Airboat Ride with Transportation from New Orleans
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New Orleans, USA
- 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore New Orleans’ untamed bayou on an airboat tour that includes round-trip transportation and admission to an albino alligator exhibit. Cruise through marshes and swamps as your guide shares stories about the region’s wildlife and history that you won't get in the guidebook. Spot alligators, birds, and other native species, and stop at the remote village of Jean Lafitte, once home to the legendary 19th-century smuggler.
- Ride in an airboat over wetlands surrounding fishing village of Jean Lafitte
- Discover parts of the New Orleans that you can't reach on land
- See alligators in the wild, native birds and giant river rodents
- Food and drink available for purchase before boat ride
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Transport, an alligator exhibit, and time to grab snacks make this an ideal family-friendly swamp tour.
What's Included
- 1 hour 45 minute airboat ride
- Native guide
- Albino alligator exhibit
- Roundtrip transportation from the French Quarter
- Food and drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Gray Line New Orleans400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Gray Line Lighthouse on the Steamboat NATCHEZ dock (Toulouse Street at the Mississippi River)
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
In the morning, meet your air‐conditioned coach in the French Quarter and settle in for the ride to the town of Jean Lafitte, a historic fishing village named for a notorious 19th‐century pirate and privateer. Located deep in the wetlands at the edge of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, this town offers an authentic look at Cajun culture and local enterprise, including logging, plantation agriculture, and a rich—and often grisly—tradition of animal trapping.
Before heading out on the water, pop into the albino alligator exhibit and grab some snacks (at your own expense). Enjoy the proximity to the water surface and warm breeze as you zip through the bayou. Spot lurking alligators, snakes, raccoons and giant river rodents called nutria. Savor the moments of calm when the boat slows and your native captain shares stories and facts about the area’s history and the surrounding wildlife – and maybe even interacts with an animal or two!
Your bayou adventure ends with a return to the French Quarter by coach.
Before heading out on the water, pop into the albino alligator exhibit and grab some snacks (at your own expense). Enjoy the proximity to the water surface and warm breeze as you zip through the bayou. Spot lurking alligators, snakes, raccoons and giant river rodents called nutria. Savor the moments of calm when the boat slows and your native captain shares stories and facts about the area’s history and the surrounding wildlife – and maybe even interacts with an animal or two!
Your bayou adventure ends with a return to the French Quarter by coach.
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (Pass By)
Barataria Preserve (Pass By)
1
Airboat Adventures
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
New Orleans (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 5 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- In case of inclement weather, the tour may be shortened, postponed or replaced with a similar tour on a covered boat
- Minimum age is 5 years
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Sunglasses are recommended. Please note that you are on an air-boat and may get wet.
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q:What is the departure point for the Airboat Ride with Round-Trip Transportation 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
Featured review
Kristine_R
It was such a cool experience!! I would highly recommend to do this while you were in New Orleans you won’t be disappointed. We saw lots of gators and the surrounding nature is just absolutely beautiful! Our tour guide was amazing.
Reviews
4.6
based on 418 reviews
Tovah_B, Apr 2026
This was such a wonderful and unique experience. We really appreciated our guide, Adam, who was so personable and knowledgeable. Additionally, his passion for and knowledge about conservation efforts in the area was inspiring.
Joseph_S, Apr 2026
The guide made sure we saw many alligators. Very safe experience. Excellent experience. Glad we did this.
Charles_C, Feb 2026
Got to be up close to and feed alligators, as well as seeing loads of other animals and birds. Highly recommend!
Kristen_B, Oct 2025
We had a great time! Our driver/guide was awesome .. told us lots of fun facts about the area and we saw lots of gators! We were with people that never had been before and they loved it!
Kristine_R, Oct 2025
It was such a cool experience!! I would highly recommend to do this while you were in New Orleans you won’t be disappointed. We saw lots of gators and the surrounding nature is just absolutely beautiful! Our tour guide was amazing.
Sian_W, Oct 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this tour, though it was also frightening. Our guide fed the alligators to encourage them to get closer. He even knew some of them by name.
Susan_G, Sep 2025
I was unaware that there were various different types of airboat ride. If you want something with a bit more adventure, you want to request a small boat. Otherwise, you are relegated to a 12+ person boat, which has limited accessibility to the smaller canals. Although the trip was interesting as we saw raccoons and alligators and a few other animals, it was really, not quite the airboat zip ride I was expecting.
suzanne_N, Aug 2025
Wear sunblock, take sunglasses cos it’s glaringly difficult to see, otherwise .. enjoy yourself… we only saw gators, which is what I wanted to see in the fan boat, but others saw raccoons…. So that was a bit disappointing that we didn’t see anything else.. but I understand it’s wildlife .. so you can’t predict what you will see
Melissa_C, Jul 2025
This trip was so much fun and the memories will last a lifetime. Great bus ride with historical and interesting facts (Thank you Robert!). Cool drinks on a deck overlooking the water and a fun store with the Albino alligator. And the most exciting swamp boat ride!! Seeing so many alligators was highlight of my trip (Thanks Mark).
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Your review is terrific! We are delighted that you enjoyed the bus and the drinks, to the alligator and boat ride.
Karen_G, May 2025
Absolutely fun!! Beautiful scenery. Great tour guide/boat operator. Lots of alligators. Knowledgeable guide.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Fabulous review. Thank you
Diana_O, Apr 2025
Robert was the driver. He talk a little about the history of Frnech Quater and the city... l had a little trouble when l arrived with my ticket reservations but Robert was able to help. Overall Robert was very friendly, notlogible and great driver... Please keep Robert..Thank ypu.
Response from Host, May 2025
We certainly plan on keeping Robert and recognizing him for making sure you were able to take your tour.
Dawn_S, Apr 2025
Was a cold day, but fun just the same… our boat operator was fantastic! A little late getting started, but was worth the wait
Alex_L, Mar 2025
This was a great experience! We saw tons of alligators and other wildlife. Our tour guide was awesome. I would highly recommend this tour!
Kendall_C, Mar 2025
Great tour, would definitely come back with kids.
Instructions were a little unclear. You meet at the scheduled time of your tour and load into a charter bus. Within fifteen minutes, bus departs and drives 40 minutes to Jean Lafitte. This is not a narrated portioned of the tour. When you arrive at Jean Lafitte, there is a small gift shop with one albino alligator. There are small snacks (chips, candy, but no po boys available as advertised). There is a pretty great outdoor bar with canned beer, seltzers, and frozen drinks. You can bring any of these drinks on board the airboat tour. You can also get a bucket of ice to keep them cold.
Groups are called to board the boats and you take off on the bayou. Informative local tour guides steer through swampy waters as everyone looks for gators. We went in sunny day and saw about 20 alligators, baby bald eagles, and a few turtles. Definitely a worth while experience.
We had a lucky encounter with an alligator who wanted to play. Our boat captain knew how to play around with the alligator and really made for a great experience.
Emily_A, Nov 2024
AMAZING! We had the best guild. He knew much about the eco system of the are even had cute names for the gators. Young but was wonderful. Best trip ever!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
The native locals who conduct the tours also live in the area and love to share their environment.
JESS_J, Oct 2024
We saw maybe 4 gators tops. The guide was knowledgeable but went off on tangents. If you're going to talk for 15 mins on a tangent, at least park the boat in a shady spot. He did do 1 cool trick with the gator . I've been on other airboat trips in the same place and have seen so many more so I'm not sure what happened. Also our bus operator almost left half our party so she was definitely not keeping track of the group.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
We regret that you did not like the swamp experience. We cannot control the amount of wildlfe that makes an appearance, but we can certainly speak with the Captain on his presentation.
Frank_H, Oct 2024
They got us up and close to nature and some of the gators in the area as they weee sunbathing and also in the waters…was a well done and organized tour from start to finish..def worth the money!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
We want to make it worth money and most of all fun .
Josh_P, Oct 2024
Absolutely fantastic adventure! Great tour guide, got to see all the New Orleans’ natural beauty! Highly recommend
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Please share your recommendations with friends and family. Your review means so much.
Debra_G, Oct 2024
Seeing alligators up close and personal. Our captain was very knowledgeable. Transportation to the boat was excellent.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for the 5 stars!
Ashley_L, Oct 2024
Had a great experience with the air boat swamp tour. Our bus driver from the French Quarter named Alton was fantastic. Gave trivia facts about new orleans during the ride to the Bayou. Our air boat operator (I believe his named was Corey) was very good as well. He made sure we saw as many gators as possible.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you Ashley. Alton loves to share so much with his guests. Corey is a swamp are native and knows where to find his water bound friends.
Debbie_P, Oct 2024
The bayou was beautiful. Our guide made sure everyone had a good experience. Definitely a good time. We would do it again.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
We hope you return and join us again. Consider some of our other unique tours with Gray Line as well.
Erik_C, Aug 2024
Great tour! The bus driver, Robert D, was very nice and informative. Once we arrived, the transfer to the airboat was quick. The operator was great, and took us to a lot of places. We saw a bald eagle, birds and alligators. The operator stopped for 10-15 min and brought the alligators in close, and gave us a bit of info on the surrounding area before we headed back. A very pleasant experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
An Excellent rating is just what we love to see in your review. Thank you
Natalie_L, Aug 2024
Captain Mark was great at showing us the beauty of the bayou and swamps. He introduces us to all his nature friends.
We were picked up and dropped off and it was easy to just enjoy.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
An adventure in the south Louisiana swamps will introduce you to animals and to amazing locals. Thank you.
Kayla_A, Jun 2024
This was my favorite part of our entire trip! You just have to be prepared for the hottttt weather if your going in June! Guide was very knowledgeable and had a great presentation! Would highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for the high recommendation! And a great reminder to others that southern Louisiana is both hot and humid in the summer months.
William_M, Jun 2024
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining at the same time. The interaction with the wild life was amazing!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Just the experience we wanted you to have!
Rachel_R, Jun 2024
So much fun. Our tour guide "The Real Deal" kept us entertained and interested. We fed the gators marshmallows (who knew they like marshmallows) and cruised through very beautiful bayou. We got caught in a rain storm but it did not take away from the experience. We will definitely go again if I ever get back to NOLA.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
We hope your return to our city and join us at Gray Line Tours.
Kimberlee_E, May 2024
Our guide was funny, had jokes for days, and called gators like a champ! We were lucky enough to see a bunch of gators, a benefit to going in the heat of summer. We were kept laughing and the air boat ride helped us to remain as cool as possible while out exploring the swamp.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Wonderful - thank you for explaining your airboat ride. The breeze certainly helps the south Louisiana heat.
Patricia_B, May 2024
We chose the airboat and have no regrets The airboat driver tour guide was extremely knowledge of the area and went above and beyond to make sure that we saw gators. I lost count how many we saw highly recommend and will do this again.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Gators and a good captain make for fun for everyone. Thank you for touring with Gray Line.
Angie_D, May 2024
Captain Ramon was an outstanding tour guide full of knowledge and took the time so everyone could get pictures of the gators.
Response from Host, May 2024
Fabulous recommendation. Thank you
Deedra_M, May 2024
Really enjoyed this tour and seeing the alligators be feed and the speed of the boat. Very refreshing fun ride.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience.
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From $90.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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