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‘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)
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
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.
Options
Small Airboat - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Large Airboat - No Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
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
Small Airboat with Pickup
Small Airboat : Up to 10 Passengers
Pickup Time: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time
Pickup included
Premium Small Airboat
Small Airboat: Up to 6 passengers
Roundtrip Transportation: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time.
Pickup included
Reviews
4,812 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
C Ya Later Aligator
Sean B,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fantastic time on this tour. We almost canceled because of the arctic blast hitting the area on the day of our reservation. It went from Friday of 87 degrees to low 40s when we hit the water Monday am. Wind chill was no joke, but Captain Jay's love of the bayou kept us warm. He has a personal relationship with the area and the gators that was inspiring. The guy called the gators like a dog and they came. With the water temp dropping he wasn't sure they would be out in the water but within a few minutes they were alongside the airboat. In the short time on the water we were able to see completely different areas of the bayou. He was knowledgeable and answered every question we had. We were on the small boat and it was a very enjoyable trip. Pickup was easy at a hotel a block away from ours and they were right on time in the scheduled window. I had a question and sent a message at 830 at night via the app and it was answered within minutes. Super happy with our airboat adventure. Thanks Captain Jay for a great morning on the water.
A wonderful experience on the airboat tour with Brad
Debra S,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00So much fun! Brad was a great tour guide! He knew where to find the gators! Great stories and a fun ride. Would highly recommend!!!
Must do in NOLA
ELLERROYCE M,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an amazing experience with Airboat Adventures. Our tour guide, Logan, was knowledgeable, funny, and incredibly skilled with the gators. He made the entire ride both exciting and educational. Check-in was a breeze, and the whole tour was well organized from start to finish. If you’re visiting in mid-November, don’t forget to wear warm clothing. :) We opted for a smaller group tour for more personal experience. This is a must-do attraction in NOLA. It was only about a 35-minute drive from our hotel in the Central Business District near Caesars Hotel. Highly recommend!
Terrific way to see the scenery and wildlife of the Louisiana bayou
terrigL3959LL,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Terrific outing into the bayou with TikTok (guessing that is an excellent nickname). It was cold for LA, but we had hats, coats and gloves and were fine. We saw so many alligators, beautiful scenery, herons, egrets, and even an eagle’s nest with 2 eagles. TikTok clearly knows the bayou and gave us just enough information to be interesting and something we will remember!
Book it.
Aprille H,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience! I loved seeing the bayou and the alligators! Did the 30 seat one and don’t feel like we missed anything compared to the smaller boats.
Explore the bayou.
Needtogetaway44,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00It's the perfect way to see the bayou, the flora and fauna, and of course, gators! The guides are knowledgeable about just about everything. I still don't get how they know that gators like marshmallows.
Highly recommended👌Very...
Cecile J,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Highly recommended👌Very enjoyable,memorable & informative♥️ Our guide, Capt Mark was funny & adept.
Great swamp experience
Diana C,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was so much fun!!! Saw lots of 'gators and the tour guide was amazing! Thank you Larry!!! Make sure to wear sunscreen.
Awesome time
Wanderer786366,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience and guide was very engaging with everyone. Would highly recommend this tour to everyone !!!!!!!!!!!
Fun experience!
Sue S,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00So fun! Saw lots of alligators, very experienced local guide. Great history of the eco culture of the area.
From $59.00
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Operated by Airboat Adventures