New Orleans Airboat Ride
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
New Orleans, USA
- 2 to 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- A must for any nature-lovers in New Orleans
- Pick a morning or afternoon departure to suit your schedule
- Choose one of the small-group options for a more intimate experience
- Optional hotel pickup and drop-off available with select bookings
What's Included
- Airboat ride
- Local guide
- Roundtrip transportation (if option with transport is selected at time of booking.)
- Ear protection
- Small storage space under seat
- Unobstructed views
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks (gift shop and bar available on site)
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
Choose a morning or afternoon tour and meet your airboat at the embarkation point in the town of Lafitte, an historic fishing village named for notorious 19th‐century pirate and privateer Jean Lafitte, located approximately 30 miles (48 km) from New Orleans. Prearranged coach pickup is also available from your downtown New Orleans or French Quarter hotel. Hotel pickups begin 75 minutes prior to your chosen tour time.
Upon arriving at the airboat launch site, board a large airboat holding 15 to 25 passengers or a small airboat limited to six to eight passengers. Hold on tight as your airboat takes off into the tidewater cypress swamp near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Enjoy close proximity to the water from your seat in the flat‐bottomed airboat. As you zip through the bayou, check out signature cypress trees dripping with moss and massive tupelo‐gum tree rising straight from the water.
Depending on the season, you may spot alligators basking in sun on the shore or lurking in the water. Rest assured that the swamps are teeming with wildlife year‐round. Spot turtles, snakes, raccoons, nutria and many native birds – you may even spot a bald eagle!
Your airboat tour ends at the embarkation point. Before leaving this iconic Cajun town, pop into the local albino alligator exhibit or grab a delectable shrimp Po' boy to go (own expense). Then drive or board your coach back to New Orleans. Note: This tour does not include hotel pick‐up or drop‐off unless hotel pickup and drop‐off is selected at checkout. If you have selected hotel pickup and drop‐off please specify your hotel details at the time of checkout or advise the local operator directly after booking.
Upon arriving at the airboat launch site, board a large airboat holding 15 to 25 passengers or a small airboat limited to six to eight passengers. Hold on tight as your airboat takes off into the tidewater cypress swamp near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Enjoy close proximity to the water from your seat in the flat‐bottomed airboat. As you zip through the bayou, check out signature cypress trees dripping with moss and massive tupelo‐gum tree rising straight from the water.
Depending on the season, you may spot alligators basking in sun on the shore or lurking in the water. Rest assured that the swamps are teeming with wildlife year‐round. Spot turtles, snakes, raccoons, nutria and many native birds – you may even spot a bald eagle!
Your airboat tour ends at the embarkation point. Before leaving this iconic Cajun town, pop into the local albino alligator exhibit or grab a delectable shrimp Po' boy to go (own expense). Then drive or board your coach back to New Orleans. Note: This tour does not include hotel pick‐up or drop‐off unless hotel pickup and drop‐off is selected at checkout. If you have selected hotel pickup and drop‐off please specify your hotel details at the time of checkout or advise the local operator directly after booking.
New Orleans (Pass By)
1
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
1 hour 45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- Operates in all weather conditions (sunny or rainy); please dress appropriately
- Minimum age is 5 years
- Reservations booked separately will NOT be guaranteed to be on the same boat
- Taxi & Ride Share services not available in our area
- We offer a full refund in case of inclement weather that is unsafe to operate tours (lightening/ thunderstorms/ high wind). We still operate in the rain.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Jenna_B
This was one of the highlights of the trip!! We got to see a lot of gators, and the bayou is absolutely beautiful! Highly recommend for anyone wanting to have a bit of a nature break form the busy city. Also our tour guide, Corey, was phenomenal!
Reviews
4.7
based on 5,182 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Danny_F, Aug 2026
An incredible swamp tour experience! The team had great communication and gave very clear pickup instructions. Everyone was super friendly from start to finish. Our airboat captain (Think his name was Jay) took the trip to the next level. He made the ride so fun and showed true passion for his job and his home. Thank you!
Meghan_S, Aug 2026
The boat rude was amazing, our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and he fed a gator right next to our boat. We saw lots of gators and learned a lot about the bayou! Highly recommend.
Mike_B, Aug 2026
Very informative about the bayous and their purpose. The guide was excellent and very knowledgeable about the area
Chandan_S, Aug 2026
I did not get to go (wife) due to having our two year old grandson (I didn’t see the age requirement). However my family annd husband, Chandan, all went and had an absolute blast. Their guide, Jay Boutte, was very knowledgeable and excellent with everyone. They plan to do this again and my grandson and I will be there for the next adventure.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures. We're happy to hear that Captain Jay showed you a good time on your swamp tour!
Please come back and see us!
Aubrey_B, Aug 2026
We had a great time! Our tour guide took us to specific spots where he had known sightings! He even did tricks with the Alligators to make the excursion enjoyable! My kids (13 and 12) haven't stopped talking about this event and cannot wait to go back!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures! We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour.
Be sure to come back next time you're in New Orleans!
Ladonna_C, Aug 2026
The whole experience was great! We saw beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife. Would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures. We're happy to hear you got to see lots of the swamp wildlife and nature!
Come back and visit us soon.
Taryn_G, Aug 2026
So much fun and an awesome experience ❤️ We came from Kansas and had to do this tour! I can’t wait to bring my entire family back next year!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We're glad to hear that your party had a great time on your swamp tour! Be sure to come back next time you're in New Orleans!
Thank you for letting Airboat Adventures show you the beauty of Louisiana.
Marcel_W, Aug 2026
This was an incredible experience! From begining to end, we had a great time. The guide was really engaging, knowledgeable, and fun. Loved his accent. We would definitely recommend this experience to anyone.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour! Thank you for letting Airboat Adventures show you the beauty of Louisiana!
Wesley_D, Jul 2026
It was totally amazing. The guide was funny and it was the best of times. I want to do it again, at least once more.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures. We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour!
Linda_D, Jul 2026
Our guide was great! Very informative answered all the questions and gave us ride we will never forget!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures. We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour!
Karen_H, Jul 2026
This experience could have been better. Other boats had guides that gave them some history and showed them things in the swamp. Our tour guide didn’t say anything. We had a boat ride and fed the alligators some marshmallows. I would also recommend booking the 8 person tour not the 30 person boat. Those boats went faster, made extreme turns and had a lot more fun.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're sorry to hear you did not have a good experience while with us! Could please email us at info@airboatadventures.com with any information (your confirmation number, boat number, or captain's name) so that we can look further into this matter. We hope this does not deter you from visiting our company again in the future! Thank you for leaving your feedback!
Kristie_K, Jul 2026
This was amazing. We saw so many gators. The guide was fantastic I feel like his name was mark but I might be completely wrong. He was knowledgeable and showed us so many things. Super amazing trip
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Wow, thanks for such a great review! We're happy to hear that you got to see so many alligators and Captain Mark showed you a good time on your swamp tour.
Please come again!
Ian_M, Jul 2026
Had an absolute blast! Saw plenty of gators up close and personal and even had a chance to feed one. Would 100% recommend to anyone visiting NOLA looking to get out of town a bit and explore some of the beauty that nature has to offer here in Louisiana.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Wow, thanks for such a great review!
We're happy to hear that you got to see so many alligators. Please come again!
Sandra_J, Jul 2026
Something for everyone. Wild ride, gators, landscape
A chance to see gators up close and personal. Great guide
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures. We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour!
ramisha_r, Jul 2026
This airboat ride was everything! We had a blast from the minute we took off. The scenery was beautiful, the ride was exciting, and seeing the wildlife up close was an experience all by itself. Our guide knew their stuff and kept us laughing while dropping all kinds of cool facts about the swamp. You could tell they really love what they do.
If you’re in New Orleans, don’t leave without doing this. It’s worth every penny. I’d recommend this tour to anybody looking to have a good time. We left smiling and already talking about coming back!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour! Thank you for letting Airboat Adventures show you the beauty of Louisiana.
Please come back next time you are in New Orleans!
Kayla_S, Jul 2026
So so cool. Our tour guide was funny, knowledgeable and respectful of the wildlife. Great way to see gators and the bayou up close.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures. We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour!
April_W, Jul 2026
Loved this airboat swamp tour. Saw alligators up close and other wildlife/birds/etc, along with enjoying the beauty of the natural swamp area.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're glad to hear that your party had a great time on your swamp tour. Thank you for letting Airboat Adventures show you the beauty of Louisiana!
Kiera_J, Jul 2026
This experience is amazing , very hot bring a towel. Overall it was a 10. Captain on boat #16 was beyond great and interact with all his passengers
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thanks for such a great review and a great tip!
We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour. Please come again!
Laurie_G, Jul 2026
We had an amazing time on the trip and highly recommend! We went with the small group (less than 10) option and it was a blast. We got to go deep into the swap areas and saw many gators up close and personal. Our tour guide Captain Tick Tock was incredible! He took great care of us, provided lots of interesting facts with good humor, let us feed and see the gators with fun and safety in mind, and even took pictures for us. It was so much fun and definitely worth the price! The pick up and drop off at local area hotels was very nice too.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hey Laurie! Thanks so much for the great review! We're so glad you had fun, got to see many alligators and that Captain Tik Tok showed y'all a great time. If you want to be kept updated about our specials and see pictures from tours, follow us on Facebook or check out the blog on our website!
Barbara_R, Jul 2026
A dream come true! The wind in your hair with the speed of the boat is so refreshing. It's better than the boat because we go to feed the alligator.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Wow, thanks for such a great review!
Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour and got to feed an alligator. Come back and visit us soon!
Leslie_P, Jul 2026
It’s much much better than I expected!
The website did not accurately describe the educational and entertainment value
Jay our tour guide was the best!!!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're happy to hear that Captain Jay showed you a good time on your swamp tour!
Thank you for choosing Airboat Adventure.
Jonathan_H, Jul 2026
We had an amazing time on our swamp tour in New Orleans. The fan boat ride was exciting, the scenery was beautiful, and our guide was very informative and made the whole experience even better. We got to see a lot of alligators up close, which was definitely the highlight of the tour. I’d highly recommend this to anyone visiting New Orleans and looking for something fun and memorable to do.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're happy to hear that you got to see so many alligators and your Captain showed you a good time!
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures. Come back and visit us soon!
Kerry_L, Jul 2026
Doing this was on our bucket list and it did not disappoint. Beyond the gators... which there were many, Captain Larry was full of info and insight about other flora and fauna.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're happy to hear that Captain Larry showed you a good time on your swamp tour! Thank you for letting Airboat Adventures show you the beauty of Louisiana!
Deepti_P, Jul 2026
We took a large airboat tour, Very good tour. From the point we booked they constantly kept us informed of the time, directions. Friendly staff and got to see lots of alligators.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures. We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour!
Stephanie_P, Jul 2026
Our boat guide was fun and knowledgeable! We saw lots of gators, learned a lot about the area and history, and all had a really good time!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures. We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour!
Isaac_P, Jul 2026
Excellent tour saw lots of alligators highly recommended for families. Would definitely be coming back.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're happy to hear that you got to see so many alligators!
Thanks for leaving your review and recommending Airboat Adventure!
lisa_o, Jul 2026
Wasn't what I expected. Didn't really feel like we where in the swamp, just enlets off the river. Didn't see very many animals but I know you can't control that. Ejoy3d speaking with our side and like riding the air boat. Over all disappointed.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We're sorry for the lack of sightings, all the animals are in their natural habitat. Our captains do try to give our guests the best experience as possible.
Thank you for choosing Airboat Adventures.
Mariel_d, Jul 2026
The small airboat is the best choice if you also want the thrill of going fast through the swamp, you will get splashed!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Wow, thanks for such a great review!
We're glad to hear you enjoyed your tour. Please come back and visit us soon!
Beth_K, Jun 2026
We have been traveling across the country for the past 2 months and this was by far one of our favorite tours! It was fast, beautiful and fun being up close to wild alligators. Our guide made this tour a lot of fun! We took a small air boat tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for recommending Airboat Adventures. We're happy to hear that your Captain showed you a good time on your swamp tour!
Come back and visit us soon!
Josh_H, Jun 2026
Tons of fun. From speeding across the water to feeding alligators with sticks. It was a great way to spend 2 hours. My son and I will definitely do it again. Captain Ronnie was a blast!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We're happy to hear that Captain Ronnie showed you a good time on your swamp tour. Thank you for letting Airboat Adventures show you the beauty of Louisiana!
Please come back and visit us soon!
From $59.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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