Top New Orleans On the Water

New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure with Transportation

4 hoursFree Cancellation

Explore New Orleans’ surrounding ecosystem with an escape from the city to the Louisiana swamp. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to a swamp on private land, with all logistics taken care of. Board a state-of-the-art air boat for a memorable nature experience. Your guide takes you through the swampy waterways and shares information about the plants, wildlife, and history of the area.

(1,276)

from $60

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Airboat Swamp Tour

Jean Lafitte 90-Minute Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour

(334)

from $67

Discover a different side of New Orleans—and admire a new perspective from the water's edge—on this steamboat tour down the Mississippi River. Board the historic riverboat—either the Steamboat Natchez or her sister vessel—for a morning or afternoon tour. Stroll the deck, admire the iconic paddlewheel, enjoy live music, and snap photos of the picturesque shoreline. This family‐friendly excursion offers an optional lunch (additional expense).

4.7

(877)

from $32

Special Offer

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise

2 hoursFree Cancellation

Immerse yourself in the rich culture and natural splendor of New Orleans’ mystifying swamps and wetlands on a New Orleans swamp tour and wetlands adventure. Relax in the luxurious interior of a New Orleans swamp tour boat as you cruise past cultural highlights like a Cajun cemetery, an Indian burial mound and a traditional fishing village. Scour the scenery for fascinating flora and fauna like snakes, turtles and alligators while listening to interesting commentary from your professional guide.

New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure

Experience New Orleans’ wild bayou country first-hand on an exciting, family‐friendly airboat ride. This boat tour winds through the mossy cypress swamp near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, named for the 19th-century pirate and smuggler. While onboard, enjoy lively commentary from a local guide as you admire lush, forested shoreline and spot local wildlife. Gators appear most commonly in the summer months, so keep your eyes peeled.

(2,234)

from $35

2 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

New Orleans Airboat Ride

4.7

(5,180)

from $59

New Orleans 75-Minute Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise

Cruise the Mississippi River aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS on a relaxing 75-minute sightseeing experience suitable for all ages. As you travel along the river, the captain provides engaging commentary highlighting the French Quarter, historic waterfront locations, and the role the river has played in shaping New Orleans over the centuries. Guests can enjoy multiple onboard bars, including an open-air bar on the upper deck with sweeping views of the city skyline and riverbanks. Light snacks and beverages are also available for purchase, making it easy to sit back and enjoy the ride. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or as a couple, this river cruise offers a scenic and informative way to take in New Orleans from the water.

New Orleans 75-Minute Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise

1 hour 15 minutesFree Cancellation

4.2

(142)

from $26

Captivating views of the New Orleans skyline

Enjoy an only-in-New-Orleans experience when you embark on a paddle-wheel boat tour of the mighty Mississippi River. In the evening, hop aboard the Steamboat Natchez or her sister vessel, the Riverboat City of New Orleans, and admire views of the city from the water's edge. This cost-saving package additionally includes a Creole‐inspired dinner (if option selected), plus live jazz music to set the mood.

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option

3 hoursFree Cancellation

4.1

(8,106)

from $58

Experience different sides of Louisiana and its complicated history on this plantation tour and swamp boat ride from New Orleans. On this full-day journey, visit Oak Alley Plantation or Destrehan Plantation (depending on the time chosen), where you learn about antebellum life. Next, head into the marshy swampland for a boat ride and some wildlife spotting. Enjoy guided commentary as you snap photos of alligators, raccoons, snakes, and native birds.

Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans

7 hours 45 minutesFree Cancellation

Swap the hustle and bustle of New Orleans for the natural beauty of the Louisiana bayou—and leave the crowds behind—on this small-group airboat tour through the swamps near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Explore the lush landscape from the water, look out for native wildlife including alligators and turtles, and learn about the region’s unique ecosystem. Along the way, hear stories and insights from a local guide.

(3,505)

from $131

New Orleans Premium Six-Passenger Airboat Adventure

New Orleans Premium Six-Passenger Airboat Adventure

2 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

Uncover the mysteries of the swamps surrounding New Orleans on an exhilarating airboat tour of the area, led by a professional guide. Cruise along the picturesque waterways in search of ferocious alligators and other rare wildlife while listening to illuminating commentary from your guide. Feel your adrenaline levels surge as your driver accelerates to high speeds, and capture fantastic photographs during regular stops. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation by comfortable, air-conditioned coach.

(30)

from $119

Large Airboat Swamp Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

Large Airboat Swamp Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

4 hours 15 minutesFree Cancellation

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

(2,076)

from $90

Special Offer

See the New Orleans skyline from a whole new perspective.

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Delve into the atmospheric beauty of New Orleans’ vast swamplands on an exciting 2-hour small-group tour by airboat. With a knowledgeable guide, cruise past fascinating flora and fauna, scouring the picturesque scenery for sightings of alligators and other rare creatures. Experience the exhilaration of traveling at high velocity as your driver alternates between gentle cruising and high-speed bursts. Receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to only 9 passengers.

New Orleans Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans

(780)

from $89

Special Offer

See the skyline of New Orleans from a whole new perspective.

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Put New Orleans in context without the self-drive hassles on this enriching full-day tour. First, immerse in the city’s dark history on a self-guided tour of the Whitney Plantation, with time to explore the museum independently. Next, pass by the Evergreen Plantation, where Django Unchained was filmed, and board an airboat for a high-speed swamp adventure. Your package includes small-group transfers from most New Orleans hotels.

Whitney Plantation and Airboat Tour from New Orleans

8 hoursFree Cancellation

New Orleans Self-Guided Kayak Bayou Swamp Tour

(237)

from $152

Paddle in and a long numerous bayous on this easy self guided kayak rental in Bayou Bienvenue

1 to 2 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(11)

from $40

Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour with Downtown New Orleans Pickup

4 hours 15 minutesFree Cancellation

Discover the atmospheric swamps surrounding New Orleans on a fascinating airboat tour, led by a professional guide. In a group of 16 or less, climb aboard an airboat destined for the rich flora and fauna of the swamplands. Enrich your natural knowledge as you listen to intriguing commentary from your guide; scour the scenery for sightings of alligators; and feel your adrenaline levels surge as you accelerate and reach high speeds.

(1,751)

from $115

New Orleans Large Airboat Swamp Tour

Welcome aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS! Enjoy a relaxing, family-friendly Jazz Brunch Cruise on the Mississippi River. Listen to live New Orleans jazz music followed by Captain's narration as you cruise past iconic French Quarter landmarks, historic riverfront sites, and beautiful city views that bring more than 300 years of New Orleans history to life. Indulge in a Creole-inspired brunch while sipping cocktails or other beverages from one of our full-service onboard bars, including the popular City Skyline Bar on Deck 4, featuring panoramic views of the river and downtown New Orleans. Perfect for families, couples, and groups, this New Orleans Jazz Brunch Cruise is one of the best ways to experience the city’s live music, local cuisine, and scenic river views all in one unforgettable experience. 75¢ Mimosa Special thru Sept. 30, 2026: Dining guests 21+ with valid ID can enjoy 75¢ mimosas on Saturday Brunch Cruises.

(200)

from $65

New Orleans Riverboat Jazz Brunch Cruise

New Orleans Riverboat Jazz Brunch Cruise

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(1)

from $44

Experience the charm of New Orleans on a two-hour Sunday jazz cruise along the Mississippi River. Enjoy live jazz music, stunning views from the top deck, and the option to savor a Louisiana-style buffet brunch featuring local favorites. This authentic paddle-wheel riverboat offers a perfect blend of history, ambiance, and relaxation for all ages. The legendary Steamboat NATCHEZ and her sister vessel Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will sail interchangeably, depending on bookings and private events.

Jazz Brunch Cruise in New Orleans

2 hoursFree Cancellation

4.2

(933)

from $44

Create memories that will last a lifetime on the mighty Mississippi River and experience the royal treatment about the Steamboat Natchez. Your experience begins with a complimentary Champagne cocktail and front-row access to the night’s entertainment, the Dukes of Dixieland. For dinner, indulge in a buffet dinner as you listen to live jazz performance. Take the chance to tour the historic vessel after dinner.

VIP Jazz Dinner Cruise with Private Tour and Open Bar Option

3 hoursFree Cancellation

New Orleans Guided Kayak Swamp Tour

(893)

from $191

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Freaky Tiki Bayou Boat Tour: Near New Orleans with Bathrooms

(18)

from $49

Pedal or kick your feet up and let the captain and motor do the work.

1 hour 45 minutes

Embark on a private kayak and canoe small-group tour through Louisiana's historic Manchac Swamp. A local naturalist guides you, providing explanations of historical information and the native ecosystem. Paddle through this slow-moving bayou, once home to the ghost town of Ruddock, and a passage for historic New Orleans explorers. Discover the swamp's rich history and diverse wildlife, creating an immersive and educational outdoor experience.

(115)

from $50

Small-Group Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour with Local Guide

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

Jean Lafitte 90-Minute Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour

(503)

from $93

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What are people saying about New Orleans

Jamaal_L, Jul 2026

Swamp Tour within Rain 2026

Hello, wildlife and alligator enthusiasts! I finally experienced a swamp and bayou tour. Despite the rain and the dense coverage of the national park, the pontoon boat was fantastic. The captain was highly knowledgeable about the canal waterways, and his local accent was charming and authentic. Within the park, we were limited in what we could do, but he explained the reasons why, and I’m looking forward to holding a wildlife animal in a different tour not a national park visits. During the tour, we saw a variety of wildlife, including alligators 4-6 ft long small , owls perched silently in trees, cranes wading through shallow waters, a bald eagle nesting high on a branch, and water turkeys (also known as anhingas) swimming gracefully. Snacks and beverages were available on board, but we had eaten beforehand. Overall, I found the experience very relaxing and enjoyable. I definitely plan to do it again. Thanks to everyone involved!🫶🐊

New Orleans Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour

Deborah_C, Jun 2026

Up close with alligators on a thrilling ride.

Ian, our airboat guide, made the trip both memorable and informative. He made several stops along the way to share interesting facts about the swamp and its ecosystem. The most exciting part of the tour was watching him interact with the alligators. He was able to get remarkably close to them, even touching some of them, and demonstrated how they are fed marshmallows. It was a unique experience that made the tour both entertaining and educational.

Small-Group Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour with Local Guide

Colleen_M, May 2026

Magical

Kayaking on Manchac is magical. The calm of the water, the quiet of the surroundings, watching wildlife in its element was a treasure. We had a smaller alligator within about 2-3 feet from our canoes, completely unfazed by our presence. Our guide, AJ, was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive throughout our tour. It was nice to step away from the bustle of the city and surround ourselves in the wetlands.

Small Airboat and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans

Holly_B, May 2026

An all-around great day!

Wonderful day spent exploring Oak Alley.. and tons of fun on the swamp. Oak Alley is a bit heavy historically.. but important. They make amazing mint juleps, too. Winding down in the swamp afterwards was perfect. Seeing all those alligators in a unique ecosystem was so interesting.

Small-Group Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour

Lucky_B, Apr 2026

Must try while in NOLA

This a unique way to experience NOLA. It’s off the beaten path away from the city full of tourists. You get to be in the “wild” and nature just outside the city. If you want to getaway from the bustle of the city and be in the calm of the water and cypress trees, this is for you! Josh was our tour guide. He did a great job and we really enjoyed our time! He was chill and friendly!

New Orleans Premium Six-Passenger Airboat Adventure

kim_p, Apr 2026

Gator time!

Ronnie was our tour guide and he was fantastic. He took us to a different area where we had a chance to see larger alligators. We had the opportunity to feed them marshmallows and take great pictures. Ronnie was funny and interacted with the entire group. I felt safe the whole time and definitely would recommend this tour.

New Orleans Large Airboat Swamp Tour

Lisa_P, Dec 2025

Worth the money--fav experience in NOLA so far

We weren't sure what to expect. We booked the large boat because it was cheaper. I wish I could remember the name of our guide. He was good. We saw tons of gators. We even saw a mama with about 12 babies. Our Screenagers complain about everything, and even they thought it was a good tour.

New Orleans City, Cemetery and Swamp Full-Day Tour

Dan_S, Dec 2025

City Cemetery and Swamp Tour

Excellent tour. We went on this tour December 3rd. Our bus driver was amazing. He was warm and friendly and knew everything about the City. The tour goes all over the City so you see a lot and get to know the lay of the land. This was great for our first time in NOLA. It was a little too cold for the swamp tour, but again we had a great guide which made it fun. We also saw one alligator swimming around, which was special since they are should hibernating now. I loved the tour but would recommend the swamp portion in warmer weather.