Swamp Boat Tours in New Orleans (NOLA)
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What Is a Swamp Boat Tour?
A swamp boat tour is a guided, 1-hour-45-minute cruise through the Louisiana bayous on either an airboat (6-10 or 15-27 passengers) or a covered pontoon boat. Bayou Swamp Tours departs six times daily — 8 am to 6 pm — about 30 minutes from downtown New Orleans, with round-trip French Quarter hotel pickup available.
The Ride: Feel the adrenaline rush on our airboats, where thrills await at every turn, or enjoy a serene journey on our pontoon, offering a scenic and tranquil cruise.
The History: Learn about the bayous and the New Orleans swamplands.
The Wildlife: Interact with all the living creatures including gators, raccoons, wild hogs, birds, and much more!
The History of Airboat Swamp Tours
1905 origins: The first airboat, the 'Ugly Duckling,' was built in 1905 by a team that included Alexander Graham Bell — essentially an aircraft engine and propeller mounted on a flat-bottomed hull.
Built for the marsh: With no rudder, propeller, or moving parts below the waterline, an airboat skims water just inches deep — which is why Gulf Coast trappers, fishermen, and wildlife agencies adopted it for marsh work.
From workboat to tour boat: By the mid-1900s, Louisiana and Florida guides began using airboats to bring visitors into backwaters ordinary boats couldn't reach — the start of swamp touring as we know it.
Covered boats came first: Traditional covered tour boats descend from the bayou workboats that moved people and goods through Louisiana's wetlands long before airboats — today's covered pontoons keep that slow, shaded style.
Today: Both boat types run the same bayou routes: airboats for speed and shallow backwater access, covered pontoons for a quiet, all-ages ride.
Swamp Boat Facts Before You Ride
Wild alligators live in Louisiana — more than any other state — so boat tours here see gators regularly in warm months.
Source: Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & FisheriesIs the typical length of an adult male American alligator; females usually stay under 10 feet.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceOf birds use Louisiana's wetlands along the Mississippi Flyway — herons, egrets, ibis, and bald eagles among them.
Source: AudubonWhich Swamp Boat Should You Choose?
All three boats run the same 1-hour-45-minute route through the bayous. The right choice depends on your group:
| Small Airboat | Large Airboat | Covered Pontoon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6-10 passengers | 15-27 passengers | Larger groups |
| Ride feel | Fast and nimble — the most intimate ride | Fast with more seating | Slow, smooth, scenic |
| Noise | Loud — ear protection provided | Loud — ear protection provided | Quiet |
| Shade | Open air | Open air | Full awning cover |
| Age rules | 5+ years and 48+ inches | 5+ years and 48+ inches | All ages, expectant mothers welcome |
| Accessibility | — | — | Boards standard-width wheelchairs |
Our Boat Swamp Tour Options in Louisiana, New Orleans
We have tours for every group size!
Departure and Wild Adventure in 3 Steps
Pick Up
We offer pick up to most of the hotels in the French Quarter area.
Alligator Adventure
Explore thousands of acres in our unique Louisiana ecosystem featuring backwater wildlife such as alligators, over 200 species of birds, wild pigs, raccoons and so much more!
Learn About the Swamp
Embark on an enriching journey guided by the expertise of our top-rated local guides. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the swamp as you learn from those who call it home.
See Swamp Boat Tour Times
Boats depart the dock six times daily: 8 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. (assuming there is enough daylight for the 6 p.m. tour). To ensure you have enough time to check in, it is crucial that you arrive at least 15 to 30 minutes in advance.
Each tour lasts an exciting one hour and forty-five minutes. Give us a call if you'd like to go on a New Orleans-style swamp tour — weekends and holidays book up fast!
Why Book With Bayou Swamp Tours?
Experience
Our passionate and experienced Cajun Captains combine the excitement of a New Orleans airboat swamp tour with the fascination of a backwater nature tour — an experience guests rate 4.8 stars on Google.
Confidence
Book with confidence! As a well-established, family-owned company with a longstanding reputation, we take pride in providing exceptional service and memorable experiences.
Availability
With six departures daily from 8 am to 6 pm and three boat types — small airboat, large airboat, and covered pontoon — it's easy to find a swamp boat tour that fits your group and your schedule.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our Louisiana airboat tours.