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
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
Large Airboat - No Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
Large Airboat with Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
Pickup Times: Pickups begin 75 minutes prior to tour time
Pickup included
Reviews
4,923 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent tour on the small boat. Lots of gators!
Steve W,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great time on the small boat. Only six of us so a perfect number. Great guide. Saw plenty of gators!
Ask for TikTok!!!! Amazing!!!
Heather V,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Hands done the best thing I’ve done in New Orleans to date and we come a lot!!! Try to get with a guy named TikTok!!! The guy would even grab the gators and kiss some of them!!! Every knowledgeable. Just an amazing experience!!!
Worth doing, saw plenty...
Julie R,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Worth doing, saw plenty of wildlife up close. Guides very good at their job and ensure you see wildlife
Saw a lot!
Adam A,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Saw many alligators close up. Beautiful day and great guide who explained a great deal about the waterways and nature
100/10 do recommend
c p,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This excursion was very organized which is a plus for me! The communication was precise and clear. We used the pickup option and had no problems at all. The tour guide was literally the BEST! I don’t remember his name sadly but we had a time with the gators on the bayous! When I come back I will book again that’s just how fun, enjoyable and engaging it was!
Highlight of Our New Orleans Trip!
nglasser1s,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our New Orleans airboat tour was absolutely amazing and such a highlight of our trip! We were on Boat 15, and our guide was incredible. He was extremely knowledgeable about the animals and the different areas of the bayou, sharing interesting facts and stories that made the experience even more special. You could truly tell he loves what he does — his passion and enthusiasm made the tour fun, engaging, and memorable from start to finish. Our favorite part was meeting the alligator named “Mama”! Seeing her up close was unforgettable and something we’ll be talking about for a long time. If you’re visiting New Orleans, this airboat tour is a must-do. Highly recommend!
The Real Deal!
Rebecca S,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The boat ride was fabulous! We got to see and even feed the alligators. The guide, Ronnie the “the real deal” definitely stood up to his name! The instructions were a little misleading. You must be at the pick up location at least 1 1/2 hours before the tour.
My first airboat ride
adonald58,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very well organized, great experience.
Capt Jay was Awesome!
MIsty S,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We did the small airboat tour with Capt. Jay and had a great experience. He was knowledgeable, lots of fun, and made the whole ride exciting from start to finish. We saw plenty of “swamp puppies,” and learned a lot about the area. You can tell he loves what he does. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fun Louisiana adventure.
Louisiana Bayou Airboat Tour
Helen U,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Captain Tic Tok, an amazing guide! It was a gorgeous day! We had a really fun boat ride, saw lots of alligators sunbathing and posing, saw a few birds and even spotted a bald eagle. It was wonderful experiencing the Louisiana bayou.
From US$59.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Airboat Adventures