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 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.
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
Options
12:15PM Tour - 10:15AM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick ups will commence at 10:15am and return is at 3:30pm
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
2:45PM Tour - 1:15PM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick ups will commence at 1:15pm and return is at 6:00pm
Reviews
5,620 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best Bus pre tour
792sansanc,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brian was a fantastic bus host and driver. Very personable and knowledgeable. The kind of host we were hoping for in order to feel immersed in the Louisiana culture.
Great time!!
D4314BPdawnc,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver Ricky was awesome! He knew all kinds of Louisiana history and he was funny! Once we were on the water we had Captain Hunter! He was great!! He made sure we saw it all and laughed along the way! By far our favorite tour in New Orleans!
Cool tour!
SvetlanaE129,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved the experience! Despite the weather not cooperating (it was a very gray day), we saw many alligators (big and small and in-between), turtles, snakes, and adorable raccoons. Our guide, captain Hunter, was very knowledgeable of the area. We would definitely go again!
Cajun Encounters
Jeremy C,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brian was our tour bus driver. His knowledge of New Orleans was impressive. He was the best professional bus driver I have ever met! What fun time! Highly Recommend.
Exceeded my expectations
MandTHughes,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A really enjoyable tour. The whole experience was excellent. Our driver, Ricky, was great and gave us a great commentary whilst on the coach. Once in the swamp, the organisation was great. Our C and tour guide was Captain Jacob. He was absolutely fantastic. His knowledge of the wildlife was unbelievable and his stories and commentary really made the tour for us. A great way to spend half a day. The tour exceeded my expectations.
Brian is the beat bus driver!
taylorwA5701KX,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brian is the man! Very informative bus ride to the swamp tour. Appreciated the history he shared about New Orleans and his own personal experience with Hurricane Katrina.
A great way to spend half a day.
Sarah L,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was well worth it. Derek was our driver for the 45-minute ride to the boat and provided lots of anecdotes on the way as well as recommendations for places to eat. Scott was our boat captain and showed us alligators, herons, egrets, snakes and the most adorable clan of raccoons, as well as information about the ever changing river/bayou environment.
Excellent!
F8959OXjennyv,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We saw so many gators and raccoons up close and spotted lots of other wildlife. It was so fun and immersive!
Informative and Relaxing Tour!
F2410EXerinh,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our bus driver Brian was very friendly and knowledgeable about New Orleans history and culture. He made the 45 minute bus ride fun and entertaining. The swamp tour was very organized, and our boat Captain, Everett, was professional and personable. He gave us tons of information during the tour, and we saw many gaters, egrets, and racoons. A big gater swam right up beside out boat! I would highly recommend this tour!
Brian provided stories and the history of LA during the 45 minute bus drive.
A306NDmichellee,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brian was a fantastic bus driver. Great stories!
From US$70.12
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Operated by Cajun Encounters Tour Co.