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
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
2:45PM Tour - 1:15PM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick ups will commence at 1:15pm and return is at 6:00pm
9:30AM Tour - 8:00AM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick ups will commence at 8:00am and return is at 12:45pm
Reviews
5,842 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
History on the ride and tour
arnetam2020,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience both to Ang from swamp. Safe clean bus.
Our Bayou adventure!
Susanne P,May 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was such an amazing trip. Captain Jacob was awesome and provided great information. He made sure we enjoyed our trip and we took great pictures. Our driver Justina was terrific and gave us info on the history of the bayou. This was a great choice during our first trip to New Orleans.
Excellent and exciting
N4530YCjustins,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great Time! Bus driver: Regina Tour guide: Emmett If you are looking for an authentic Louisiana swamp experience, Cajun Encounters is the real deal. We went out expecting to see some scenery, but we ended up getting an up close look at some of the biggest gators I’ve ever seen and a lot of other wildlife!
Great trip
H2206ZQkateb,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful experience with Justina! She was fun and told us some new Orleans facts along the way. Would recommend
More than just gators!
sgeorge2000om,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was amazing! It started off with transportation from New Orleans with our fantastic driver Regina. Then we got the tour with Captain Matt. Matt was extremely knowledgeable about the flora & fauna in the area. I was very confident in his handling of the boat. His love for the nature and area in general is very evident. I can 100% recommend.
Family Friendly Gator Tour
Sightsee571798,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Regina, our tour bus driver was so kind and made our drive to and from the swamp tour so easy. She was patient, personable and very friendly. For our boat tour, we had Dennis, he was such a great guide, made sure we got pictures and videos of the wildlife. We saw so many gators, raccoons and a snake! He was very informational in an engaging way. Would highly recommend a tour!
Gator Time!
jolieh124,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bus driver Regina and Captain Emmett were great!!! The bus ride itself as well as on the boat. Very funny and very nice!!
Had a great time
janetV3359HG,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Good tour guide; fun tour; a little long
Excellent swamp tour and bus ride
164lukau,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent swamp tour, we saw all sorts of different animals. Ride on a bus from New Orleans was also pleasant, because our driver Derek explained the city.
Worthwhile swamp tour
jillsE4493ZL,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great driver, Derek, who gave us lots of NOLA history and food recommendations on the way. And a great guide for the boat tour, Xander. We saw raccoons, gators, turtles, herons, and more. Highly recommend!
From US$70.12
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Operated by Cajun Encounters Tour Co.