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
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
Large Airboat - No Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
Small Airboat - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Private Small Airboat
Private
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
10 Passenger Airboat
Small Airboat with Pickup
Small Airboat : Up to 10 Passengers
Pickup Time: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time
Pickup included
Reviews
4,823 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Horrendous
54kendrar,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Horrendous staffing and rude treatment to our group with no cooperation or alignment to information listed on the website durning booking.
Best activity of my...
ndegbert,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Best activity of my entire trip! Jay was a fabulous guide. Be aware once the weather cools the alligators are not as plentiful. I went in mid-November but temps were still in the 80s so saw LOTS of alligators.
Something very different
Ellen C,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great fun tour and our tour guide Tic toc was awesome! He took us to some surreal parts of the swamp. Saw lots of alligators and herons. Would definitely recommend to do this tour
This was such a great...
Stephanie T,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was such a great time. My partner really wanted this experience and I was a bit apprehensive because I’m a bit fearful of being on boats but it was exhilarating and so educational. Jay was such a great guide, he really made this experience the best. We got to see many alligators and he gave us a lot of historical information.
So worth it! Highly recommend!!
Amanda P,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00So much fun, exceeded our expectations! We loved the experience and our tour guide Ron was fantastic!! Highly recommend!!
Ronny was great very...
Alyse B,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ronny was great very knowledgeable and gave us such a great experience we even got to feed an alligator a marshmallow
Fun!!
Jennifer C,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fun tour with Larry as our boat guide. We saw lots of alligators, egrets and even a turtle.
Very exceptional...
Maria C,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very exceptional experience. We had lots of fun with our guide Tik Tok. We were fortunate to see so many gators and other wildlife, including the bald eagle.
Amazing tour guide!
Megan P,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely loved the tour. Saw a lot of gators and the tour guy Brad was absolutely amazing! The guide was very knowledgable and we learned a lot about the area!
Great experience. Guide...
Shea L,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience. Guide was knowledgeable & fearless; showed different sizes and environments of alligators, even got in the water with them 🙃 it was a highlight of our trip to New Orleans!
From $59.00
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Operated by Airboat Adventures