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.
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Options
Large Airboat with Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers Pickup Times: Pickups begin 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
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
Large Airboat - No Pickup
Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
Private Small Airboat
Private Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes 10 Passenger Airboat
Reviews
5,109 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
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.
Had an amazing time!
Elizabeth J,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Captain Cory was great. Funny! The gators showed up for us in a big way. Scenery was amazing. The airboat was loud, I imagine the pontoon boats are much quieter but it was so cool when he hit an open spot and got on the gas. Loved this experience! Wear sunscreen please!
Must Do Trip!
tiffany m,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very fun, knowledgeable guide. He was great, answered all questions thrown his way. We saw tons of gators.
Great time, memories made.
lindseycP8812KO,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Good time, great experience! We got to see a lot of the bayous and gators!
Fun and exciting. Had a...
JoMarie W,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fun and exciting. Had a great guide that provided a lot of information on the trip. We really enjoyed it. Was different and unique!
Gators Galore
Tanika W,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00We booked this adventure to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation. This was my daughter's Princess and the Frog dream come true! Our guide was very knowledgeable and funny. He might just be the Gator Whisperer. We had 7 alligators approach the boat! I definitely would recommend this experience.
A must when in New Orleans
Charles D,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00TikTok was a great tour guide taking us through the swamp and interacting with gators. Had hoped to see some other wildlife but really enjoyed the 1.5hrs. And the transportation was punctual and entertaining on the 30min drive from our hotel.
Great tour!
Collin B,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was my first time in Louisiana - taking the Amtrak coast to coast, and had couple days in New Orleans. Decided the night before to book this tour, and it was a highlight of my time there! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the plant and animal life in the area, and was great at explaining what we were looking at. We got real up close to several gators too, which was really cool. Would definitely recommend if you're in the area and have an afternoon!
From US$59.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Airboat Adventures