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.
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
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.
12:15PM Tour - 10:15AM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick ups will commence at 10:15am and return is at 3:30pm
9:30AM Tour - 8:00AM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick ups will commence at 8:00am and return is at 12:45pm
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
A processing fee of 7.9% will be added to your payment
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
6,410 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Cajun Encounters( captain Rick)
Sunshine12516146107,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great energy! Informative tour, full of gators and other wild life would recommend
Had a great time on the Bayou Boat Tour!
ABeebe1,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a great time on our boat tour! We saw at least ten alligators up close and our guide, Rick was great and informative! Would definitely recommend
New orleans swamp tour captain rick
crotchetc,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour! Captain Rick knew so much about all the wildlife. Best captain ever!!!
Fun safe experience
A985EPjamieg,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00captain Rick from swamp tours was fun, very knowledgeable about the scenery, the bayou and animals! He was animal whisper, we saw so many gators and cracked alot of jokes! Overall great & safe experience with captain rick
One of the best tours this year
gelyne2023,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dustin the boat tour guide was outstanding and knowledgeable, answer all our questions and the bus driver Regina gave information about different things about New Orleans, great job
Great trip all the way!
stephonz2026,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Regina was a great driver and made the experience 10x better
Must Do Tour!!
opreaj,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain Dustin was amazing. Very personable, informative, and patient with my family of 17. We saw a ton of alligators, as well as spiders, raccoons, and grasshoppers. We really enjoyed this tour…. Our driver Regina was also nice. Safe ride while also pointing out various buildings and providing information on areas. This tour was amazing and I’m so glad we booked and completed with Cajun Encounters.
Swamp tour New Orleans. Captain Rick
jeremybI1105SE,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I went on a swamp tour with Cajun encounters. My tour guide was captain rick. Maybe the best captain you could get. Informative and funny. I would highly recommend it.
Swamp boat tour with captain Rick
brockjul000,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain Rick was fantastic! He was incredibly funny, kept everyone entertained the entire tour, and shared so much interesting information about the area and wildlife. Most importantly, he made us feel safe and comfortable the whole time. You can tell he’s experienced and genuinely enjoys what he does. The swamp tour was one of the highlights of our trip, and I would absolutely recommend Captain Rick to anyone looking for a fun and memorable experience!
Incredible time
Passenger33211310499,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain Rick was incredible and made my entire trip a blast. He found so many alligators and found other critters too. Thanks Cap!
Related Experiences
Operated by Cajun Encounters Tour Co.