Option 1
Airboat (small or large)
- Ages 5+ and 48"+
- Yes — both requirements must be met
- Under 5 or under 48"
- No
- Expectant mothers
- No — choose the covered boat
- Standard-width wheelchair users
- Use the covered boat
Airboat age and height requirements for a New Orleans swamp tour
Both Airboat Requirements Apply
To ride an airboat, every guest must be at least 5 years old and 48 inches tall. Kids under 5, kids under 48 inches, and expectant mothers take the covered pontoon instead — the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou tour with a quieter, smoother ride. A standard-width wheelchair can board the covered boat. Call 504-618-1692 to book the right option.
Get Help Booking the Right Boat
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The Airboat Rule and the Family Alternative
Airboat riders must meet both minimums: age 5 or older and height 48 inches or taller. Meeting only one requirement is not enough.
The covered pontoon welcomes all ages and is the right choice for younger or shorter children and expectant mothers. It follows the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes route as the airboats.
Airboat: Open, loud, and fast. Ear protection is provided.
Covered pontoon: Quieter, slower, smoother, and fully shaded by an awning.
Wheelchair boarding: A standard-width wheelchair can board the covered tour boat. Call with specific boarding questions so the booking team can plan.
Why Airboats Have an Age and Height Rule
Airboats are open, loud, and fast. The age and height minimums are the safety standard for that ride, and both apply to every airboat passenger.
Ear protection is provided on airboats. Families who prefer a quieter ride can choose the covered pontoon even when every child qualifies for the airboat.
Small airboat: 6 to 10 passengers; every rider must be at least 5 years old and 48 inches tall.
Large airboat: 15 to 27 passengers; the same age and height rules apply.
The Covered Pontoon for Families and Accessibility Needs
The covered pontoon welcomes guests of all ages, including toddlers. Expectant mothers should choose this boat for a smooth experience rather than booking an airboat.
A standard-width wheelchair can board the covered tour boat. Call 504-618-1692 or use the request-a-call form with specific boarding questions so the booking team can plan before you reserve.
Ride feel: Quieter, slower, and smoother than an airboat.
Shade: A full awning provides cover throughout the ride.
Same tour: The covered pontoon follows the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou route as the airboats.
Same Bayou Route, Different Ride Feel
Small airboats, large airboats, and covered pontoons all follow the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou route. Choose based on comfort, noise, shade, and who is in your party — not a different destination or a promise of different wildlife.
The booking office collaborates with hand-picked tour operators and Coast Guard-certified captains. Bayou Swamp Tours does not claim to own every boat.
How to Book with Kids or a Mixed-Age Group
Call 504-618-1692 or request a call. Tell the booking team each child's age and height and whether anyone is expecting or needs wheelchair boarding. For a group that may need more than one boat type, call so the team can check the available arrangements; split boarding is not guaranteed.
The dock is about 30 minutes from downtown New Orleans. Optional hotel pickup from the French Quarter, New Orleans City Center, and Eastern Garden District is available for an extra fee; call to add it.
Check in: Arrive at the dock 15 to 30 minutes before departure.
Departures: 8 am, 9:45 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. The 6 pm departure is subject to daylight.
Booking help: Call 504-618-1692 when age, height, boarding, or mixed-group details are uncertain.
A quick decision guide
Airboat and Covered Pontoon Eligibility Rules
Use both age and height when checking airboat eligibility. The covered pontoon provides an alternative for families and guests who should not take an airboat.
1Start with the ride feel, then check who can board.
Option 2
Covered pontoon
- Ages 5+ and 48"+
- Yes
- Under 5 or under 48"
- Yes — all ages are welcome
- Expectant mothers
- Yes
- Standard-width wheelchair users
- Yes — call so the team can plan boarding
All three choices follow the same route. Scan each option for the details that matter to your group.
| Who | Airboat (small or large) | Covered pontoon |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 5+ and 48"+ | Yes — both requirements must be met | Yes |
| Under 5 or under 48" | No | Yes — all ages are welcome |
| Expectant mothers | No — choose the covered boat | Yes |
| Standard-width wheelchair users | Use the covered boat | Yes — call so the team can plan boarding |
Boat Options for Your Group
We have tours for every group size!
Swamp Tour Departure Times
Tours depart at 8 am, 9:45 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. The 6 pm departure is subject to daylight. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes early for check-in.
All boat types run the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes route. Call 504-618-1692 to match your group to the right boat and departure.
8:00 AM
9:45 AM
12:00 PM
2:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:00 PM(when daylight allows)
Book the Right Boat for Everyone
Two Clear Airboat Minimums
Every airboat rider must be age 5 or older and at least 48 inches tall.
A Covered Alternative
All ages are welcome on the quieter, smoother, fully shaded covered pontoon.
Help for Mixed Groups
Call 504-618-1692 or request a call so the booking team can check the right arrangement.
Request A Call To Book Now
Fill out the form below, and a representative will call you within seconds to help answer any questions and book your tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our Louisiana airboat tours.
No. Both requirements apply: every airboat rider must be at least 5 years old and at least 48 inches tall. A child who meets only the age minimum can take the covered pontoon with your group.
Yes, toddlers can take the covered pontoon. Airboats are only for riders who are at least 5 years old and 48 inches tall.
Choose the covered swamp boat for a smooth experience. Expectant mothers should not book the airboat.
A standard-width wheelchair can board the covered tour boat. Call 504-618-1692 so the booking team can plan boarding and answer questions about your specific needs.
All boats follow the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou route. The ride feel differs, but the destination and swamp route do not. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
Yes. Airboats are loud, and ear protection is provided. Families who prefer a quiet ride can choose the covered pontoon even when their children meet both airboat requirements.
Call 504-618-1692 or request a call. The booking team will check seats for guests who qualify and guests who need the covered boat. Split boarding is not guaranteed until the team confirms the available arrangement.
Compare Your Tour Options
Airboat vs Covered PontoonCompare ride feel, shade, noise, seating, and accessibility side by side.Read more →French Quarter Hotel PickupLearn how optional paid pickup works.Read more →Family Swamp Tour GuideChoose a boat for children, mixed ages, and family comfort.Read more →Small Airboat ToursPlan a small-group airboat ride when every rider meets both rules.Read more →