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
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
Large Airboat with Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
Pickup Times: Pickups begin 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
Large Airboat - No Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
Private Small Airboat
Private
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
10 Passenger Airboat
Reviews
4,931 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing adventure!
Curiosity629272,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed our tour. Captain Mark was amazing. He was able to get us up close to the alligators and show us and teach us a few things. This was one of the best parts of our trip.
This trip was amazing....
Joshua D,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This trip was amazing. The bus picked us up right outside our hotel. The airboat tour was exactly what we were looking for. Shane was our airboat driver, he was great; very friendly & knowledgeable. Definitely recommend!
The alligator swamp tour...
Nuala G,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The alligator swamp tour is such a unique experience. Our guide, Ronnie, was the real deal!! Knowledgeable, funny, and clearly passionate about the wildlife and ecosystem. We got to see several alligators up close and personal, and we even saw a bald eagle perched on a tree! Incredible. The whole tour felt safe and was well organised. If you’re looking for something memorable to do, this swamp tour is definitely worth it. We would absolutely go again!
Excellent Tour for a Great Value
Mary M,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour! Learned so much about the swamp/bayou and saw so many gators! Our guide was excellent and knowledge. He was a master at maneuvering the boat and ensured everyone was engaged and had a great time. Also, we added a hotel pick-up and were thrilled to have done so. Great driver with timely pick-up/drop-off. Highly recommend.
Awesome experience!
Sal F,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an amazing time going through the swamp lands and seeing all the wildlife! The alligator sightings were awesome and our guide even interacted with a couple of them!! We knew we would enjoy it and learn a lot, but it definitely exceeded our expectations!
Unclear pick up details, missed our ride
Denise G,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00We booked our airboat ride with viator. We booked hotel pickup and the ticket said 9.45 pickup. Turns out the 9.45 pickup wasn't the pickup from hotel but when the boat sailed. This was not clear on the booking. Customer service unhelpful. We travelled from Irekand so very disappointed we did not get the boat ride.
Lots of alligators!!! Fun experience!
Sinead S,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide was good, funny. He did talk so fast it was hard to understand at times with that Louisiana accent.
Good family fun
D7779KTamandap,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked online with no issues. We drove ourselves and it was an easy find with GPS. Quick check in and our captain and boat were ready on time. We all had a good time. We saw lots of gators and a couple bald eagles. Overall pleasant time. The captain talked hunting and fishing the area with us; he was very relatable.
More than just alligators!
mateosmemas,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour through the bayou! Shane was our guide and was knowledgeable and passionate about this area of the planet. We learned the difference between farm grown and regular alligators. An easy way to guess their age, what they eat and they are typically just as afraid of us as we are of them. I loved learning how this small family-run business in a little town outside New Orleans guides people through the area and we leave with an awareness of how important it is to care for and respect our environment. Even if the animals seem scary! That part of the tour I was not expecting. Another bonus was all the other wildlife. Turtles, fish, numerous birds including a bald eagle made their appearance. Highly recommend!
Entertaining!
michelleoQ6420BT,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome ! Mark was Great very entertaining and informative Great tour. Up close to the gators 🐊 and other wild life. Do the Air Boat!
From US$59.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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