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
9:30AM Tour - 8:00AM Pick Up
Pick Up Time: Pick ups will commence at 8:00am and return is at 12:45pm
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.
Reviews
5,446 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Both Derek and Captain...
Violeta L,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Both Derek and Captain Roy were great! It was a truly enjoyable experience, and I definitely think it’s a must when in New Orleans.
Book it!
Joselyn V,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Don’t even think, just book! This was such a fun time filled with laughs! Derek, our bus driver, was hilarious and super informative. We felt the love he has for his city and made us love it even more. He gave us some food recommendations that were going to check out before heading back home. Captain Jody was also really funny. He taught us so much about the animals we saw out there. TONS of gators and a bunch of other wildlife and nature. Jody made sure that everyone had a chance to see all of the animals as well, no matter what side of the boat you were on. Again, great time. Shoutout to Derek and Jody for a wonderful day. 10 out of 10!
Fun experience. Learned a...
Christopher L,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fun experience. Learned a lot about the swamp and its eco system. Derek, our bus driver, on the way to the boat launch provided details on the history of New Orleans and provided some food recommendations. Hunter, our boat captain, was amazing. He was very knowledgeable about the swamp and river and had a great sense of humor which made the experience memorable. Saw about 10 gators, lots of turtles and a few snakes.
Swamp Tour
neslihane202,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved my experience with Rickey and Steve! Thank you
Amazing experience for nature-lovers
K9115TIjessicah,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Overall, our experience was fantastic. Our bus driver, Ricky was very friendly and entertaining. The boat tour guide, Zander, was also incredible. He made sure we were close enough to take pictures, answered all of our questions, and brought an amazing authenticity to the tour that only a nature-loving local could do. We highly recommend the small boat experience for the more personal experience.
Had a blast and learned a lot!
R8725XVmorganw,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Derek was awesome! Learned a lot and was very friendly
best swamp tour ever.
349paigeg,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00started off with mr. ricky driving our bus. he was hilarious and so kind. the drive was amazing, the place was even better. very organized, great gift shop, nice staff. best part, captain dennis at the helm of the boat. i have been on swamp tours, this was the best by far. we saw gators, turtles, raccoons, great blue herons, egrets, snakes. it was so fun, and went above expectations.
Do this tour and ask for Derek!
amysD1433WW,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Derek transported us safely to and from our tour and gave us some amazingly helpful advice about what to experience in New Orleans. We really appreciated him and the tour
Shout-out Derek
jonnyn699,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00had a great experience with Derek, learned a TON about the city and culture and it certainly made the 40, maybe 45 minute trip more enjoyable
Honey Island Swamp Tour is a must do.
dayrae22,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a highlight of our trip and cannot recommend this company enough. We did the honey Island Swamp tour. The transportation was super easy and the bus was very comfortable. Our driver was very engaging and friendly and we learned a lot about the area and Hurricane Katrina. Aaron was a great swamp guide and knew a lot about the fauna and animals that live in the swamp. He was skilled at navigating and told some fun stories of growing up in the area that was fun to hear. He did talk in detail about how to hunt the animals which we didn’t enjoy and would have liked to hear more about conservation efforts, but I am sure many in the audience enjoyed this. We appreciated his authentic and down to earth personality.
From US$70.12
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Operated by Cajun Encounters Tour Co.