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
Premium Small Airboat
Small Airboat: Up to 6 passengers
Roundtrip Transportation: 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
Small Airboat - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Small Airboat with Pickup
Small Airboat : Up to 10 Passengers
Pickup Time: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time
Pickup included
Reviews
4,990 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun for all
Emily N,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was fun, engaging and knowledgeable. We saw a lot of gators and to be honest, I didn’t think we’d see any. The whole family had a good time and that’s saying a lot for a pre teen and a teenager!
Great Adventure
Tracy S,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Corey was a great guide. Very informative and alligators and other wildlife were found and their habitat explained.
Our captain TikTok was...
Maria L,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our captain TikTok was amazing. He was funny and really allowed us to enjoy the scenery while giving us some really cool history of the area we were in. We will definitely be doing this again!
Great Experience!
Shannon B,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience! Got up close to gators and saw an eagle’s nest too! Mark was a great tour guide. Beautiful day and enjoyed it!
Highlight of Bachelorette Trip
OnAir754121,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was the highlight of my friends Bachelorette trip!!! We all had the best time and they were so helpful. When our previous transportation had fallen through I was able to call them right away and book transportation through them which was hassle free. I high suggest doing this if you're in NOLA!!!!
10/10 recommend
ashlyn d,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Was a great experience! We arrived early before the crowd and we loved getting drinks at the bar and being able to take the drink on the boat! Our guide was very nice and informational! We were on boat 17, can’t remember his name! We saw so many alligators and the guide fed the alligators and allowed us to get great pictures & videos! He would slow the boat down for us, that was very sweet! Amazing views of the river and moss trees! 10/10 recommend! Also loved how long the tour is!
Do it
Ashlee W,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a great experience from start to finish. Our tour guide was super knowledgeable and fun to learn from. We road the large boat which was perfect. If you do the morning run, I would recommend bringing a light sweater as it was a little chilly! 10/10 would absolutely recommend.
Had a great experience...
Anthony M,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Had a great experience the guide was knowledgeable and did get to see alligators too. I’d recommend this to anyone
Great value! Great fun!
Ann P,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had so much fun! We saw a lot of alligators and turtles as well as some very beautiful birds. Our guide Paul was very funny and knowledgeable about all aspects of the swamp.
Do it! You won't regret it.
christinasP4109XZ,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great fun. A little adventure + a great guide is al you need! And you will find it here. Great for all ages.
From US$59.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Operated by Airboat Adventures