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
Small Airboat - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Large Airboat - No Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
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 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
Reviews
4,953 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Omg such a blast !!!!
Ricardo D,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Mike is the man !!!! Hes so cool and informative I was amazed at how fun this tour was . Saw alligators on the bayou and they came up so close to the boat I took lots of pictures of the beauty that is New Orleans . And the airboat WOW what a rush to be in the water love love love this !!
Amazing experience!
Sarah L,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This experience was incredible. Our guide, Brad, was fun and knowledgeable. The whole experience truly made our trip. Couldn’t recommend this activity and company more!
Amazing Gator viewing
Brandon F,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time and saw so many gators. Definitely would recommend taking the family out for this fun family activity.
Amazing swamp tour
CORNELIA W,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I loved this tour. It was relaxing and learned a little about the area. My favorite part is when the boat operator interacted with the gators! I forgot his name but he was a young man. Knowledgeable and entertaining.
A must for your vacation!
Tonya P,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Plenty of gators! Friendly staff, great boat bonding system, drinks are perfect, ear covering was clean and comfortable, guide for boat #2 was pure laughter and made the tour fun.
Good trip with not so good stay
urvee,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We used Airboat services with 10 occupants. It was really good. We saw many alligators as well. And some experience feeding the alligators as well.
Exceptional Experience with Cpt Kelly
152janellel,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow, Captain Kelly was absolutely phenomenal!! He made this an exceptional experience for us and I would highly recommend you ask for his boat if you book. This is well worth it and saw lots of gators.
Beautiful scenery with gators
Barbara W,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic! Jacob was the best!!! The scenery was beautiful and there were lots of gators that came right up to the boat.
Tour was great, but some criticism...
R2113CTtroys,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The tour and our boat captain were top notch. Was a great tour into the remote swamp land to see all the wildlife it had to offer. Many close encounters with alligators, turtles and various birds in the area. We booked the transportation provided by the airboat company to and from New Orleans to the facility. The driver for the bus (20) was distracted a lot. At one time was reading a piece of paper draped over his steering wheel and was also on the phone for some of the drive. That part didn't impress me, but everything else was great.
Must do when in NOLA!
Stephanie S,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour! Beautiful bayou! Mark was awesome, the wildlife was amazing. Loved it!
From US$59.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Airboat Adventures