7 Best Airboat Swamp Tours in New Orleans
Welcome to the Bayou State! Louisiana is home to some of the most unique and diverse ecosystems in the country.
And there’s no better way to explore them than by taking one of the airboat swamp tours in New Orleans.
In this post, we’ll be highlighting some of the best airboat swamp tours in New Orleans, where you’ll have the chance to see everything from alligators and snakes to rare birds and other wildlife.
During our trip to New Orleans with the kids, this was one of the tours that we enjoyed most.
It’s not only perfect for kids of all ages, but it’s also a great way to learn a little about Louisiana’s plants and wildlife while having some fun.
Best Airboat Swamp Tour in New Orleans
🐊 Don’t have time to read the whole article? The Small-Group Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans is the best airboat swamp tour in New Orleans, with 1,100+ stellar reviews!
We have vetted all the tours in this article to make sure they’re highly rated and well-reviewed — all you need to do is book and enjoy!
The Louisiana swampland is an incredible ecosystem filled with amazing plants and wildlife — so you really can’t go wrong with any of the tours featured here.
In other words, your incredible experience awaits!
Below, you’ll find 7 of the Top Airboat Swamp Tours in New Orleans. So, you can feel confident knowing that you are making the right choice when booking your tour.
Our Top 3 Picks: Best Airboat Swamp Tours in New Orleans
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Small-Group Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans
✔️ Lunch at Houmas House
✔️ Over 1,114+ stellar reviews
Small-Group Half-Day Airboat Swamp Adventure & Plantation Tour from New Orleans
✔️ Tour of Destrehan Plantation
✔️ High-speed airboat ride
Oak Alley Plantation and Large Airboat Swamp Tour from New Orleans
✔️ Explore the plantation
✔️ Hotel pickup and drop-off
Best Airboat Swamp Tours in New Orleans
1. Small-Group Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 9 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
🐊 The Small-Group Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch Includes:
Explore Beyond the French Quarter: Go beyond the touristy spots and dive deep into the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole cultures on this full-day Small-Group Airboat and Plantations Tour.
Thrilling Airboat Adventure: Feel the rush as you zip through remote cypress swamps on a high-speed airboat.
Get up close to nature and spot alligators and pelicans along the way.
Awesome experience! Loved the airboat and the lunch was so delicious! Plantation houses were beautiful as well… so informative and fun! Loved this tour!!!
— Amy_H (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Rich History and Architecture: Immerse yourself in the history of the Houmas House and Laura Plantation.
Enjoy the awesome architecture and learn the fascinating stories behind these well-preserved Southern plantations.
Gourmet Southern Lunch: Indulge in an unlimited buffet lunch at the Houmas House, enjoying delicious Southern cuisine while surrounded by the elegance of a traditional plantation.
It’s the perfect way to refuel and relax during your adventure.
If you are only going to be visiting Louisiana for a few days, this tour is a perfect addition to your New Orleans itinerary.
💡 Things to Keep in Mind:
2. Small-Group Half-Day Airboat Swamp Adventure & Plantation Tour from New Orleans
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
🐊 The Small-Group Half-Day Airboat Swamp Adventure & Plantation Tour Includes:
Experience Real Cajun Country: Get a taste of authentic Cajun culture as you head out on a high-speed airboat adventure through the scenic bayous of Cajun Country.
Feel the excitement of the swamp as you zip through tree-lined swampland on this mall-Group Half-Day Airboat Swamp Adventure & Plantation Tour.
Up-Close Wildlife Encounters: Keep your eyes peeled as you cruise through the bayous, where you’ll have the chance to spot a variety of local wildlife, from curious nutria to incredible alligators and giant catfish. It’s a wildlife lover’s dream!
😍 What Past Guests Have Said
Experienced the trip with my family from out of town. [Our Guide] was a true NOLA native and went way beyond expectations. Loved the plantation tour and actually learned a few things about my home state. Highly recommend.
— Vicki_J (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Step Back in Time at Destrehan Plantation: Immerse yourself in the elegance of the antebellum South with a stop at Destrehan Plantation.
Walk through history with costumed guides who bring the past to life, and take some free time to explore the stunning plantation grounds.
Scenic Drive Along Lake Pontchartrain: Enjoy the scenic beauty of a drive along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, adding even more charm to your day of adventure.
💡 Things to Keep in Mind:
3. Oak Alley Plantation and Large Airboat Swamp Tour from New Orleans
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
🐊 The Oak Alley Plantation and Large Airboat Swamp Tour Includes:
Two-in-One Adventure: Why settle for one experience when you can have two in a single day?
This Large Airboat Swamp Tour takes you on a thrilling airboat swamp ride and an immersive visit to the iconic Oak Alley Plantation, offering the best of both worlds in one convenient package.
Oak Alley Plantation Charm: Step back in time as you tour the elegant Oak Alley Plantation.
Explore the antebellum mansion and stroll along oak-shaded paths, even stopping by the blacksmith shop during your free time.
😍 What Past Guests Have Said
This was a great tour. The guides were great and transportation was perfect. Couldn’t have asked for a better tour… We were a family of mom, dad, and 18 year old son. It was a great value since it included transportation plus all day tours.
— Yvonne_M (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Wildlife and Photo Opportunities: Hop aboard the airboat and set off on an adventure through the swamp.
Keep your camera ready to capture alligators and other fascinating swamp critters.
Hassle-Free Transportation: Leave the logistics to your guide. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip hotel transport from New Orleans, ensuring a stress-free day of exploration.
So, whether you’re drawn to the allure of the plantation or the excitement of the swamp, this tour has you covered from start to finish.
💡 Things to Keep in Mind:
4. Small-Group Bayou Airboat Ride with Transport from New Orleans
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
🐊 The Small-Group Bayou Airboat Ride Includes:
Thrilling Airboat Adventure: Experience the thrill of Louisiana’s wild bayou country on an exciting airboat tour.
The Small-Group Bayou Airboat Ride, with a maximum of 13 passengers, zips through tree-lined marshes at speeds of up to 45 mph (72 kph), making it an exhilarating ride for the whole family.
Lively Commentary and Wildlife: While onboard, you won’t just see the lush marsh scenery – you’ll also hear entertaining facts and stories about the region from your knowledgeable guide.
Keep your eyes peeled for native wildlife, including alligators, nutria, and native birds, adding the perfect touch of adventure to your journey.
😍 What Past Guests Have Said
We had a wonderful time on this tour, start to finish. We expected to enjoy ourselves but we didn’t know how much fun it would be. Our guide was great, informative, knowledgeable and experienced. I would go on this tour again, if given the chance.
— Diane_W (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Personalized Experience: With the small-group tour limited to just 14 people, you’re guaranteed a more personalized and intimate experience.
Get up close and personal with the beauty of the bayou without feeling crowded.
Hassle-Free Transportation: Enjoy the ease of pickup and drop-off from downtown New Orleans and French Quarter hotels, ensuring a stress-free start and end to your adventure.
💡 Things to Keep in Mind:
5. Small-Group Swamp Tour by Airboat with Downtown New Orleans Pickup
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
🐊 The Small-Group Swamp Tour by Airboat Includes:
Intimate Swamp Experience: Get up close and personal with the iconic New Orleans swamplands on the Small-Group Swamp Tour by Airboat.
With a maximum of only nine passengers, you’ll enjoy an intimate atmosphere and have plenty of space to soak in the scenic views.
Exciting Alligator Encounters: Cruise the atmospheric waterways and keep your camera ready as you search for alligators in their natural habitat.
The professional guide will provide insights into these incredible creatures, making it an educational and thrilling adventure.
😍 What Past Guests Have Said
Great experience for the entire family. Fun and educational. Guides are exceptional historians and guardians of the swamps of the lower Mississippi delta.
— David_D (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Adrenaline-Pumping Fun: Experience the perfect blend of excitement and serenity as you alternate between high-speed bursts and gentle cruising.
These regular stops not only offer fantastic photo opportunities but also allow you to get a better look at the flora and fauna of the area.
Hassle-Free Transportation: Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation by a comfortable, air-conditioned coach from your Downtown New Orleans hotel.
No need to worry about logistics – just sit back, relax, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through the scenic swamplands.
💡 Things to Keep in Mind:
6. New Orleans Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
🐊 The New Orleans Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour Includes:
Explore Enchanting Swamplands: Dive into the captivating beauty of New Orleans’ vast swamplands on a thrilling Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour.
Experience the unique charm of these waterways, rich in flora and fauna, as you cruise through picturesque scenery.
Up-Close Alligator Encounters: Keep your eyes peeled as you scour the waterways for sightings of alligators and other native animals and birds.
😍 What Past Guests Have Said
The beauty of the bayou and the knowledge shared about the habitat and animals that live there was made this tour memorable!! Highly recommend!
— Lorenda_N (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Excitement and Serenity in One: Feel the exhilaration of high-speed bursts mixed with the tranquillity of gentle cruising.
These regular stops not only offer fantastic photo opportunities but also allow you to truly connect with the mesmerizing surroundings.
Personalized Small-Group Experience: Enjoy the intimate atmosphere of a small-group tour, limited to just 9 passengers.
This means you’ll receive personalized attention from your guide, ensuring that your trip through the swamplands is engaging and memorable.
💡 Things to Keep in Mind:
7. Large Airboat Swamp Tour with New Orleans Pick Up
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
🐊 The Large Airboat Swamp Tour Includes:
Unveil Swamp Secrets: Head out on an adventure like no other as you uncover the mysteries of the New Orleans swamps on the thrilling Large Airboat Swamp Tour.
Led by a professional guide, you’ll delve into the heart of this unique ecosystem.
Wildlife Encounters: Get ready for an up-close encounter with alligators and other wildlife that call the swamps home.
Your guide will provide a fascinating commentary about the area’s flora and fauna, making this journey an educational and exciting one.
😍 What Past Guests Have Said
Easy pickup at hotel. Extremely knowledgeable guide who cares about the swamps and marshlands. Very interesting narrative and yes, many alligator sightings.
— Joe_M (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Adrenaline-Pumping Excitement: Feel the rush as your driver accelerates to high speeds, taking you on an adrenaline-fueled ride.
But don’t worry, there are also regular stops that allow you to capture fantastic photographs and fully appreciate the beauty of the swamps.
Convenient Transportation: Leave the logistics to your guide. Enjoy the comfort of round-trip transportation by air-conditioned coach, ensuring a hassle-free experience from the moment you step out of your hotel in New Orleans.
💡 Things to Keep in Mind:
Top Airboat Swamp Tours in New Orleans – FAQs
The best times to take an airboat swamp tour in Louisiana vary depending on the location and the tour operator. However, generally, the early morning and late afternoon are considered the best times for wildlife viewing. It’s also best to avoid the heat of the midday sun.
Yes, children can typically go on airboat swamp tours in Louisiana. Some tour operators may have minimum age requirements or may require children to be accompanied by an adult.
Some tour operators may have weight or height restrictions for safety reasons, but this varies depending on the tour operator.
On an airboat swamp tour in Louisiana, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife such as alligators, snakes, turtles, and birds. You may also see different types of plants and trees that are unique to the area. The specific wildlife and plants you’ll see will depend on the tour operator, location, and time of year.
Airboat swamp tours typically operate rain or shine, but some tour operators may cancel or reschedule tours in the event of severe weather. Also, it’s a good idea to bring a rain jacket, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Yes, you can bring your own camera on an airboat swamp tour. However, it’s important to make sure that your camera is secure and protected from any potential water damage.
Yes, airboat swamp tours are generally considered safe. Tour operators are required to follow strict safety guidelines and regulations, and the boats themselves are designed to be stable and easy to maneuver.
On an airboat swamp tour in Louisiana, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife such as alligators, snakes, turtles, and birds. You may also see different types of plants and trees that are unique to the area. The specific wildlife and plants you’ll see will depend on the tour operator, location, and time of year.
Best Airboat Swamp Tour in New Orleans
🐊 Skipped to the bottom? The Small-Group Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans is the best airboat swamp tour in New Orleans, with 1,100+ stellar reviews!
Final Thoughts
Louisiana is home to some of the most unique and diverse ecosystems in the country, and taking an airboat swamp tour is the perfect way to explore them.
Whether you’re a nature lover or just looking for a fun and exciting adventure, there’s a tour out there for you.
So if you’re planning a trip to Louisiana, be sure to add one of our suggestions for the best airboat swamp tour in New Orleans to your itinerary. It’s an experience you’ll never forget!
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