Overview
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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
Premium Small Airboat
Small Airboat: Up to 6 passengers Roundtrip Transportation: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time. Pickup included
Small Airboat - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Large Airboat with Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers Pickup Times: Pickups begin 75 minutes prior to tour time Pickup included
Large Airboat - No Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
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
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
5,117 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
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!
This was better than what...
Felisha J,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was better than what I expected . Our tour guide was great and we were able to see several gators.
Great Fun for Families
STEPHANIE P,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great experience with our tour guide, Jacob! We saw several “swamp puppies” which made the experience fun and lively. From hotel pick up, to airboat hub, to the ride, everything was organized and a well oiled machine! I highly recommend for families looking for a great experience outside of the hustle and bustle of town!
Excellent airboat ride,...
Larry H,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent airboat ride, very well organised throughout, we paid for a smaller boat for a more personal experience, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave us all the history and took us to some of the best places to see the crocs 😀
Alligators Everywhere
Johnene E,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was so fun!!! I can take airboat ride off my bucket list!!! Mark was our guide and driver!! He was THE BEST!! He made the trip so fascinating!!
Unique experience, gators galore…
Wesley N,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour! Captain Brad was amazing and real and raw. Loved the tour and saw gators everywhere. The bayou and canals were amazing from the flat bottom boats. Would do it again with the kids next time. Recommend it.
Fantastic experience!
sarahjS7536VV,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was our family’s favorite thing we did while visiting New Orleans! Our boys are 14, 10, & 7 and they said they had the best time. Our guide was TikTok and he was EXCELLENT!! So personable, knowledgeable, and funny. We did our own transportation, and it was a 25 minute drive from where we were staying in the French Quarter. Easy directions/parking/check in.
Airboat in the Bayou
Justin W,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I went in knowing kind of what to expect thanks to some youtube videos. However, it is really much better than what I saw online. There's a calming feeling as your buzzing across the water in the shallow channels looking for wildlife. Mark got us on lots of gators and some came right up to the boat. The captain was great at answering questions and providing information about what we were seeing and not seeing. It's a top notch operation and I can't wait to get back for another tour.
A must do
Joseph B,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience and loads of information about the area. Our airboat #4 captain Bret was a lot of fun.
Perfect Louisiana Swamp Adventure
Sarah M,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The swamp tour was the perfect Louisiana excursion! We saw lots of alligators and got to enjoy the incredible beauty of the swamp. Our guide was a true swamp and gator expert who made sure everyone had a fun, entertaining, and memorable experience. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area.
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Operated by Airboat Adventures