The 10 Best Swamp Tours in New Orleans

Read on to discover the best New Orleans swamp tours across a variety of categories. Based on recent traveler reviews, all of the recommended tours include transportation.

Note: many of these excursions are at least a 30-minute drive outside of the city. And if alligators are your top reason for trekking to the swamp, plan for a spring or summer tour, as alligators enter a state of brumation (a modified period of hibernation) during the cold weather months.

Price: From $75
Duration: 2 hours

Novice kayakers will appreciate this two-hour paddle in Manchac Swamp as it is especially suitable for beginners. During the tour, you’ll wind your way through the swamp’s calm waters and take a gander at the local wildlife.

For an even more memorable experience, the company suggests taking the early morning or evening tour to see the swamp bathed in warm light. Summer and early fall tours will give you the best chance for seeing alligators and turtles. Reviewers say you’ll gain lots of insight not only about the area’s ecology but also about local history.

Tours depart daily from the French Quarter at 9 and 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., though tour times can vary by season. Tickets start at $75 per person; fees are slightly higher on the weekends. The company also runs tours of the Honey Island swamp and a half-day kayak tour through the Shell Bank bayou.

Price: Adults from $60; kids from $39
Duration: 2 hours

Lasting approximately two hours, Cajun Encounters’ daily tour of the Honey Island Swamp takes place on a flat-bottomed boat. Each ride includes commentary from a friendly guide as you look for alligators, wild boar, owls and more. Tourists say the guides are informative and fun and highly recommend the tour, but caution there are many bugs.

Tickets start at about $60 for adults and $39 for children ages 4 to 11. Tours run several times daily. Cajun Encounters also runs VIP tours (which have up to 10 to 12 passengers) as well as tours of the city.

Price: From $119
Duration: 2 hours

With this tour operator, you can expect interesting guides and multiple glimpses of alligators as you weave through 20,000-plus acres of cypress swamps. After your roughly two-hour airboat ride, take some time to explore the company’s indoor facility, which houses Sugar, an albino gator. While tours are available in both small (10 people) and large (30 people) boats, recent tourgoers recommend opting for a small boat tour, as the small airboats can access more remote corners of the swamp. All airboat tours run multiple times daily.

Tickets for the small airboat start at $119 per person. Pregnant women, children younger than 5 and people with back and neck injuries are not permitted to ride on the airboats. Pets, including service animals, are prohibited due to the loud noise from the boat. The company provides ear protection, but you may want to bring your own if you are extra sensitive.

Price: Adults from $58; kids from $36
Duration: 2 hours

Participants say that Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tours are perfect for groups of all ages, making sure to engage everyone including kids throughout the tour. Guides, who are natives of South Louisiana, narrate the two-hour tours with facts and stories about the area. Along the way, travelers may spot alligators, deer, osprey, hogs, turtles, herons and more along with the traditional cypress trees. Tours depart twice daily.

Tickets start at $58 for adults and $36 for children 12 and younger; transportation to and from New Orleans hotels is included in the rate.

Price: Adults from $55; kids from $35
Duration: 2 hours

From the experienced, knowledgeable guides to the amiable shuttle drivers, travelers consistently praise Louisiana Tour Company’s swamp boat tour. They also appreciate that boats have seats, a roof and windows to help maximize comfort in all weather.

During the almost two-hour tour, you’ll see a Native American burial mound, a fishing village, numerous critters and beautiful swamplands. Another bonus? Transportation to and from your hotel is included.

Tickets start at $55 for adults and $35 for children 4 to 12. Children 3 and younger can enjoy the tour at no cost. Pickups from hotels start at 8 and 10:20 a.m. as well as 12:30 and 3 p.m. Note: The 3 p.m. tour is seasonal. Louisiana Tour Company also operates airboat tours of the swamp.

Price: From $114
Duration: 1.5 hours

See the swamps from above on this adrenaline-inducing tour. The 1.5-hour experience includes five different zip lines, a spiral tree staircase and two sky bridges for prime views of the swamps (and the creatures that lurk in them) below. Recent travelers highly recommend this tour, noting they felt safe throughout. Others note that it’s good for beginners.

Tickets with shuttle service start at $114 for all participants ($89 if you skip the transportation). While there is no age minimum, children must weigh at least 45 pounds to zip line; the maximum weight limit is 280 pounds. Tours are available throughout the day and start as early as 9:30 a.m. This tour is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant or suffers from back pain or serious medical conditions.