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
Small Airboat - No Pickup
Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
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
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
Reviews
5,081 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Alligators didn’t disappoint!
Alex B,May 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Experience the bayou up close and personal. Fun airboat ride. Got to see a lot of alligators big and small!
Very organized. Fun time....
JimmyHammett,May 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very organized. Fun time. This was my third Airboat tour but first with this company. I would use them again.
Absolutely fantastic trip highly recommend it
Valerie B,May 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wow wow wow absolutely fantastic experience what a fabulous trip it was Jay our guide was amazing he took us out in the airboat to places that no other guide could go it was amazing
Highly interesting
Toni R,May 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Lots of alligator sightings, cool movie making site, very informed instructor, a nice breeze, loud sounds but will have ear protection. A smooth ride
Tour guide, Captain Jacob...
Debra M,May 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tour guide, Captain Jacob was very knowledgeable. Knew his way up n down the bayou. Great tour - a definite must do.
A wonderfully fun and beautiful experience
Terry R,May 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful experience. A lot of fun. Great guide. Short trip from New Orleans and affordable. We are three 60+ women and had a blast. Highly recommend.
Alligator Paradise
Deborah S,May 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00All parties involved enjoyed themselves to the fullest. We saw far more alligators than ever anticipated. The tour guide was very informative. I would take the tour again in the future.
Fantastic
Didier L,May 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very good impression of this activity. The setting is magnificent, and the boat pilot was wonderful.
So amazing highly...
paszievelvet,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00So amazing highly recommend. Our guide was great, very funny and knowledgeable , took us to locations where we saw lots of gators
Air boat ride
Kimberly H,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00They canceled our excursion one hour before pick up time because of the weather. It was a beautiful sunny day. Really confused about their decision.
From US$59.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Airboat Adventures