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 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
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 - 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
Reviews
5,099 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun for all
Ted R,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great time, bring a poncho, and bring some cash to tip your airboat captain. It is fun for all ages.
Airboat Stuck
Caribbean T,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00Boat 14 stuck for 30 plus minutes… didn’t have the full experience… a refund is warranted appreciate if they honor
Rain or shine great experience!
Jeff E,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It rains in New Orleans! Bring or you can buy there (about $4.00) a rain poncho. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet. The experience is great either way… it rained on us , but we had a blast…saw lots of crocs! Keep your hands in… they come right up to the boat!
2026 graduation adventure!
Kristi Y,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was Mike for this little adventure. He was funny, informative and made this perhaps our best excursion for this vacation! The ride was beautiful and exciting!
Gators, good vibes, fun tour
MIZZESB3ST,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience! Even with the rain we still saw gators, turtles, wild cows, an eagle nest, birds and we saw the princess and the frog site. Tour took about 2 hours and was worth the money. Location was easy to find and had free parking for those who drive. We did the small boat tour. Guide was super nice but I cannot remember his name 😭. Highly recommend for people of all ages.
Great Experience
Emily H,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00In April, we took a small boat with 10 people which allowed us to get through places larger boats wouldn’t be able to access as well. There were 5 in our party. Our guide was very knowledgeable. He took us to an area, parked us under a tree, and we watched about 6 alligators. We saw turtles and a blue egret. It was a beautiful day and great experience.
Airboat ride
H6678EAbarbs,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We thoroughly enjoyed the airboat experience and our guide was great! I however, feel like we were mislead on the final price when booking. The rates of $59 per person did not include getting to our destination. We paid to Uber to a hotel and was then picked up by bus. I knew there would be a charge but did not realize the charge would be over $400. Had I known upfront I would have tried other options. That is very pricey for transportation!!
Fun Experience
Joanne S,May 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Really enjoyed this experience, it was great fun and completely safe. Our guide was informative and professional. There were lots of alligators around and we loved how we stopped right next to them. My only criticism was the comment made by our guide to my husband as we left the boat. It was raining during our trip and we were soaked. We needed to get off the boat and open our rucksack to get the tip money out, but as we got off, the guide turned to my husband and said thanks for the tip. I didn't hear it, and took the money my husband handed to me, and gave it to the guide. So here's another tip .... don't presume, just give us 2 mins to get the money out when we're soaking wet. It was a nasty comment and certainly uncalled for!
Fun
Lori M,May 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Use sunsceeen and bring large marshmallows or hotdogs for the gators. ……………. ………………………………………………………..
Had the best time with Captain TikTok!
Patricia C,May 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The captain was entertaining and knowledgeable about the area and the animals. The experience was interactive and he provided lots of peaceful moments pausing for us to view nature. He kept the ride interesting and entertaining all along the way. It was lots of fun and well worth it! We saw lots of alligators, one even came up on the boat to be fed! There were lots of different kinds of birds and owls, and bald eagles! We would definitely do this again.
From US$59.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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