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
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
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
Reviews
5,064 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great experience, great company to go out with
Juliana M,May 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent activity to take in the beauty of the swamps of New Orleans, the guide/driver is very knowledgeable and the team at airboat is working hard to keep the environment protected. What i liked the most is the respect to the wildlife, no attempts to feed the animals for pictures but treating nature with respect. Thanks for a great day!
Call The Real Swamp people!!
Trail33644595941,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My original booking with Airboat Adventures was canceled just an hour before my tour due to weather, so I quickly called The Original Airboat Adventures—and they made it happen the same day within the hour! A little rain wasn’t going to stop a real, born-and-raised swamp captain. Our ride with Captain Randy was amazing—the scenery was beautiful, and we saw plenty of gators. The highlight was meeting Blackie! Captain Randy tapped the boat, and Blackie came right up like they were old friends. He stayed right beside us for a while—such an awesome experience.
Prince and the gator
Stephanie R,May 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Jake, our tour guide, was hilarious and clearly very passionate about the alligators and the area overall. He made jokes, made us feel safe and kissed an alligator. Who does that?!
Interesting experience
Tracie D,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We did this as a party of 8 from WI. The tour guide, Captain Adam, was phenomenal. He provided history which was much a. Captain Adam was knowledgeable on the alligators and shared his expertise with us.
5 ⭐️ Tour with a 10 ⭐️ Tour guide
Roxanne P,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide was Jay and he was AMAZING! More than AMAZING! He lives on the island near our tour area which provided personal insight and passion for his home! He was knowledgeable, witty and as he said “like family during the tour”. Seeing all the alligators was a plus, but our tour guide, Jay, was the true star of the tour!
Super fun!
Laura L,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Super fun! Saw a ton of alligators- Captain Larry even fed and had fed hundred year old, 12 foot long, blind Leroy! Gliding under the Spanish moss filled trees was magical. Thanks Captain Larry!
Alligator Spotting by Airboat
Amy H,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an interesting experience learning about alligator lifestyles and habitat. It completely changed my opinion about these reptiles. The guide was knowledgeable and even pet one of the alligators on her throat. She clearly was comfortable w him. He said he gives her plenty of space on the bank once she lays her eggs each year.
Great Time!
James H,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a lot of fun. We saw a ton of alligators! The airboats were a blast and our guide was very knowledgeable and a fun guy. Really enjoyed the tour.
Amazing time!
Leslie R,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We did the 4pm airboat tour and it was amazing! Our guide Jay was the best and super knowledgeable about the area and all the gators we saw. We even got to feed them and have them do me close up on the boat.
Morning boat tour
nathane2022,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain Paul was awesome. The morning tour was the way to go
From US$59.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Airboat Adventures