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
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
Small Airboat with Pickup
Small Airboat : Up to 10 Passengers
Pickup Time: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time
Pickup included
Private Small Airboat
Private
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
10 Passenger Airboat
Premium Small Airboat
Small Airboat: Up to 6 passengers
Roundtrip Transportation: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time.
Pickup included
Small Airboat - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Reviews
4,907 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best part of my trip
Jennifer,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an amazing experience. If you can request Jordan as your guide. He was amazing. Stopped for us to just see alligators but also let the kids feed them and he played with them for us. I recommend this adventure to anyone going to Nola. Amazing
Great experience being...
Tyrone T,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience being that close, while still feeling safe, around the gators. Captain Peanut was very knowledgeable and provided much info and humor to the trip! I’d go again!
Terrific tour
davekH1295DR,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a 6 person boat for our family and the tour was everything we had hoped for. An excellent guide (Shane) was knowledgeable and really gave us a good understanding of area. Highly recommend.
Cruising on the Bayou
Julianne C,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic experience! Definitely a must do. Half of our group took the big boat.. If you want to just cruise listen to some great music and check out the bayou this is for you.. Our other half took the airboat ride and they loved it.. Both of the drivers were Great, they both were knowledgeable and made our experience exciting and fun.. Dont miss out on this experience..
Would do again
Glenda B,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour itself was an hour and a half. Our guide was knowledgeable about the conservation of the flora and fauna. Definitely wear the headphones they provide, but bring hand sanitizer if you’re like me and a germaphobe!
Great! Captain Rodney was...
Brooke P,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great! Captain Rodney was awesome and catered to our group. If you’re prone to be cold, bring a windbreaker jacket.
Larry pet an alligator
T V,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Super amazing adventure. 2 hrs trip and didn't feel like it. Larry our guide was fun. We got to see so many 🐊
Gators up close
Lisa K,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Pictures of the family before our adventure were fabulous. Our exciting airboat ride in the swamp was informative and enjoyable. We saw so many large and small alligators. We even saw a beautiful bald eagle. Tour guide was fantastic! Feb 19, 2026 10 am tour boat #2
Missed the tour
Susan S,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Be very careful regarding start time if using their transportation as Viator does not show start time on front of their message. Only in the printed info does it say be there 45 minutes PRIOR to start time
Highly recommend
Anonymous,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience! Staff , facilities, equipment were great. Highly recommend to all . We got to see lots of gators, turtles and different birds
From US$59.00
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