Option 1
Best fit
- Toddlers or kids under 5
- Covered pontoon
- Age 5+ but under 48"
- Covered pontoon
- Kids 5+ and 48"+ who want speed
- Small or large airboat
- Mixed ages in one party
- Call 504-618-1692
- Expectant mother in the party
- Covered pontoon
Family-friendly swamp tour New Orleans for kids, toddlers, and parents
Yes, Families Are Welcome
The covered pontoon welcomes all ages, including toddlers, shorter children, and expectant mothers. It is quieter and shaded. Airboat riders must be age 5 or older and at least 48 inches tall, with both requirements applying. Every boat follows the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou route. Call 504-618-1692 to book the right boat for your group.
Book the Right Boat for Your Family
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Choose by Age, Height, and Ride Feel
A family swamp tour in New Orleans can work for mixed ages when you choose the boat that fits every guest. The covered pontoon is the all-ages choice. Qualifying children and adults can choose an airboat when they want a faster, open-air ride.
Airboat rule: Every rider must be at least 5 years old and at least 48 inches tall. Both rules apply.
Covered pontoon: All ages are welcome, including toddlers, shorter children, and expectant mothers.
Need help choosing? Call 504-618-1692 and share the ages, heights, and boarding needs in your party.
The Airboat Rule in One Breath
Every airboat rider must be at least 5 years old and at least 48 inches tall. Both requirements apply. A child who meets only one requirement takes the covered pontoon.
See the full age and height guide before booking if anyone in your family is close to either minimum.
Small airboat: 6 to 10 passengers, fast, loud, and open-air. Ear protection is provided.
Large airboat: About 15 to 27 passengers, with the same fast, loud, open-air ride and the same rider rules.
Why the Covered Pontoon Works for Families
The covered pontoon welcomes guests of all ages. It is the family option for toddlers, children who do not meet both airboat minimums, and expectant mothers.
Ride feel: Quieter and smoother than an airboat.
Shade: A full awning provides cover during the ride.
Wheelchair boarding: A standard-width wheelchair can board. Call with specific boarding questions so the team can plan.
Same tour: It follows the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes bayou route as the airboats.
Same Tour, Different Ride Feel
Small airboats, large airboats, and covered pontoons all follow the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes route. Choose based on age, height, comfort, shade, noise, capacity, and boarding needs, not a different swamp.
The booking office partners with hand-picked tour operators and Coast Guard-certified captains. Wildlife sightings vary with conditions, weather, and season, and no animal sighting is guaranteed.
Plan the Day Around Your Family
All six daily departures are good choices for families. Pick around naps, meals, and the rest of your New Orleans itinerary. An early departure can leave the afternoon open, a midday tour can follow a relaxed hotel morning, and an afternoon tour can fit after lunch.
Check in: Arrive at the dock 15 to 30 minutes before departure.
Travel time: The partner docks are about 30 minutes from the French Quarter.
Clothing: Wear comfortable clothes and review the what-to-wear guide for practical planning.
Hotel pickup: Pickup from the French Quarter, New Orleans City Center, and Eastern Garden District is available as an add-on fee. Call to add it.
Payment: Payment is handled by card over the phone when booking, not at the dock.
How to Book a Family Swamp Tour
Call 504-618-1692 or use the request-a-call form. For a party that may need more than one boat type, the booking team will check the available arrangement. Split boarding is not guaranteed until it is confirmed on the call.
1. Share each child's age and height.
2. Mention any expectant mothers or standard-width wheelchair boarding needs.
3. Choose an airboat, covered pontoon, or a confirmed arrangement that fits the party.
4. Add optional hotel pickup if needed.
5. Receive confirmation and arrive 15 to 30 minutes early on tour day.
A quick decision guide
Quick Family Swamp Tour Chooser
Use this mobile-friendly guide to find the likely fit, then call when your party needs more than one boat type.
1Start with the ride feel, then check who can board.
Option 2
Why
- Toddlers or kids under 5
- Airboats require age 5 or older
- Age 5+ but under 48"
- The airboat height rule still applies
- Kids 5+ and 48"+ who want speed
- Fast, loud, and open-air; ear protection is provided
- Mixed ages in one party
- The booking team can check seats for everyone who qualifies
- Expectant mother in the party
- A smooth, shaded ride rather than an airboat
All three choices follow the same route. Scan each option for the details that matter to your group.
| Your group | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers or kids under 5 | Covered pontoon | Airboats require age 5 or older |
| Age 5+ but under 48" | Covered pontoon | The airboat height rule still applies |
| Kids 5+ and 48"+ who want speed | Small or large airboat | Fast, loud, and open-air; ear protection is provided |
| Mixed ages in one party | Call 504-618-1692 | The booking team can check seats for everyone who qualifies |
| Expectant mother in the party | Covered pontoon | A smooth, shaded ride rather than an airboat |
Family Swamp Tour Boat Options
We have tours for every group size!
Six Family-Friendly Departure Times
Tours depart at 8 am, 9:45 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. All six departures are good to book, so choose the time that fits naps, meals, and your itinerary. The 6 pm departure is subject to daylight.
Every boat follows the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes route. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes early for check-in.
8:00 AM
9:45 AM
12:00 PM
2:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:00 PM(when daylight allows)
Ready to Book a Family Swamp Tour?
Clear Family Options
The covered pontoon welcomes all ages, while qualifying guests can choose an airboat.
One Bayou Route
Every boat follows the same approximately 1 hour 45 minutes route with a different ride feel.
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.
Yes. Life jackets are provided on the boats for kids and adults, so guests do not need to bring their own. Call 504-618-1692 or use the request-a-call form with specific sizing or child questions.
Yes, toddlers can take the covered pontoon. Airboats require every rider to be at least 5 years old and at least 48 inches tall.
They take the covered pontoon. Both the age and height minimums are required for airboats.
Yes. Families book daily. Boat choice depends on ages, heights, boarding needs, and preferred ride feel, not whether children are allowed overall.
Yes. Expectant mothers take the covered pontoon for a smooth, shaded ride rather than an airboat.
All six departures at 8 am, 9:45 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm are good to book. Pick the time that fits naps, meals, and your New Orleans plans. The 6 pm departure is subject to daylight.
The tour is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes on the water on every boat type.
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 available arrangement is confirmed.
Yes. Pickup from the French Quarter, New Orleans City Center, and Eastern Garden District is available as an add-on fee. Call 504-618-1692 to add pickup.
Family Swamp Tour Planning Guides
Airboat Age and Height RulesCheck both airboat rider minimums.Read more →Airboat vs Covered PontoonCompare ride feel, shade, noise, capacity, and boarding.Read more →Best Time for a Swamp TourChoose a departure around your New Orleans plans.Read more →Swamp Tour DurationPlan around the approximately 1 hour 45 minute route.Read more →French Quarter TransportationLearn about travel time and optional hotel pickup.Read more →What to WearPrepare comfortable clothes for the tour.Read more →What to ExpectRead the full wildlife and tour expectations guide.Read more →Wheelchair Accessible Covered BoatReview covered pontoon boarding guidance and how to plan ahead.Read more →