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
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
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 - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Reviews
5,021 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sad sugar lives in an empty small enclosure. The swamp is beautiful and the big catallac boat was comfy with a good tour guide
Alisha M,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Sugars enclosure is small and zero enrichment.The swamp was beautiful and the guide was fun
We really enjoyed the...
Stephanie A,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We really enjoyed the airboat ride and getting to see alligators in the wild. Our guide was very enthusiastic and engaging.
Bayou prettier than we expected
David N,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00small airboat experience was great. we did head out in some light rain, ponchos available in gift shop. definitely worth it fun informative safe. Mark was a great guide.
Captain Ronnie
Kimberly M,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had Captain Ronnie, he was amazing! A very experienced fisherman and grew up in the area, we saw gators, a bald eagle's nest and it was a beautiful day. The experience was so well run, the driver who shuttled us to and from was lovely and friendly. Would recommend and go again!
A fun 90 minutes. Loads...
Suzanne K,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A fun 90 minutes. Loads of alligators at the start and some fast/zooming boating time in 2nd half. It’s very loud, but head phones are provided. Boat has to stop for guide to give information about gators or the area. Good activity for all ages.
Maximum fun for a family
Jenna B,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an absolutely wonderful time on our airboat ride, our tour guide was funny, made sure we saw alligators and was entertaining. We cannot recommend this experience enough!
Fantastic airboat adventure!
jnewman80,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic airboat adventure! Booked thru TripAdvisor, no issues with booking, communication was great as far as reminders and where to go the day of. We did the small boat tour. Our guide Jordan was great, took us through some amazing swamp and marsh areas, saw some big ol’ gators. Would absolutely do this trip and recommend it.
A Great Day!
Angie M,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Jordan was so knowledgeable on this entire tour. From the swamp, to the marsh, the alligators, and even the intracoastal waterway. We not only had the opportunity to watch him “pet” these wild alligators from the airboat but also had a full blown history lesson. He was all about safety first but also made certain we had a great time. We highly recommend!
Gator heaven !
Amanda B,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our family had the best time on this tour (large airboat). We got to see lots of gators, we had a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. He even let our kiddos feed the gators. It’s very loud so just be prepared!
Loved it
Melissa W,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.0010/10 recommend! The captain, the experience and views were great. We saw more gators than we expected.
From US$59.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Airboat Adventures