Large Airboat Swamp Tour with Transportation from New Orleans
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience the thrill of riding a 16-passenger airboat on a 1 hour and 40 minute New Orleans swamp tour, with informative narration provided by the captain. See alligators and other wildlife in their natural habitat during the adrenaline-fueled ride. This family-friendly tour includes the convenience of hotel transport from downtown hotels.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Due to safety concerns, pregnant women are not allowed on this tour
All children must be at least 48 inches
When traveling with multiple passengers, you must make one booking with all passengers to insure that you are on the same boat. If you did not book together, you are not guaranteed to be together.
Service animals are permitted but not recommended due to the volume of noise on the boat and threats of surrounding wildlife.
Emotional support animals are not permitted.
Please note you are not guaranteed to see a gator. They hibernate in winter months but are easily spotted in spring, summer, and fall.
Folding wheelchairs are allowed on the bus, but the driver is not allowed to pick up a person to help them gain entrance. The customer must get into the minibus by themselves or with assistance from family or friends.
• Airboats are not handicapped accessible. There are no lifts or ramps available for use. Guests must be able to get on or off of the boat themselves or with the help of someone in their party.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
New Orleans
This 2-hour swamp tour of New Orleans starts with pickup from your downtown hotel. After a 35-minute drive along the Mississippi River by air-conditioned van, you'll arrive at your destination.
Barataria Preserve
Meet your airboat captain and settle into your seat on the 16-passenger vessel, then prepare for a wild ride into the swamp. Powered by a 454 Chevy engine and propelled by huge fans, the airboat travels at speeds up to 25 miles per hour (40 kph). The captain performs exhilarating high-speed maneuvers, cruises at gentle speeds, and makes plenty of photo stops while narrating on the wildlife and local flora. Alligator sightings are common in these waters, but your guide is trained to ensure safety at all times during this family-friendly outing. After your tour concludes, relax with transport back to your hotel in New Orleans.
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional guide
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
12:30 pm Pick Up
2:10pm Tour: 16 passenger airboat with pickup from downtown New Orleans hotels; hotel pickups are from 12:30PM to 1:00PM.
Pickup included
8:00 am Pick Up
9:40am Tour: 16 passenger airboat with pickup from downtown New Orleans hotels; hotel pickups are from 8am to 8:30am
Pickup included
10:20 am Pick Up
12:10pm Tour: 16 passenger airboat with pickup from downtown New Orleans hotels; hotel pickups are from 10:20am to 10:50am
Pickup included
3:00 pm Pick Up
4:15pm Tour: 16 passenger airboat with pickup from downtown New Orleans hotels; hotel pickups are from 3:00PM to 3:30PM.
Pickup included
Reviews
1,825 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Boat Trip
Mark B,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a very good boat ride. Our captain was very knowledgeable, showed us a couple of gators, even though it was cold outside. We had a great woman bus driver who was very knowledgeable about New Orleans and the communities it was very educational. But we love going fast on the airboat.
Great tour company!
Ashley L,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Pickup bus and facilities were very clean and prompt. The tour guide was wonderful and full of great knowledge!!!
A Great Day
William N,,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The driver to the bayou was very funny and informative. Our tour captain was great and we saw gators, eagles and herons.
Great way to see NOLA area swamp.
X7305UOjohnb,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fun boat ride, and even though it was winter, the driver found several gators -- small, medium, and large.
Captain Ernie was great!
Arilla C,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Captain Ernie was excellent! It is January so we knew there wouldn’t be many gators to see because it was cold but Captain Ernie was very knowledgeable and was hilarious!
Are small airboat captain...
Andrew F,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Are small airboat captain was very safe, knowledgeable, and made sure if we had questions he had the answers. Not only was it very enjoyable but I learned a lot also. The mama in the store was so delightful and knowledgeable I almost wish I could have took her home.
Amazing tour amazing people!!
Andy S,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Air boat in the swamp is a must for a first timers to New Orleans like us and this tour was amazing. We were picked up promptly at our hotel in a spacious bus with large windows so you can take photos of New Orleans as we drove 30 minutes to our destination the bayou. There was a charming little gift shop where we bought a couple of hot cocoa, it was only 50°. Everyone part of this tour was extremely friendly but the lady at the gift shop gave off the Cajun mom I never had, vibes, very nice. With our tickets and hot cocoa we went down to the dock and waited to board. The boat capn had a thick cajun accent which is exactly what I wanted! He made sure we were all safety aboard and buckled in and away we went. We started off slow down the canal but once we got past the idle speed area he opened it up and we flying across the water. A small opening on the side of the canal we darted into. Dropping speed we slowly drifted down the bayou. We saw alot of birds and even an alligator. We stopped for a bit and floated while he told us a bit about himself and the area. He answered all our questions with deep knowledge of the swamp and the community. Then we were on our way back flying down the canal. The bus was waiting for us and the trip back to the hotel was comfortable and warm. A must do if you are in the area!
Great staff & fun tour!
kristensM1763JW,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Capt Ernie was amazing - he was very knowledgeable and fun to listen to! We had a great time learning about the swap with a fun tour!
Entertaining
Dora P,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Loved the pick up at our hotel and the efficiency of the origination. The guide Ernie was entertaining and educational. Loved the scenery and saw several gators and birds. Would highly recommend but nature is always unpredictable. We got lucky for this time of year to see so many gators e we were told.
Was very fun . Guide was...
Adam K,,Jan 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Was very fun . Guide was great and very knowledgeable and knew where all the alligators were. Great trip
From US$90.00
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