New Orleans Swamp Tours
New Orleans Swamp Tours
4.5
Boat ToursFishing Charters & ToursNature & Wildlife ToursSpeed Boats Tours
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
New Orleans Swamp Tours offers our guests a thrilling and educational high speed Airboat Swamp Tours or Private Bay Boat Tours through the heart of New Orleans’ Cajun Country. Just 25 miles from Downtown New Orleans you can visit the wild swamps and bayous that meander through seemingly endless miles of Louisiana coastline. Your New Orleans Airboat Swamp Tour will be filled with Alligators, Snakes, Frogs, Nutria, Turtles, Fish, Crabs, Raccoons, Nutria and occasional Bald Eagle! Roundtrip transportation is available for an additional fee from most hotels and Airbnb/HomeAway rentals around New Orleans. Reservations are required.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
181 reviews
Excellent
139
Very good
24
Average
8
Poor
8
Terrible
2
carafrisina
3 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
Captain Randy was incredible! This tour far exceeded our expectations. The tour was both fun, engaging, and interesting. We would recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. You should ask for Captain Randy specifically if possible - he was very passionate and entertaining.
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L S
27 contributions
Mar 2022
Loved the sightseeing boat tour of the swamp and our guide, Ron, was so informative and enthusiastic. (Hopefully, the speaker above our heads is soon fixed so others can better understand him.)
So many alligators, blue heron and other, unusual birds, as well as some flora up-close. Lots of fun to see so much wildlife, and it was pretty close to the city.
So many alligators, blue heron and other, unusual birds, as well as some flora up-close. Lots of fun to see so much wildlife, and it was pretty close to the city.
Written March 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jose N
Wickliffe, OH7 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Definitely worth the 30+ minute trip from NOLA.
The tour was fun and informational, & our tour guide had a lot of useful information.
Made the necessary stops and tried to ensure that we got the bang for our buck.
We even got to hold Justin
The tour was fun and informational, & our tour guide had a lot of useful information.
Made the necessary stops and tried to ensure that we got the bang for our buck.
We even got to hold Justin
Written February 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rgl30
Arlington, TX9 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
First, the driver who picked us up from our hotel was not polite. Never answer back hi or good bye. The captain on the boat on the other side, was really nice and entertaining, even though we couldn’t see a single alligator today. If you are coming on winter don’t expect to see them on your tour!
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue Albany
Albany, NY114 contributions
Nov 2021
Alot of choices at this place. Boats or air boats. Good seating. Good visability. The guide brought out a baby alligator to have us all hold. Very cute idea. People loved it.
I was disappointed because I wanted to see wildlife. The guide we had, had a microphone on but apparently it wasn't turned on. Even though I was in the middle of the boat and he was in the back, I couldn't hear him, especially when another boat went by. It was a waste. And , even though this is a big company and they had a number of boats out, they apparently didn't communicate with each other to scout out where the alligators were, so we could all share in it. And the few we did see, he didn't get close up to make this worth while. Bring a huge telephoto lens if you want pictures! Won't do it again.
I was disappointed because I wanted to see wildlife. The guide we had, had a microphone on but apparently it wasn't turned on. Even though I was in the middle of the boat and he was in the back, I couldn't hear him, especially when another boat went by. It was a waste. And , even though this is a big company and they had a number of boats out, they apparently didn't communicate with each other to scout out where the alligators were, so we could all share in it. And the few we did see, he didn't get close up to make this worth while. Bring a huge telephoto lens if you want pictures! Won't do it again.
Written November 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bsquares
New York City, NY10 contributions
Apr 2022
This was a highlight of our trip! Our guide, Ernie, was informative, funny, entertaining, and highly knowledgeable. We saw lots of alligators but I also enjoyed his lessons about the importance of taking care of the environment. With a degree in biology and living around the swamp all his life, he gave us a great trip.
Written April 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meghan J
3 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
It was wonderful and our guide made it even better! You could tell how passionate he was about what he did and the love he had for the wildlife. On top of that he was hilarious! Ask for T-Earl, he most definitely won’t let you down. Will definitely do again next trip.
Written March 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri C
Lisle, IL72 contributions
Mar 2022
This was a very interesting tour from the bus ride to the boat ride. A great way to fill a half a day in New Orleans. Starting point is a very convenient walk from the French Quarter. Our bus driver, Alton, was amazing in his knowledge.
Written May 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iinen
Helsinki, Finland89 contributions
Dec 2016
I booked my tour a day before it was taking place, so I don't know if the time was short for them but they never let me know when they will pick me up. I had to call their customer service where I was told that I should be already waiting for the pickup... I don't think I should have just miraculously known that.
Anyway, I was picked up and the drivers were nice and ready to share their knowledge. We had a little time to browse in the tiny souvenir shop before boarding. The Indian burial ground was a disappointment, it's basically a little hill you can see when the boat leaves the dock. The guide said probably two-three words about it, so it's nothing really to look forward to.
The boat took us pretty deep to the swamp and I got a lot of information about things I had no idea before. Very interesting stuff. Kind of wished to hear a bit more about the history of the area but our guide was more of a hunter kind of guy so he talked a lot about the fauna and especially about the alligators.
That brings me to the biggest problem of the tour. For the whole time the guide had a baby alligator in a bucket in the closet. Suddenly he pulled the poor animal out and gave it to the hands of the tourists. I didn't know such practice was still legal somewhere in the western world and I certainly would have wanted to know about it BEFORE the tour (since I wouldn't have booked it had I known). Keeping a living animal locked up in a tiny closet is both disgusting and unnecessary - the whole swamp tour is made to see the alligators in their natural habitat.
I'm okay with the fact people hunt alligators and I don't mind seeing and touching the skulls and skins the guide also had with him. They're educational (after all, how many people actually would touch an alligator skull otherwise or realize how big the teeth are etc) but the living animal kept in a space clearly too small for it and then handed to the tourists like a toy is something very clearly unacceptable.
Anyway, I was picked up and the drivers were nice and ready to share their knowledge. We had a little time to browse in the tiny souvenir shop before boarding. The Indian burial ground was a disappointment, it's basically a little hill you can see when the boat leaves the dock. The guide said probably two-three words about it, so it's nothing really to look forward to.
The boat took us pretty deep to the swamp and I got a lot of information about things I had no idea before. Very interesting stuff. Kind of wished to hear a bit more about the history of the area but our guide was more of a hunter kind of guy so he talked a lot about the fauna and especially about the alligators.
That brings me to the biggest problem of the tour. For the whole time the guide had a baby alligator in a bucket in the closet. Suddenly he pulled the poor animal out and gave it to the hands of the tourists. I didn't know such practice was still legal somewhere in the western world and I certainly would have wanted to know about it BEFORE the tour (since I wouldn't have booked it had I known). Keeping a living animal locked up in a tiny closet is both disgusting and unnecessary - the whole swamp tour is made to see the alligators in their natural habitat.
I'm okay with the fact people hunt alligators and I don't mind seeing and touching the skulls and skins the guide also had with him. They're educational (after all, how many people actually would touch an alligator skull otherwise or realize how big the teeth are etc) but the living animal kept in a space clearly too small for it and then handed to the tourists like a toy is something very clearly unacceptable.
Written March 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ncbp70
Bozeman, MT100 contributions
Oct 2019
We did the swamp tour on the pontoon boat in order to truly enjoy the swamp. That did not happen!! All of the boats take off at the same time, with one pontoon boat and four or more air boats all heading to the same area. The sound is deafening! It is difficult to hear the guide due to all of the noise from the other boats.
They feed the alligators marshmallows :(
They feed the alligators marshmallows :(
Written October 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
317allie
Indianapolis, IN234 contributions
Is the airboat safe/do able for a plus size (325lb)person?
Sharon T
Mount Vernon, KY14 contributions
Will there be boat tours during the 1st week of October 2020?
Terra B
Davenport, CA1 contribution
I’m planning on visiting NOLA this February 2020. Would you recommend a Bayou tour or will it be too cold?
Monica1124
Chicago, IL162 contributions
We were there in summer and it was hot. I don’t think it gets too cold out there but I would suggest calling the tour company and finding out how active the wildlife is.
gwen k
Huffman, TX331 contributions
I am looking for reviews specific to Bayou Swamp Tours Company NOLA
Peace L
2 contributions
I used this company in December. THere was nothing to see on the tour really very much not interesting. I have been on tours before. perhaps things have changed since Katrina. no aligators - but I know is out of season. guide did not reference those who once lived in the swamps or bring us to shacks they live or may have lived in. it was expensive. It rained all afternoon. A nice touch would have been to at least wipe off the seats which were a puddle to sit down in to begin...and perhaps have plastic rain jackets avail. also the pics they set up for in the beginning. that was never explained. I would give these guys a low rating. for many reasons. it was a waste of a day in Nola sadly with my boys. I tried to submit review at their site but while I tried 10xs it would not accept it. so I gave up.
Deb D
Morris, IL22 contributions
how much per adult is a ticket?
KeithPlaisance
New Orleans, LA3 contributions
$250 for up to 6 persons on the private bay boat swamp tour. Transportation depends on the number of persons in your party. Typically, for 6 persons, its about $80/per person
seabail45
Ohio, IL5 contributions
How did you get from your hotel to the swamp tour? what was the cost?
Are their various tours or one Swamp Tour? What was the cost
Is there anything we need to do to prepare for the Swamp Tour...we are going to NOLA this summer.
mambigtone
Norman, OK42 contributions
When you call to book the tour, they will ask if you need transportation. We drove there. They had a Groupon at the time so our rate was $18 per person.
lewfrye
Idaho Falls, Idaho3 contributions
Do you see more wildlife in the morning or at sundown?
bobjoe53566
Madison, WI142 contributions
We were there in the last year when it was hot and went in the morning.We saw lots of gators, wild pigs, swamp raccoons, birds, and were informed by our guide that you see more wildlife in the mornings if you can drive out to the tour as we did, then you have a good chance of being on the first group of boats to tour. Boats seem to disrupt the natural habitat and animals in the natural environment are the best to be viewed. Loved the morning first boat tour.
Rbakich
Chiang Mai, Thailand5 contributions
Hi!
Im a solo traveller. Do you have to rent by group, or can I just pay for one seat?
Deb M
Pennsylvania17 contributions
You can just pay for one seat. You will have a great fun educational time. I recommend! We did it with our two adult daughters (27 yrs and 28 yrs). They said it was the highlight of our New Orleans trip!
Rbakich
Chiang Mai, Thailand5 contributions
Hi!
Im a solo traveller. Do you have to rent by group, or can I just pay for one seat?
Paul K
Union Gap12 contributions
You just pay for your seat. I went with my roommate so my total was $190 ($95 each for the little boat) but, yes you just pay for one seat not for the whole boat. Also if you pay cash when you get there you get a ticket from the both in front to go into the little gift shop for a free bottle of water.