Option 1
Small Airboat
- Capacity
- 6-10 passengers
- Ride
- Fast, loud, and open air
- Best fit
- Small groups, couples, and photographers
- Eligibility
- Age 5+ and at least 48 inches tall
- Accessibility
- Does not board wheelchairs
- Route
- Same 1 hour 45 minute route
Bayou tour New Orleans: airboat and covered boat options
Three boat choices on the same bayou route
A Bayou Swamp Tours bayou tour is about 1 hour 45 minutes on the water at partner docks roughly 30 minutes from the French Quarter. Choose a small airboat, large airboat, or covered pontoon. Call 504-826-3819 or use the form to book.
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Is a Bayou Tour the Same as a Swamp Tour?
People search both bayou tour and swamp tour for the same kind of New Orleans boat trip. Here, a bayou tour means a guided airboat or covered pontoon experience on the bayou. Every boat choice follows the same route for about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Small airboat: 6-10 passengers for a fast, loud, open-air ride with a smaller group. Ear protection is provided. Riders must be age 5 or older and at least 48 inches tall.
Large airboat: About 15-27 passengers with the same fast, loud, open-air ride and the same age and height requirements.
Covered pontoon: A shaded, quieter choice for all ages. Expectant mothers are welcome, and this is the only option that boards a standard-width wheelchair.
Getting to Your Partner Dock
The partner docks in the Jean Lafitte area are about 30 minutes from the French Quarter. Because we work with multiple docks, we email the exact address after your reservation is confirmed so you do not drive to the wrong place.
Driving yourself: Park at the assigned dock, then expect about a 1-2 minute walk to check-in.
Hotel pickup: Pickup is available from covered French Quarter, New Orleans city-center, and Eastern Garden District hotel zones for an additional fee. Call 504-618-1692 to add it.
Facilities: Bathrooms are available at the docks, not on the airboats.
Plan Your Tour Day
Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure for check-in. Tours leave at 8 AM, 9:45 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, and 6 PM. The 6 PM departure is subject to daylight.
Wildlife activity changes with the weather, season, and conditions. Your captain will guide the route, but sightings, including alligator sightings, cannot be guaranteed.
Booking, Payment, and Confirmation
Call 504-618-1692 or request a call to choose a boat and departure. Payment is made by card on the phone, not at the dock. After your seats are confirmed, you receive a confirmation email and text with your assigned dock details.
Bayou Swamp Tours is a booking office that partners with hand-picked tour operators and Coast Guard certified captains. We do not claim to own every boat or partner dock.
A quick decision guide
Choose Your New Orleans Bayou Tour Boat
All three boats follow the same bayou route for about 1 hour 45 minutes. Choose based on your group, ride preference, and boarding needs.
1Start with the ride feel, then check who can board.
Option 2
Large Airboat
- Capacity
- About 15-27 passengers
- Ride
- Fast, loud, and open air
- Best fit
- Bigger groups that want an airboat ride
- Eligibility
- Age 5+ and at least 48 inches tall
- Accessibility
- Does not board wheelchairs
- Route
- Same 1 hour 45 minute route
Option 3
Covered Pontoon
- Capacity
- Larger groups
- Ride
- Quieter, shaded, and smooth
- Best fit
- Families, all ages, and guests who prefer shade
- Eligibility
- All ages; expectant mothers welcome
- Accessibility
- Boards a standard-width wheelchair
- Route
- Same 1 hour 45 minute route
All three choices follow the same route. Scan each option for the details that matter to your group.
| Small Airboat | Large Airboat | Covered Pontoon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6-10 passengers | About 15-27 passengers | Larger groups |
| Ride | Fast, loud, and open air | Fast, loud, and open air | Quieter, shaded, and smooth |
| Best fit | Small groups, couples, and photographers | Bigger groups that want an airboat ride | Families, all ages, and guests who prefer shade |
| Eligibility | Age 5+ and at least 48 inches tall | Age 5+ and at least 48 inches tall | All ages; expectant mothers welcome |
| Accessibility | Does not board wheelchairs | Does not board wheelchairs | Boards a standard-width wheelchair |
| Route | Same 1 hour 45 minute route | Same 1 hour 45 minute route | Same 1 hour 45 minute route |
New Orleans Bayou Tour Times
Tours depart at 8 AM, 9:45 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, and 6 PM. The 6 PM tour runs when daylight allows. Arrive 15-30 minutes early for check-in.
Every boat follows the same route for about 1 hour 45 minutes. Call 504-618-1692 to check availability and book.
8:00 AM
9:45 AM
12:00 PM
2:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:00 PM(when daylight allows)
Book Your Bayou Tour
Match Your Group
Choose a small airboat, large airboat, or covered pontoon based on group size, age, accessibility, shade, and ride style.
Plan the Details
We help arrange your departure, partner dock, optional additional-fee hotel pickup, and confirmation details by phone.
Trusted Operators
Our booking office partners with hand-picked tour operators and Coast Guard certified captains for the boat experience.
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.
Searchers use both phrases. With us, you book the same guided boat experience on the bayou: an airboat or covered pontoon tour lasting about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Choose a small airboat for 6-10 passengers and a smaller-group open-air ride, a large airboat for a bigger group, or a covered pontoon for shade, a quieter ride, all ages, expectant mothers, and standard-width wheelchair boarding. All three follow the same route.
The partner docks are about 30 minutes from the French Quarter. We email your exact assigned dock address after your reservation is confirmed.
Wildlife sightings vary with weather, season, and conditions, so alligator sightings cannot be guaranteed. Your captain will provide the best tour possible for the conditions that day.
Yes. Pickup is available from covered French Quarter, New Orleans city-center, and Eastern Garden District hotel zones for an additional fee. Call 504-618-1692 to add it.
Pay by card on the phone when you book, not at the dock. You will receive a confirmation email and text after your seats are confirmed.
Plan Your New Orleans Bayou Tour
Compare Airboats and Covered PontoonsCompare speed, noise, shade, age rules, and accessibility.Read more →Explore New Orleans Airboat ToursLearn what to expect from the small and large airboat rides.Read more →Review Transportation OptionsPlan hotel pickup or your drive from the French Quarter.Read more →See the Full Tour TimelinePlan travel, check-in, and time on the water.Read more →Choose a Departure TimeCompare the daily departure windows without ruling out any slot.Read more →Check Airboat RequirementsReview age, height, and covered boat alternatives.Read more →Know What to WearPrepare for an open-air or covered boat ride.Read more →Plan a Group TourReview options for larger and private groups.Read more →Plan an Alligator TourLearn how season and conditions affect wildlife activity.Read more →How to Book and ConfirmReview booking, payment, confirmation, and form options.Read more →