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Choose an airboat if you want a fast, open-air ride and everyone in your group is at least 5 years old and 48 inches tall. Choose the covered pontoon if you want a slower, smoother, quieter ride with full shade, or if your group includes toddlers, an expectant mother, or someone boarding in a standard-width wheelchair.
All three choices follow the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou route. You are choosing the feel of the ride, the group size, the noise level, the amount of shade, and who can board. You are not choosing a different swamp, and no boat guarantees different wildlife.
Small airboat: 6 to 10 passengers, fast, intimate, loud, and open-air. Ear protection is provided. It is a strong fit for photographers, couples, and small families who meet the airboat rules.
Large airboat: 15 to 27 passengers, fast, loud, and open-air, with more seating. Ear protection is provided. It works well for groups and first-time guests.
Covered pontoon: A larger-group ride that is slow, smooth, scenic, quiet, and shaded by a full awning. It is the best fit for toddlers, hot afternoons, and accessibility needs.
The small airboat carries 6 to 10 passengers. It feels quick and personal, with an open view of the bayou and fewer people sharing the boat. The engine is loud while the boat is moving, so ear protection is provided.
This is a good choice for couples, photographers, and small families who want the airboat experience. Every rider must be at least 5 years old and at least 48 inches tall.
Choose it if: everyone meets the age and height rules and your group wants a fast, open-air ride with the smallest passenger count.
Photo fit: the open-air setup and smaller group can make it easier to find a clear view, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Consider another boat if: anyone is sensitive to loud noise, needs full shade, is under the airboat minimums, is expecting, or needs wheelchair boarding.
The large airboat carries 15 to 27 passengers. It gives you the same fast, open-air style as the small airboat, with room for a bigger group. It is loud while moving, and ear protection is provided.
This option is a practical fit for groups and first-time guests who want an airboat ride together. The same rules apply to every rider: minimum age 5 and minimum height 48 inches.
Choose it if: your party wants an airboat and needs more seating than the small boat offers.
First-time fit: it delivers the classic fast airboat feel without splitting a larger eligible group.
Keep in mind: it is still open-air and loud, with no full awning.
The covered pontoon is a larger-group boat with a slow, smooth, scenic ride. A full awning provides shade, and the quieter pace makes conversation easier. All ages can board, including toddlers, and expectant mothers are welcome.
A standard-width wheelchair can board the covered tour boat. If you have a specific boarding question, call 504-618-1692 or use the request-a-call form so the booking team can confirm the right arrangement before you reserve.
Choose it if: your group values shade, a quiet ride, a smooth pace, or inclusive boarding more than airboat speed.
Best for: toddlers, hot afternoons, expectant mothers, larger groups, and guests using a standard-width wheelchair.
Same swamp: the covered pontoon follows the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou route as the airboats.
Departures are 8 am, 9:45 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm, subject to daylight. The tour location is about 30 minutes from downtown New Orleans.
Hotel pickup from the French Quarter, New Orleans City Center, and Eastern Garden District is available for an extra fee. Call 504-618-1692 to add pickup. If you are still unsure which boat fits your group, call or submit the request-a-call form below rather than guessing about a boarding need.
Operator note: The booking office collaborates with hand-picked tour operators and Coast Guard-certified captains. It does not claim to own every boat.
Same duration: small airboat, large airboat, and covered pontoon tours all run approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
A quick decision guide
Every boat takes the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou route. Use these differences to choose the ride that fits your group.
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
All three choices follow the same route. Scan each option for the details that matter to your group.
| What matters | Small Airboat | Large Airboat | Covered Pontoon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ride feel | Fast and intimate | Fast, with more seating | Slow, smooth, and scenic |
| Group size | 6 to 10 passengers | 15 to 27 passengers | Larger groups |
| Noise | Loud, ear protection provided | Loud, ear protection provided | Quiet |
| Shade | Open-air | Open-air | Full awning |
| Photo conditions | Open views in a smaller group | Open views with more guests | Shaded, steady sightseeing |
| Kids and toddlers | Minimum age 5 and minimum height 48 inches | Minimum age 5 and minimum height 48 inches | All ages can board |
| Expectant mothers | Choose the covered pontoon | Choose the covered pontoon | Welcome |
| Wheelchair boarding | Not the accessible option | Not the accessible option | A standard-width wheelchair can board |
| Best fit | Photographers, couples, and small families | Groups and first-time guests | Toddlers, hot afternoons, and accessibility needs |
We have tours for every group size!
Boats depart at 8 am, 9:45 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm, subject to daylight. Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes early for check-in.
Every boat runs the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou route. Call 504-618-1692 if you need help matching a departure and boat type to your group.
Every boat follows the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes route, so choose by ride feel and who can board.
Pick a small airboat for intimacy, a large airboat for more seating, or a covered pontoon for quiet, shade, and inclusive boarding.
Call 504-618-1692 or request a call if you have questions about age, height, pickup, or accessibility before booking.
Fill out the form below, and a representative will call you within seconds to help answer any questions and book your tour.
Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our Louisiana airboat tours.