Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans
Recommended by 95% of travelers
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New Orleans, USA
- 7 hours 45 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Experience two different sides of New Orleans with one simple booking
- Take a short coach ride across the mighty Mississippi River
- A great experience for history buffs and nature lovers
- Convenient meeting location and transfer from the French Quarter
What's Included
- Swamp Boat Tour
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Narrated by a local guide
- Round trip transportation
- Tour of either Oak Alley or Destrehan Plantation
- Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
- Food & Drink (Available for Purchase)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Gray Line New Orleans400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Departs from the Gray Line Lighthouse at Toulouse St. and the Mississippi River (at the Steamboat Natchez Dock), just one block from Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Please arrive 15 minutes before boarding to check in.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Your tour offers a morning or afternoon start time. You’ll start by boarding your air‐conditioned coach in the French Quarter. Admire the scenery of the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline as you head first to either Oak Alley Plantation or Destrehan Plantation. Oak Alley is one of the most beautiful plantation homes in the lower Mississippi Valley. As you marvel at the unbelievable alley of 28 magnificent Oak trees, your guide will reveal the fascinating stories of the home and its history. If you choose to visit Destrehan, you'll learn the history of this famous plantation that was once a major producer of indigo and sugarcane.
After your plantation tour, return north by coach to Lake Pontchartrain and Manchac Swamp, where you’ll board an open‐sided, covered boat – good for touring during any season. This privately‐owned swamp is a great venue for uninterrupted wildlife spotting. Glide along the water, viewing the lush greenery and with abundant local wildlife, including alligators, egrets, raccoons, snakes and giant nutria. Get great photos and gain insight about local history and wetland preservation from your local guides.
This tour returns you by coach to the French Quarter.
After your plantation tour, return north by coach to Lake Pontchartrain and Manchac Swamp, where you’ll board an open‐sided, covered boat – good for touring during any season. This privately‐owned swamp is a great venue for uninterrupted wildlife spotting. Glide along the water, viewing the lush greenery and with abundant local wildlife, including alligators, egrets, raccoons, snakes and giant nutria. Get great photos and gain insight about local history and wetland preservation from your local guides.
This tour returns you by coach to the French Quarter.
1
Oak Alley Plantation
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Lake Pontchartrain (Pass By)
I-10 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge (Pass By)
2
Cajun Pride Swamp Tours
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- In order to help protect the French Quarter from vehicular traffic, it is requested that you please walk, if possible, to the convenient tour departure point -- just a short stroll from most downtown hotels.
- Alternate Routes: Due to uneven and narrow paths, alternate routes may be necessary for guests traveling in wheelchairs.
- 9am & 11am = Oak Alley Plantation
- 1pm = Destrehan Plantation
- Oak Alley Plantation is a Smoke Free Facility
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 28 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
Q:What is the departure point for the Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans?
A:The tour begins at the Gray Line "Lighthouse" Ticket Office in the French Quarter at Toulouse Street & the Mississippi River - at the Steamboat Natchez Dock (400 Toulouse Street.)
Jun 2021
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 3,421 reviews
siddant7hotmailcom, May 2026
A day trip that’s worth taking! The combination of the plantation and the swamp tour is great because they’re completely different expierences and don’t make the day feel so tiring. The plantation was beautiful though you are restrictred with the time and then during the swamp tour they made sure we saw lots of animals from up close. We just wish we had planned better in terms of bringing water and snacks because there isn’t a lot of time to sit and eat. It’s a long day because of the drive so that’s something to keep in mind.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for the great review of the Plantation/Swamp Tour. It is always good to share helpful hints with readers of your review and those taking the tour.
Amanda_K, May 2026
Oak Alley Plantation was fantastic! But the swamp tour is in a private swamp with them feeding marshmallows to raccoons and alegators. The plantation should be 5 stars, a d the swamp tour 1.
Response from Host, May 2026
We are pleased that you enjoyed the plantation. The swamp and its inhabitants are protected by those who care for that property. We can assure you that the animals are not mistreated in any way.
Sharon_C, Apr 2026
Our hosts, Jane and Otis (driver) were amazing all day!! The plantation was gorgeous and the tour was very educational!!
The swamp tour was truly the best I’ve been on, our captain was just amazing!!!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review of the tour and your hosts, Jane and Otis. The Swamp Captain will be thrilled to read this as well, he is proud of the area he calls home.
Pedro_B, Apr 2026
Great experience. Excelent tour guide, very informative. The plantation visit provided a good insight on living conditions at he time.
The swamp biatvride was a memorabke experience. Steongly recommend.
Response from Host, May 2026
Your strong recommendation is appreciated. It helps us share our region with so many visitors. Thank you.
Margie_R, Apr 2026
This is a wonderful tour. The only reason I could not give it 4 stars was because of our tour guide, Robert. While he was certainly knowledgeable, he was arrogant and condescending. He spoke to us like we were 5 years old. He reprimanded a passenger in front of the entire bus when she arrived late to the bus. When we arrived at the plantation, he told us that we better be back in the bus at 1:00 or the bus would leave without you and you’ll have to find your own way back. This man should not be dealing with tourists. He is not a positive representative for the tour company.
The tour of Oak Alley Plantation was very interesting. You got to see where the enslaved workers lived and learned about their rolls in the plantation. You also learned about the family who owned the Plantation and their personal enslaved individuals and their family. . The grounds are beautiful.
The swamp tour was awesome. Our boat captain was Captain Dustin. He had a very special relationship with the animals we met in the swamp, he was very personable and entertaining. If you get a choice I highly recommend you request to be on his boat tour.
warren_a, Apr 2026
Plantation tour was informative. Dan was great fun on the swamp tour. Dione...not sure how to spell it....filled us with alot of info on the bus.
Cathy_G, Apr 2026
We had a great time on this tour! The plantation was beautiful and informative. The swamp ride was exciting! Our guide even fed the alligators up close and personal! A definite tour to go on!
Barbara_S, Apr 2026
Nice Blend of Activities for a Family. Plantation nice, the stately oaks beautiful. Tour guide was somewhat funny. Yuengling Brewery was founded in 1829, not 1928. Swamp tour was a bit juvenile.
Maureen_M, Apr 2026
The tour guide was very knowledgeable of the history of Louisiana. The plantation was very beautiful and the swamp tour was very entertaining . So glad I booked this tour.
Sherri_I, Apr 2026
The Plantation was kind of “meh” but the swamp tour was well worth it. Authentic guide and alligators galore!
The bus guide was a little too history focused and serious. Didn’t even ask the usual “where’s everybody from?” ice breaker. We had to raise our hand to speak. But on the way home, she shared her Katrina experience which was most interesting.
Terri_D, Apr 2026
The plantation and swamp tour were very good. The God on the bus was terrible. He knew a lot of information, but he would go off on tangent and he talked continuously when we were on the bus most of what he said was irrelevant .I would never want to be on another tour with him. However, the two places were very nice and it was very organized. He needs to be told to quit talking so much.
David_D, Apr 2026
Great tour. Our guide and a teacher with a lot of knowledge and experience. Easy to follow along and understand.
The swamp part of the tour was very good as we saw and learned about how the critters showed themselves. Alligators, boars, raccoons, egrets, etc.
Gwendolyn_L, Apr 2026
The plantation was beautiful and well worth the visit. We could not believe the number of animals we saw on the swamp tour. Captain Tom was both knowledgeable and funny.
Shelby_P, Apr 2026
Wonderful tours with very knowledgeable tour guides. Coach bus was comfortable and air conditioned. Highly recommend.
Elizabeth_H, Apr 2026
What a fun day getting out of downtown New Orleans and exploring the bayou. It was a beautiful day out on the water in the swamp boat tour. Our driver, Malcom, was wonderful and our tour guide, Kate, kept us engaged all day with her insightful tour and interesting stories of New Orleans and beyond. The swamp boat tour was especially enjoyed by my sons and is a great family activity to explore the bayou and view wildlife like alligators up close!
Chona_R, Apr 2026
The tour guide was a pleasure - knowledgeable, and also genuinely funny. The bus driver drove comfortably.
Joseph_H, Apr 2026
The plantation tour was great but we really enjoyed the swamp tour! It was our favorite part of our trip to New Orleans. Our tour guide John was awesome and Dustin at the swamp tour was awesome as well. Highly recommend this trip!
lidiya_m, Apr 2026
Very informative and interesting trip, especially about plantation history.Beatiful Oak Alley, history of slavery and families,that owned this place.And, surely,there was swamp boat ride with funny, entertaining capitan Jeremy.I would highly recommend this tour to all,who visit New Orleans.
Judi_A, Apr 2026
Don’t miss this combo tour! Excellent! Joann was our guide and had so many awesome stories and facts to share
ColleenA_K, Apr 2026
A fun day away from the city and a great way to connect with history of the past and to explore nature. Alligators up closes and personal :).
janet_c, Apr 2026
The bus ride was amazing Kate and Glenn were terrific. The plantation was good but I thought there would be more to do there. Swamp ride was amazing captain Dustin was incredible.
Courtney_M, Apr 2026
Such a fun day out! Our tour guide was very well informed and shared a ton of history and knowledge with us. My family of 6 loved the combined experiences. The plantation was truly beautiful and we all loved learning about the history of the people that worked there. The cabins that housed the enslaved were so interesting and a great educational experience for my kids. The restaurant there was very good. The swap tour was the highlight of the trip for my kids - they all loved learning about the flora and fauna and the highlight was seeing/holding the baby gator!
Steven_S, Apr 2026
Great bus, great tour guide. Oak Alley Plantation is a wonderful place to visit and learn the history. The swamp tour is beyond expectations! So much fun!
Rebecca_M, Apr 2026
Exactly as described loved the plantation and the boat rode caption was so funny. I loved the hoglets
Rachel_M, Apr 2026
Would recommend. Super knowledgeable bus tour guide and really enjoyed both stops. Although you have many plantations to choose from, I appreciated the diverse perspectives shared about at Oak Alley - including those of the enslaved people. Additionally, the swamp boat tour did not disappoint! Again, awesome boat tour guide who knew the swamp like the back of his hand. Saw no shortage of gators, pigs and raccoons.
Margaret_M, Apr 2026
The combo of Plantation tour and Swamp boat tour was very convenient. Both tours were fabulous. The bus ride to the tour sites was informative and comfortable.
Christina_P, Apr 2026
Be ready for an amazing adventure! Step back in time & explore life on a plantation. While enjoying the amenities of present day. All of the guides along the way from bus driver to swamp guide were wonderful!
Emily_B, Apr 2026
I really wish that the tour focused more on the enslaved stories instead of the wealth generated by them. The property is stunning but it negates the overwhelming history here that isn’t being told.
Dawn_S, Mar 2026
Park at Premium Parking lot P404 by the tower building. That’s were you get on the bus. Pay for a bit more parking than you
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dawn, thanks for the helpful parking recommendation. It's always great to have visitor-to-visitor tips!
S_C, Mar 2026
for a solo traveler without a car, it’s a good option. The journey is great in march or April. Worth it.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks so much. You picked an ideal time to see our bayou inhabitants come out to watch their human neighbors.
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per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans
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