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
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
Small Airboat - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Reviews
4,875 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sykes Gator Hunt
Shawntaye S,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Worth every minute of the drive to get there and every dollar we paid. Very informative. He answered any questions we had he filled us in so well that there were hardly any questions
Good
Rexroy S,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Was good experience and worth the time. Guide was lnoedgsblr. Saw some.crocs. it was on the edge of being good too long, but we csne back on time
We had a blast! We were...
Sam F,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a blast! We were picked up from and returned to a very convenient spot, no sweat, so getting to the site was easy. Tiktok was a great guide!
On a sunny day, be sure...
William A,,Jan 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00On a sunny day, be sure to bring sunglasses, a hat and/or sunblock. On the airboat there is no roof or shadez
Awesome tour
Michele H,,Jan 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Mark was an excellent tour guide, bringing us to some beautiful spots, including the Disney inspired area for the princess and the frog. actually got some video of him, kissing an alligator on the snout, truly a special encounter!
Great experience!
Hazel B,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience, saw gators up close. Guide was awesome! He took us around not just to look for gators and was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
The tour guide was...
Miranda D,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide was amazing. We got to pet an alligator and learn a lot of interesting information about alligators and the Swamp.
Swamp Tour
deanac257,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved our tour!! Great guide, Ronnie! Enjoyed seeing so many alligators up close! We would recommend this tour to anyone planning on a trip to New Orleans.
Disappointing
Virginia M,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00We were not collected from the hotel pick up as the discription was unclear that you needed to be there 1.5 hrs before. After contacting there was no consideration given to our disappointment and the amount paid .I would have been happy to pay a cancellation fee but instead was charged the full amount .....take care with this business.
Beautiful scenery. The...
Destiny R,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful scenery. The guide did a great job of balancing education and fun. Was definitely worth it!
From US$59.00
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