored historic outbuildings, and hundreds of first-person narratives.
Then it's a short ride to a privately-owned wildlife refuge within the Manchac Swamp, where homegrown Cajun captains will take you on a journey back to the early days of swamp exploration. They'll guide the covered pontoon boat through the mystical cypress swamp while showing off the American Alligator and abundant wildlife. Learn the history of the town of Frenier and the Cajun culture of fishing, hunting, and trapping. Get the camera ready gators leaping up for a snack!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Whitney Plantation
9am & 11am Departures - 7 1/2 Hour Tour Your Whitney Plantation experience will include an audio tour of the grounds.
Lake Pontchartrain
Although called a lake, this is actually a large lagoon and brackish estuary fed by fresh water rivers and connected to the Gulf of Mexico. Covering 630 square miles (1600 km2) it is one of the largest wetlands in North America.
Options
Swamp Boat Ride and Whitney Plantation Tour from New Orleans
What‘s Included
Narrated round-trip transportation
Audio Tour of Whitney Plantation
Narrated swamp boat ride through Manchac Swamp
Gratuities
Food & drinks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great guide on the bus with lots of information bus driver amazing boat ride and swamp tour perfect
kryshelle h,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great day easy to find starting point Lovely tour guide and bus driver self guided tour at the plantation amazing funny boat guide on the swamp got to see gators being fed and to hold a baby gator amazing day
Kimberly was phenomenal
Xiomara C,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour is a great way to cover two must do experiences in one day. Kimberly was knowledgeable and engaging. She took great care of us. We learned a lot from her.
Mixed review
PEGGY L,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The guide is exclusively English-speaking. I am French and did not understand anything of the explanations that seemed very informative. Perhaps consider a day for a French-speaking guide. The time is too short to visit the Whitney plantation. The bayou tour is too short. We quickly turned back. The fact of feeding animals with sweets to attract them was quite shocking.
Lot's to learn
MICHELLE H,May 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Both the swamp ride and the Whitney Plantation were really great experiences. Swamp ride was informative and the tour guide answered all questions and made sure we left informed. Whitney Plantation had me crying for all the slaves who suffered at the hands of plantation owners and the public in general. We chose Whitney for the education they provide regarding the experiences of slaves. This is a history we need to keep alive and more people need to learn! Only recommendation is that they just put a note to either bring food/snacks or be prepared to purchase at a secondary location.
A Nola tour guide not to be missed!
Elizabeth L,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Kimberly was a wealth of knowledge and paced our tour and commentary really well. She spoke on Nola history, culture, food, and drink, and she even gave out prizes and loaned power banks with various cord outlets. Definitely recommend!
Worth it!
josefinew668,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00a beautiful day trip! kimberly, our guide for the entire trip, was fun and engaging and shared a lot of interesting history on new orleans. the tour through the whitney plantation was very interesting and moving. a quick stop at the Oak Alley plantation (much larger than the whitney plantation) for a quick lunch and then we headed off to the swamp tour where we saw an incredible variety of animals: many aligators but also wild pigs, raccoons, turtles, birds. it was lovely. the boats have a roof too so you don't get wet even when it rains which it did occasionally on our tour.
Creating Memories 4Life!
Kevin T,May 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Jane, Dominique and Thomas were all awesome! A great time was had by me , my wife, my two teenage children and my toddler.
Great day out
Nicola B,May 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My original booking was cancelled however I was advised in advance and was offered an alternative. We set off on time and Jane was an excellent host providing a very informative commentary on the way. As my original booking was cancelled we were actually added to another group heading to a different plantation. The coach took a short detour to drop 3 of us at the Whitney Plantation as per my original booking. I felt very looked after and fully informed of the arrangements. The Whitney Plantation was an amazing experience and worthy of being in anyone’s itinerary. It was a self guided tour and easy to follow. The only downside was a turn in the weather which meant I had to move through the areas a little quicker than I would have liked but overall a great experience. The coach came back to collect us at the agreed time and we were driven to meet the rest of the coach party at Oak Plantation where we had ample time to obtain refreshments. Onwards from there we headed for the swamp tour. Whilst the swamp vehicle wasn’t what I was expecting it was a great trip nonetheless and our boat operator was excellent . We did get to see the alligators and other swamp wildlife and a great time was had .
Robert your guide was...
Debbie B,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Robert your guide was fabulous ! Very informative and pleasant . Bus driver did a great job as well !
Excellent tour of Whitney plantation and swamp tour.
Ronni B,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We went to Whitney Plantation, which focused on the slaves' experience, and then a swamp tour in a boat. Jane was an excellent guide, narrating all kinds of historic information, and the driver did an excellent job as well. We were very satisfied.
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