New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Meet your guide for pickup in downtown New Orleans and head for a 2-hour boat tour in Honey Island Swamp, a wildlife preserve that is one of the last protected wetlands in Louisiana. Visit a Cajun village only accessible by boat; learn about the animals and plants in the lush swamps; and get close to wildlife that are out and active with an expert local guide.
Please note that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
PLEASE NOTE: tour ONLY picks up from the location listed. Pick ups from any other location cannot be accommodated.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Free parking on site
Transportation from downtown New Orleans
Life Jackets for guests under 16 years old
Wildlife encounters
Live commentary on board
Professional tour guide
Food and drinks
Gratuities
What To Expect
Lake Pontchartrain
After pickup in central New Orleans, it's a short drive across Lake Pontchartrain to Honey Island Swamp, a wildlife preserve that is one of the last protected wetlands in Louisiana.
Your guide welcomes you aboard a custom-made 22-passenger flat-bottom boat. The smaller sized, quiet boat can fit through narrow passages in the swamp foliage so that you see more and get closer to wildlife. As your guide explains the history of Louisiana’s wetlands and swamp ecosystem, be on the lookout for alligators, raccoons, owls, wild boar, nutria, snakes, turtles, black bears, bald eagles and other bird species. Get a close look at some wild gators as your guide shares facts about the toothy beasts, who can weigh up to 1,000 pounds (453 kg). Glide safely through the fertile swamplands, learning about Cajun culture and how local people have utilized the swamp for food, homes, and medicine. You even see an authentic Cajun village that is only accessible by boat. Gain an understanding of why the wetlands are slowly disappearing and about the efforts being made to preserve Louisiana's natural treasures. After a fascinating 2-hour boat tour, your guide returns you to shore.
Options
12:15PM Tour - 10:15AM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick ups will commence at 10:15am and return is at 3:30pm
2:45PM Tour - 1:15PM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick ups will commence at 1:15pm and return is at 6:00pm
5PM Tour - 3:30PM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick up will commence at 3:30pm and return is at 8:15pm.
9:30AM Tour - 8:00AM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick ups will commence at 8:00am and return is at 12:45pm
Reviews
5,298 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour! Skip the Souvenirs
Trillium B,
Oct 27, 2025
- Viator
5.00Cajun Encounters was great. Our bus driver, Brian, was super and even waited for me when I got stuck in line at the register! Captain Steve took us to see all the amazing creatures. We saw gators, wild hogs, turtles, birds, raccoons, and more. The bayou is spectacular and everyone was informative and helpful. My only complaint is that if you want to buy a souvenir while the next tour is coming inside to check in, you will wait in line FOREVER!! They desperately need an outdoor station to check in for tours and reserve the store for purchasing.
A must do experience in New Orleans!
Victoria O,
Oct 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00Captain Randy was absolutely fantastic! We saw alligators, loads of different birds, racoons, turtles and more on our trip around the swamp. He shared loads of brilliant facts about the animals and flora found in the area and we had a fantastic time!
Captain Scott aka swamp...
Sarah H,
Oct 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00Captain Scott aka swamp ninja was great! My group also missed our time and we were able to reschedule our reservation for another day which was so nice!! The bus ride there was also very informative and fun
Captain Dave was...
Laura G,
Oct 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00Captain Dave was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and very fun He knows the area very well. We got to see many alligators, tortoise and raccoons
Great backwater and alligator boat tour.
Sally R,
Oct 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00The swamp tour was super fun! Captain Tony was knowledgeable, friendly and a great captain! We saw numerous alligators and lots of wildlife. There were quite a few other boats so we had to move around and accommodate them but it did not take away from the tour. We were lucky as the weather was perfect for our trip.
Related Experiences
Operated by Cajun Encounters Tour Co.