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.
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
Large Airboat - No Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
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
Private Small Airboat
Private Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes 10 Passenger Airboat
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
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
5,125 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Experience
randypB2173TC,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a great time with Airboat Adventures today. Was definitely a new experience for us and the whole thing was made better by Capt. Larry. Informative and funny and even got a gator to hop onboard for a visit! We’re glad we got him as our guide👍!
Air Boat ride a must do!
Stephen K,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience!! Shane was a fantastic guide and he gave us a wonderful tour of the bayou. We saw a number of alligators and other wild life!! Highly recommend!!
The best part of our...
GenaampDan B,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The best part of our trip!! Our guide was so fun & informative. We saw a lot of gators & the guide got them to come up on the airboat a little ways but never felt we were in danger. On the open water we met a boat & guide asked if we wanted to get wet, we said yes, so got sprayed a little bit other than that we didn’t get wet. There was 8 of us & we all wanted to book another ride!
Airboat tour
LeAnn R,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00They was amazing. Our boat captain Jay was amazing and put on the best show.
Absolutely take the ride!
starfish73073,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was the activity I was most looking forward to on our trip, and it did not disappoint! From the hotel pick up to check in to the actual tour, everyone was welcoming and friendly and on time! Ronnie was our captain, and he was great. We saw tons of gators, and learned so much about them in the process. It was a beautiful day and I’ve got memories to last me forever!
This was an amazing...
Mitch T,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an amazing airboat ride! Our captain Jay was freaking awesome! We fed alligators! The Bayou was soo beautiful!! It was way longer than an airboat ride we've done in Florida, and we saw many more alligators than the previous ride. Highly recommend the smaller boat, much more thrilling ride!
Alligators everywhere
Erich A,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very fun tour with a native of New Orleans (Steve) who swam in these waters before there were so many alligators. We got to see where Captain Hook got his hand bitten off! The highlight was when Steve fed the Alligators marshmallows and the alligator almost jumped in the boat to try and get it! Crazy!
Day in the swamp
garyjS5387KM,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The air boat was great . Nine people on it. Captain tik tok was a a riot. He's very knowledgeable. Stopped at a few places and explained where we were. Found a lot gaters. We were able to feed them in different places In the swamp. Go figure gators like marshmallows
This was a great...
Amber A,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great experience and definitely worth the time! Our guide was tons of fun and made sure we had a blast!
The flexibility of our...
Juliana B,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The flexibility of our pickup location was great. The afternoon ride we booked was cancelled due to inclement weather but we were called and they offered to move us up to the earlier time slot which was really awesome of them. It was a short bus trip from Canal street and when we got there they had drinks (water, soda, alcohol) that you could purchase before your ride. We got on the airboat and our captain Jacob was super cool, knowledgeable and skilled. I won’t spoil the surprises he had in store but it was a great time and we would recommend this to anyone heading to New Orleans. They provide hearing protection which I highly recommend using while the engine is running. 10/10!
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