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
Small Airboat - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Large Airboat - No Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
Small Airboat with Pickup
Small Airboat : Up to 10 Passengers
Pickup Time: 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
Private Small Airboat
Private
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
10 Passenger Airboat
Reviews
4,626 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Wild Ride Through the Swamps of New Orleans!
Danette W,
Sep 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00Airboat Adventure Tour – A Wild Ride Through the Swamps of New Orleans! This tour was absolutely phenomenal! From the moment we boarded the airboat, the energy was electric. Our guide was not only knowledgeable but had a real connection with the wildlife and the environment. At one point, he stopped the boat in the middle of the swamp, made a few animal calls, and—no joke—a bird landed right on his arm! He fed it and shared fascinating details about the species. It felt like something out of a nature documentary. Then we kicked up the speed and skimmed across the water, wind in our hair and swamp scenery all around. The next stop was the highlight: alligators. Our guide called out, and within moments, about ten gators swam right up to the boat. It was thrilling, surreal, and surprisingly peaceful watching them glide through the water. If you’re anywhere near New Orleans and want an unforgettable experience, I highly recommend this tour. It’s part adrenaline rush, part wildlife encounter, and all-around awesome.
This was so amazing to be...
Jalisa G,
Sep 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00This was so amazing to be able to experience. Our Captain Larry was extremely knowledgeable on the information he was giving out and he was funny during our ride. We would 100% book this again
knowledgeable Guide.
Donald N,
Sep 14, 2025
- Viator
4.00Our guide was very knowledgeable. I appreciated the jokes and very candid responses. He really knew his stuff.
He kissed a gator
David B,
Sep 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00It was overall positive. Our boat captain was very open to questions about the bayou and he kissed one of the gators! (Twice)
Simple review
william m,
Sep 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00Nice ride, got some cool information about the swamp, and got to see some gators. Good time with family and friends
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Operated by Airboat Adventures