New Orleans Airboat Ride
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Take a break from the hustle-bustle of New Orleans and escape to nature on this exhilarating, family-friendly airboat ride! Spot alligators, snakes, turtles, egrets and herons as you take a fast, fun ride over a tidewater cypress swamp close to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Admire moss-covered cypress and tupelo-gum trees as you explore bayous teeming with life and take advantage of incredible photo ops.
Th premium small-group tour is limited to 6 people, regular small airboat (up to 10 people) or large airboat (up to 30 people) to allow for better views of the wildlife.
Please note: If you book the self-drive option you will not receive hotel pickup. If you book the option with pickup, pickups will begin 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to tour time.
There are no rideshare or taxi services to this area. Gators are more commonly spotted in summer months.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions (sunny or rainy); please dress appropriately
Minimum age is 5 years
Reservations booked separately will NOT be guaranteed to be on the same boat
Taxi & Ride Share services not available in our area
We offer a full refund in case of inclement weather that is unsafe to operate tours (lightening/ thunderstorms/ high wind). We still operate in the rain.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
New Orleans
Drive-out along the Mississippi River approximately 30 miles (48 km) to the embarkation point of your airboat from your New Orleans hotel. Depending on the option you selected, board a large airboat holding 15 to 25 passengers or a small airboat limited to six to eight passengers for a more intimate, personalized experience.
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Set out on a 1 hour and 45 minute tour on a 20,000-acre (8,095-hectare) tract of tidewater cypress swamp close to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Your airboat is powered by an aircraft propeller to allow a fast, fluid trip through the shallow marshes. Feel the wind on your face as you zip into bayous lined with mossy cypress and tupelo-gum trees. Prepare to see plenty of alligators in the warmer months (and warmer days in winter), some of which may be out sunning themselves on rocks! Your guide may even feed the gators, affording amazing photo opportunities. Keep your eyes open for turtles, snakes, egrets, herons and ibis. You may even catch sight of a hawk, owl or bald eagle. In the cooler months, look for white-tailed deer, raccoons and the large rodents known as nutria. Be sure to check out the indoor exhibits of alligators, including an albino alligator. Note: This tour does not include hotel pick-up or drop-off unless option selected at checkout.
What‘s Included
Local guide
Airboat ride
Small storage space under seat
Roundtrip transportation (if option with transport is selected at time of booking.)
Ear protection
Unobstructed views
Gratuities
Food and drinks (gift shop and bar available on site)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private Small Airboat
Private
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
10 Passenger Airboat
Large Airboat with Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
Pickup Times: Pickups begin 75 minutes prior to tour time
Pickup included
Large Airboat - No Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
Small Airboat - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Premium Small Airboat
Small Airboat: Up to 6 passengers
Roundtrip Transportation: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time.
Pickup included
Small Airboat with Pickup
Small Airboat : Up to 10 Passengers
Pickup Time: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time
Pickup included
Reviews
4,882 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Let your customers know what time the shuttle arrives for pickup
Tamn3sons,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00That be sure you know your time for hotel pick up . We were never told when the shuttle was coming . They called and asked if we were ready . The day before I made several phone calls to make sure of the time they were picking us up. I was told it showed on our paperwork 930 be prepared to be picked up by 9:15 that was wrong. We were to be picked up at between 830 and 845 so when we receive the phone call, they gave us 10 minutes to get ready or else we were gonna miss our tour. It’s very deceiving it was horrible. We could’ve missed our tour that was over $100 so somebody whether it’s you or the company needs to let their people know what time they need to be ready at their hotel give them an exact time. This was horrible. Our driver was wonderful thank God she waited 10 minutes for us and we weren’t even ready, but we hurried.
Great tour navigating the bayous
AnanthaTrvl,,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was exceptional - funny and shared information of the bayou, alligators. It was a surreal experience to go under the Spanish moss covered cypress trees. Good parking options and the office has restroom facilities. Would definitely recommend,
Great Experience
Roam39809505629,,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed our tour with Captain Larry! Super personable and knowledgeable about the area. The airboat was a cool experience and seeing the wildlife was a nice bonus. We were picked up by the bus and our driver was super sweet too.
Very nice! Everyone on...
Maryan J,,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very nice! Everyone on the staff was very kind and helpful. Loved our tour guide, he was super informative, friendly and funny!
Airboat tour
Rita C,,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Captain Ronnie was awesome and lots of fun. Got to see seven or eight alligators. Great day for an air boat tour.
Great trip!
Adventure27303451918,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The boat trip was very very good and the guide was very informative. Not sure about the captive 7 year old albino croc who is in a small enclosure.
Great time
Inspire634279,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great experience! We really enjoyed the ride and our guide was absolutely amazing! He shared stories and so much information about the bayou. We saw birds, including a bald eagle, and alligators! I would recommend anyone visiting the area to take this trip. We will be back
Great adventure
Valerie S,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Ronnie was an excellent guide oh my he knew so much about the area being 5th generation in the area Great ti see his dads crab traps and see the lovely blue crabs We were able to see several all be it small alligators so much fun
Such fun!
leutrimrexhaj,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00So much fun, the tour guide was excellent, he had great stories, and the swamp was exceptionally beautiful
Sykes Gator Hunt
Shawntaye S,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Worth every minute of the drive to get there and every dollar we paid. Very informative. He answered any questions we had he filled us in so well that there were hardly any questions
From US$59.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Airboat Adventures