Louisiana · NEW ORLEANS SWAMP TOURS

Swamp Tours from New Orleans: The 15 Best Boats Into the Bayou

86 tours  ·  from $32 a head

Airboat or covered flat boat, Honey Island or the Manchac, pickup or drive yourself: those choices decide the day. The 15 below are compared on all three, with prices per person.

New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation - What you may see among the cypress and foliage
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New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation

1.New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,399 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $70Our pick

Ride from the French Quarter to Honey Island Swamp, then spend two hours aboard a 22-passenger flat-bottom boat. A local captain points out alligators, birds and other wildlife while explaining Cajun life and wetland preservation. The boat passes a Cajun settlement accessible only by water. Wildlife sightings vary, especially in cold weather.

“a lot of information provided by captin steve. he made sure that every single person saw the things he pointed out”

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New Orleans Airboat Ride - Inside the cypress swamp
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New Orleans Airboat Ride

2.New Orleans Airboat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,891 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $59

Head about 30 miles from New Orleans to Lafitte for an airboat ride through mossy cypress swamp. Choose a six-to-eight-person boat or a larger boat, and watch for alligators, turtles, and native birds. Local captains such as Ronnie, Mark, and Captain TikTok are known for mixing bayou stories with wildlife facts. Hotel transport is optional.

“Excellent service from start to finish, well paced communication about pick up times, quick safe, courteous driver, welcoming staff quick processing, AirBoat Captain TiKTok was a native Bayou Boy, wouldn’t want anyone else piloting for us. Great time 10/10 recommend.”

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Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans - Choosing Oak Alley or Destrehan
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Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans

3.Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,303 reviews · 7 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $131

Spend about eight hours beyond New Orleans, visiting Oak Alley or Destrehan Plantation before cruising Manchac Swamp on a covered pontoon boat. Expect plantation stories, moss-draped cypress trees, and possible sightings of alligators, raccoons, wild hogs, and birds. The bus leaves from Toulouse Street in the French Quarter; the plantation depends on your departure time.

“The swamp tour was great. Very enjoyable. The Oak Alley plantation was interesting, but the house tour was decidedly lacking. Little information about the house itself. The tour guide was unenthusiastic, at best. Relatively details about the home itself. Our bus tour guide (Jane?) was excellent. Very interesting and informative.”

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New Orleans Self-Transport Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour - A small boat for narrow swamp passages
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New Orleans Self-Transport Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour

4.New Orleans Self-Transport Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,824 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $37

Meet in Slidell for a two-hour ride on an open-air boat capped at 22 passengers. Your guide threads narrow swamp passages, points out wildlife, explains Cajun life and wetland preservation, and passes a village reached only by boat. Guides include Jody, Emmett, Wade, and others. You arrange your own transport from New Orleans.

“I would have liked to see more gators but we had fun anyway! I feel like it was a good experience, we all had fun.”

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New Orleans: High Speed 16 Passenger Airboat Ride - Alligators, birds and the luck of the day
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New Orleans: High Speed 16 Passenger Airboat Ride

5.High Speed 16 Passenger Airboat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,380 reviews · 100 minutes - 4 hours · from $65

From a dock near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, take a 100-minute airboat ride through shallow marshes where alligators and birds may appear close to the boat. Stadium-style seats help keep your view clear, and a local captain shares stories about swamp life. Optional hotel pickup adds a bus ride from New Orleans.

“The guide was wonderful and so knowledgeable about the area. My wife and I enjoyed the whole experience.”

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New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure - The captain makes the ride
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New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure

6.New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,855 reviews · 1 hour 40 minutes (approx.) · from $35

From Marrero, cruise the Barataria wetlands for about 1 hour 40 minutes aboard a covered boat with cushioned seats, adjustable windows, and a restroom. A local captain shares stories about the swamp, its wildlife, a Cajun cemetery, an Indian burial mound, and a traditional fishing village. Alligator sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

“Fun trip. Great guide recommended. Educational and peppered with lots of humor. Got to hold a baby gator.”

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Large Airboat Swamp Tour with Transportation from New Orleans - The airboat ride: speed, stillness, and swamp details
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Large Airboat Swamp Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

7.Large Airboat Swamp Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,832 reviews · 4 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Leave downtown New Orleans by air-conditioned coach for a two-hour airboat ride through the wetlands near Barataria Preserve. A local captain steers a 16-passenger boat at speeds up to 25 mph, mixing fast runs with slow wildlife spotting and photo stops. Alligators are often seen, but winter sightings are less predictable.

“Cool tour! Company could use advances like walkie talkies for the guides, or Bluetooth headsets so guides could communicate to tourists and or between themselves. Our guide took us to a dying 50 yr old gator on the side. He hadn’t moved in days and we spent almost the entire time there. While other people on our bus saw babies close by. Would be nice if guides could communicate to get everyone the best experience. My memory is of the dying guy “cool” and I didn’t want a photo with him because he’s sitting there dying. Wasn’t too impressed by that. But the tour and the swamps are really cool.”

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Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour with Downtown New Orleans Pickup - The Airboat: Speed, Shallow Water, and Big Views
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Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour with Downtown New Orleans Pickup

8.Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour with Downtown New Orleans Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,621 reviews · 4 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Travel from your downtown New Orleans hotel to Barataria Preserve, then spend about 1 hour and 40 minutes on an airboat with a local captain. Expect bursts of speed, quieter wildlife stops, and stories about the swamp. Captains such as BeBop, Dewey, Ernie, Ian, and Bobby have led trips, but your guide may vary.

“We booked the Airboat Swamp tour with Loiusiana Tour Co. Highly, highly recommend. The entire experience was fantastic - special shout out to our guide Bebop and his mate Benny!”

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New Orleans Manchac Bayou Swamp Cruise W/ Optional Pick-Up - Timing, weather, and what to bring
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New Orleans Manchac Bayou Swamp Cruise W/ Optional Pick-Up

9.New Orleans Manchac Bayou Swamp Cruise W/ Optional Pick-Up

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,587 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Take a 90-minute pontoon cruise through Manchac Bayou with a local captain who points out swamp wildlife, cypress trees, and the history of Frenier. You may spot alligators, raccoons, wild hogs, turtles, and birds. Optional shuttle pickup from many New Orleans hotels adds a narrated drive to the swamp.

“Great, we loved the swamp tour and even got to hold a baby alligator. It wasn’t rushed and our swamp guide was great!! Saw lots of gators, hogs, and raccoons as well!!”

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Guided Boat Tour of New Orleans Bayou - What you might see among the trees
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Guided Boat Tour of New Orleans Bayou

10.Guided Boat Tour of New Orleans Bayou

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,452 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Take a 90-minute pontoon boat ride through the cypress swamps near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park. A local captain points out wildlife and shares live commentary as you look for alligators, turtles, wading birds, and more. Hotel pickup is available with selected bookings. Wildlife sightings vary, and some trips include alligator feeding.

“The boat captain was very entertaining and enthusiastic. I was born and raised in Louisiana and I’ve took so much for granted or I would say, that’s for the tourists. I was wrong!”

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New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Alligator Tour - Cajun stories alongside the wildlife
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New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Alligator Tour

11.New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Alligator Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,307 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes to 4 hours (approx.) · from $35

Travel from the French Quarter by coach, or meet at the launch point, for a narrated cruise through Barataria Preserve. Expect a covered pontoon boat, wetland scenery, and chances to spot alligators, egrets, raccoons, and nutria. Captains named AJ, EJ, Bob, and Ed have led departures, but your crew may differ.

“Bayou swamp tour was very interactive and great for kids and adults. We saw tons of alligators 🐊 and we even saw cattle 🐄 along the river basin of the bayou. The the history of the bayou was so magical and you could truly see the inspiration behind Princess and the Frog 🐸”

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Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans - Laura Plantation and the lives behind the house
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Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans

12.Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,246 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $279

Spend about nine hours outside New Orleans, with hotel pickup, a small-group van ride, a Cajun-led airboat trip, Laura Plantation, and lunch and a guided tour at Houmas House. Guides such as Gisele, Robert, and Rene have been praised for lively local history. The airboat is not suitable for children under five, pregnant people, or anyone with certain back or neck concerns.

“wonderful day! our guide Giselle, was charming and so informative. the airboat was so much fun with lots of alligators, birds and fauna. both plantations were different and fascinating. great lunch also. i highly recommend Isabells’s tours and Giselle.”

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New Orleans: Bayou Swamp Tour and Oak Alley Plantation Tour - Oak Alley’s oaks and plantation history
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New Orleans: Bayou Swamp Tour and Oak Alley Plantation Tour

13.Bayou Swamp Tour and Oak Alley Plantation Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,147 reviews · 7h 30m · from $125

Take a narrated boat ride through Manchac Swamp, where you may spot alligators, turtles, birds, raccoons, or wild pigs, then visit Oak Alley Plantation, built in 1837 to 1839. Hotel pickup, transport, swamp tour, and plantation entry are included. Bring lunch, water, comfortable shoes, and a phone you can answer during pickup.

“This was such a great time today! From the driver to the swamp tour guide to our guides at the plantation, everyone was wonderful.”

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New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure with Transportation - Stories make the waterway more than scenery
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New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure with Transportation

14.New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure with Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,008 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $60

Ride from a downtown New Orleans hotel to the Barataria Swamp for a narrated boat trip with a local captain. Expect cushioned seats, a roof, windows you can adjust for the weather and room to move around. Captains such as Ernie, Bobby and Dewey share local stories and point out wildlife. Alligators are possible, not guaranteed, especially in winter.

“Tour guide was absolutely professional and patient and provided a great touring experience. The transportation felt great and was easy going.”

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Small-Group Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour - Getting comfortable in a tandem kayak
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Small-Group Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour

15.Small-Group Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 973 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

From a central New Orleans pickup, paddle a tandem kayak through the narrow waterways of Manchac and Maurepas swamps with a guide and a group capped at eight. You’ll get a brief lesson and all equipment. Alligators, turtles, owls, and other wildlife may appear, though sightings vary.

“Ali was such a great guide. Our group was mostly first timers and Ali made sure everyone felt comfortable and confident on the water. She was super knowledgeable on all of the wildlife and vegetation and was able to teach us so much about the area. Saw a decent amount of alligators too! Overall an amazing experience and a great way to feel immersed in nature.”

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New in New Orleans Swamp Tours

★ 5.0New Orleans Self-Guided Kayak Bayou Swamp Tour9 reviews
★ 4.0Ultimate Swamp Tour Experience with Transportation from New OrleansFrom $6562 reviews
★ 4.5Small Airboat and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New OrleansFrom $17823 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour of the Honey Island Swamp4 reviews
★ 5.0Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans50 reviews
★ 5.0Honey Island Swamp Private Tour with Transport from New Orleans10 reviews
★ 5.0New Orleans Premium Six-Passenger Airboat AdventureFrom $1199 reviews
★ 4.5Oak Alley Plantation and Airboat Combo Tour by BusFrom $1526 reviews
★ 5.0Bayou Booze Cruise Near New OrleansFrom $5511 reviews
★ 5.0New Orleans Driving Tour with Bayou St. John, City Park, TremeFrom $5016 reviews
★ 5.0N’awlins Luxury: Whitney Plantation & Pontoon Swamp Tour w/TransportationFrom $14015 reviews
★ 4.5Full-Day Whitney Plantation & Airboat Swamp Tour w/TransferFrom $15512 reviews
★ 4.5Full-Day Oak Alley Plantation & Airboat Swamp w/TransferFrom $1555 reviews
★ 4.5Full-Day Laura Plantation & Airboat Swamp Tour with Pick upFrom $1553 reviews
★ 5.0Laura Plantation and Airboat Tour Combo with Hotel PickupFrom $1527 reviews

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