6 to 10 passengers
Small Airboat
Choose this for couples, photographers, and small parties when every rider is at least 5 years old and at least 48 inches tall.
Best swamp tour New Orleans? How to choose airboat vs covered boat
The Short Answer
The best New Orleans swamp tour depends on your group, not a fake ranking. All boats run about the same 1 hour 45 minute bayou route. Pick a small airboat for 6 to 10 people and an intimate open air ride, a large airboat for bigger groups who want speed, or a covered pontoon for shade, quiet, children under the airboat rules, and expectant mothers.
Get Help Choosing Your Swamp Tour
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Choose This Tour If
Match the boat to the people in your group. If you are not sure, call 504-618-1692 and the booking team will match you in one conversation.
About 15 to 27 passengers
Large Airboat
Choose this for a bigger eligible group that still wants a fast, loud, open air ride.
All ages
Covered Pontoon
Choose this for toddlers, shade, a quieter ride, expectant mothers, or standard width wheelchair boarding.
One conversation
Not Sure Yet?
Call 504-618-1692 or request a call. Tell the booking team who is in your group and what kind of ride you want.
Which New Orleans Swamp Tour Is Best for You?
All three choices follow the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou route. Choose by ride feel, passenger count, shade, noise, and who can board. No boat guarantees different wildlife.
If you already know you want an airboat, use our best airboat tours in New Orleans guide for the detailed small versus large airboat comparison.
Small airboat: 6 to 10 passengers, fast, loud, open air, and personal. Every rider must be at least 5 years old and at least 48 inches tall. Ear protection is provided.
Large airboat: 15 to 27 passengers with the same fast, loud, open air ride and the same age and height rules. It fits eligible groups and first time visitors who want more seating.
Covered pontoon: A slower, smoother, quiet ride under a full awning. All ages can board, expectant mothers are welcome, and a standard width wheelchair can board.
Choose the Small Airboat for a Personal, Fast Ride
The small airboat carries 6 to 10 passengers. It gives couples, photographers, and small families fewer people on the boat and open views of the bayou.
It is loud while moving, and ear protection is provided. Every rider must be at least 5 years old and at least 48 inches tall.
Choose the Large Airboat for Speed and More Seating
The large airboat carries 15 to 27 passengers. It has the same fast, open air feel as the small boat, with room for a larger eligible group.
The same minimum age of 5 and minimum height of 48 inches apply. For an airboat only comparison, visit the best airboat tours in New Orleans guide.
Choose the Covered Pontoon for Comfort and Inclusive Boarding
The covered pontoon moves at a slower, smoother pace and has a full awning. Its quiet ride works well for toddlers, expectant mothers, hot afternoons, and guests who want easier conversation.
All ages can board, and a standard width wheelchair can board the covered tour boat. Call 504-618-1692 or request a call before booking if you have a specific boarding question.
Is a New Orleans Swamp Tour Worth It?
A swamp tour is worth considering when you want approximately 1 hour 45 minutes on the bayou with a captain explaining the landscape, history, and wildlife as it appears. Wildlife is wild, so sightings are never guaranteed.
The three boat types use the same bayou route. Paying for a different boat changes the ride feel, passenger count, shade, noise, and boarding options, not the promise of a different swamp or specific animals.
Transportation, Timing, and Arrival
Partner docks are about 30 minutes from the French Quarter. The dock address is emailed after your reservation is confirmed. Self drive guests park at the dock, walk 1 to 2 minutes to boarding, and can use bathrooms at the docks. Airboats do not have bathrooms.
Hotel pickup from the French Quarter, New Orleans City Center, and Eastern Garden District is available for an additional fee. Call 504-618-1692 to add pickup.
All six departures are good choices. Departures are 8 am, 9:45 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. The 6:00 pm departure runs when daylight allows. Choose for your itinerary and comfort, and arrive 15 to 30 minutes early for check in.
How Booking and Payment Work
Call 504-618-1692 and pay by card on the phone. Payment is not taken at the dock.
Once seats are reserved, the booking team sends confirmation by email and text, along with a formal transaction receipt from the payment provider.
The booking office partners with Coast Guard certified captains and operators at multiple docks. Bayou Swamp Tours does not claim to own every boat.
A quick decision guide
Compare Small Airboat, Large Airboat, and Covered Pontoon Tours
Start with the experience your group wants, then confirm that everyone can board.
1Start with the ride feel, then check who can board.
Option 1
Small Airboat
- Ride feel
- Fast and most personal
- Group size
- 6 to 10 passengers
- Noise
- Loud, ear protection provided
- Shade
- Open air
- Boarding rules
- Minimum age 5 and minimum height 48 inches
- Accessibility
- Not the wheelchair boarding option
- Best fit
- Couples, photographers, and small eligible families
Option 2
Large Airboat
- Ride feel
- Fast with more seating
- Group size
- 15 to 27 passengers
- Noise
- Loud, ear protection provided
- Shade
- Open air
- Boarding rules
- Minimum age 5 and minimum height 48 inches
- Accessibility
- Not the wheelchair boarding option
- Best fit
- Eligible groups and first time visitors
Option 3
Covered Pontoon
- Ride feel
- Slow, smooth, and scenic
- Group size
- Larger groups
- Noise
- Quiet
- Shade
- Full awning
- Boarding rules
- All ages can board
- Accessibility
- Standard width wheelchair can board
- Best fit
- Toddlers, expectant mothers, shade, and accessibility needs
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 most personal | 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 |
| Boarding rules | Minimum age 5 and minimum height 48 inches | Minimum age 5 and minimum height 48 inches | All ages can board |
| Accessibility | Not the wheelchair boarding option | Not the wheelchair boarding option | Standard width wheelchair can board |
| Best fit | Couples, photographers, and small eligible families | Eligible groups and first time visitors | Toddlers, expectant mothers, shade, and accessibility needs |
Swamp Tour Departure Times
All six departures are good choices. Tours depart at 8 am, 9:45 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. The 6:00 pm departure runs when daylight allows.
Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before departure for check in. Each boat follows the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes route.
8:00 AM
9:45 AM
12:00 PM
2:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:00 PM(when daylight allows)
Choose the Boat That Fits Your Group
Same Bayou Route
Every option follows the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes route, without a wildlife guarantee.
Clear Boarding Rules
Airboats require age 5 and height 48 inches. The covered pontoon welcomes all ages and can board a standard width wheelchair.
Help Before You Book
Call 504-618-1692 or request a call for help with boat choice, pickup, or boarding.
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.
Best depends on your group. Match a small airboat, large airboat, or covered pontoon to ages, noise comfort, and group size. All boats follow the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes route. Call 504-618-1692 for a recommendation.
They offer a different feel on the same route. Airboats are faster, louder, and open air. The covered pontoon is quieter, smoother, and shaded. See the airboat vs covered pontoon guide for the full comparison.
Sightings are not guaranteed. Many guests still value the captain led bayou ride, scenery, and chance to see wildlife as conditions allow.
Children under 5 or under 48 inches should take the covered pontoon. Older children who meet both airboat rules can ride a small or large airboat.
The small airboat is often a good fit for a couple because it carries 6 to 10 passengers and feels more personal. Call 504-618-1692 to check availability.
This page helps you choose among all swamp boats. If you already know you want an airboat, use the best airboat tours in New Orleans guide to compare the small and large airboats.
Pay by card on the phone, not at the dock. The partner dock address is emailed after your reservation is confirmed. The docks are about 30 minutes from the French Quarter.
Plan the Rest of Your Swamp Tour
Best Airboat Tours in New OrleansAlready set on an airboat? Compare small and large airboats in detail.Read more →Airboat vs Covered PontoonSee a deeper comparison of speed, shade, noise, photos, and boarding.Read more →New Orleans Swamp Tour GuidePlan what to wear, when to go, and what to expect.Read more →French Quarter TransportationLearn where pickup is available and how to add it.Read more →Best Time for a Swamp TourChoose a season and departure time that fit your plans.Read more →Airboat Age and Height RulesConfirm the two airboat boarding minimums before booking.Read more →How Long Is a Swamp Tour?Plan the boat ride, check in, and transportation time.Read more →Private and Group Swamp ToursGet help arranging the right boat for a larger party.Read more →What to Wear on a Swamp TourPrepare for an open air airboat or a shaded covered pontoon.Read more →Alligator Tours in New OrleansRead honest guidance for guests especially interested in alligators.Read more →Family Swamp Tour GuideChoose a boat for children, mixed ages, and family boarding needs.Read more →