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 4,995 reviews
Jaime_L, Mar 2026
This tour is exactly as its described. Swamp airboat tour. Our guide was great- funny and entertaining. My friend and I had a great time!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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KRISTI_S, Mar 2026
The area was beautiful. The boat company owns private land, so you get to see some nice, secluded areas. We saw lots of alligators, turtles, snakes, and birds. The guide was very friendly and shared a lot of interesting details about the local wildlife and terrain.
We've always considered doing this, and I'm glad we finally did it! I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a better look at the wildlife and marsh lands of Louisiana.
The only thing I'll point out is the description of the tour is 2-4 hours. When I arrived, I asked the girl checking us in, and she said it was 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The tour ended right at 1 1/2 hours after it started, and we saw the other boats returning at the same time, so maybe the duration varies by private vs. group tour?
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Elizabeth_W, Mar 2026
If you want to have fun, and see beautiful sites, this is the place you want to be. Shane was knowledgeable as well as friendly. We learned about the wildlife in the area. We were able to see included alligators, bald eagles (nest included, which was huge), and owls. The ride was smooth, and a time was had. I went with my husband, and 3 children. We would definitely come again. Thank you Shane.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Dana_W, Mar 2026
This was so much fun. The tour guide knew exactly where to take us to see the alligators and was very knowledgeable. He was 5th generation. Saw a 600+lb gator and got to feed him marshmallows (which is safe!). Such a cool experience
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Yunmi_M, Mar 2026
We had the best time on the small group tour (with pick up from the French Quarters). Our guide, Captain Jay, was amazing! He literally "called" the alligators to our boat and we were able to see and experience them close up. Jay also shared the history of the area and animal facts with us throughout the ride. It was clear that he had a great amount of respect and love for the land and the animals and we had the best time on this tour. We've done a swamp tour in Florida and were going to pass on this, but so glad we didn't. Thank you Captain Jay!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Emily_N, Mar 2026
Our guide was fun, engaging and knowledgeable. We saw a lot of gators and to be honest, I didn’t think we’d see any. The whole family had a good time and that’s saying a lot for a pre teen and a teenager!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Tracy_S, Mar 2026
Corey was a great guide. Very informative and alligators and other wildlife were found and their habitat explained.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Maria_L, Mar 2026
Our captain TikTok was amazing. He was funny and really allowed us to enjoy the scenery while giving us some really cool history of the area we were in. We will definitely be doing this again!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Shannon_B, Mar 2026
Great experience! Got up close to gators and saw an eagle’s nest too! Mark was a great tour guide. Beautiful day and enjoyed it!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour! Come back and visit us soon.
ashlyn_d, Mar 2026
Was a great experience! We arrived early before the crowd and we loved getting drinks at the bar and being able to take the drink on the boat! Our guide was very nice and informational! We were on boat 17, can’t remember his name! We saw so many alligators and the guide fed the alligators and allowed us to get great pictures & videos! He would slow the boat down for us, that was very sweet! Amazing views of the river and moss trees! 10/10 recommend! Also loved how long the tour is!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour! Come back and visit us soon.
Ashlee_W, Mar 2026
This is a great experience from start to finish. Our tour guide was super knowledgeable and fun to learn from. We road the large boat which was perfect. If you do the morning run, I would recommend bringing a light sweater as it was a little chilly! 10/10 would absolutely recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Anthony_M, Mar 2026
Had a great experience the guide was knowledgeable and did get to see alligators too. I’d recommend this to anyone
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Ann_P, Mar 2026
We had so much fun! We saw a lot of alligators and turtles as well as some very beautiful birds. Our guide Paul was very funny and knowledgeable about all aspects of the swamp.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour! Come back and visit us soon.
Whitney_M, Mar 2026
End of March - 2pm, on a large boat - was a perfect afternoon! Definitely recommend! Grateful for hearing protection and wearing a long sleeve shirt to block the sun rays.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour! Come back and visit us soon.
Paul_D, Mar 2026
Great adventure. Amazing!
Jay added a very personal touch to the tour. Highly recommended. Well worth the money.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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dina_h, Mar 2026
We had an amazing experience with Mark from New Orleans Airboat Tours. He was authentic, sincere, and genuinely funny, which made the entire tour even more enjoyable. You can tell he really knows and loves the area — we learned so much about the bayou, wildlife, and local history.
We saw many alligators, which was a highlight, and Mark made sure everyone had a great view and felt engaged throughout. The ride itself was a blast — exciting but still comfortable and safe.
Overall, it was a perfect mix of fun and education. Highly recommend this tour, and if you can, ask for Mark — he truly makes the experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Chrostopher_T, Mar 2026
Very exciting. They give details about everything on ur trip Our boat driver was the best very fun adventure
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour! Come back and visit us soon.
Shannon_S, Mar 2026
Had a great time. Our guide, Ronnie, was very fun and knowledgeable. We were lucky to have seen many gators, a couple of bald eagles, some turtles and even a snake. We are glad we did the tour. We liked the availability of a bus pickup at our hotel, much easier than finding our own transportation.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Michele_H, Mar 2026
absolutely loved our airboat ride through the bayou! The driver was incredibly fun and full of stories, making the experience both entertaining and educational. The boat handled the water so smoothly, and we got to see some amazing wildlife. It was a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Highly recommend this unique experience!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour! Come back and visit us soon.
Danica_R, Mar 2026
Had a great time! Our tour guide was wonderful. It was definitely a cool experience. Would definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Alfred_S, Mar 2026
Nothing short of exceptional from beginning to end. Staff was super friendly. Would give 50 stars if I could
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour! Come back and visit us soon.
maxine_r, Mar 2026
Fantastic, well organised. Our captain was great - big boat 15 but firgotten his name. Great fun and definitely recommended
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Jana_G, Mar 2026
Tons of fun with gators on display. Order a drink and bring your sunscreen. Captain mark was awesome and informative.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour! Come back and visit us soon.
Kenneth_P, Mar 2026
The brochure for this excursion was pretty much as advertise! It was a very unique experience while visiting Louisiana and I’m so glad me and my teenage daughter was able to do this together during her Spring Break!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Kelli_B, Mar 2026
There was a cold front that came through so it was very cold. However the driver was very considerate and stopped occasionally. We went places and heard stories that were interesting. Watching him interact with the alligator was the best part. He was very entertaining.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Wow, thanks for such a great review! Please come again.
Leslie_S, Mar 2026
Well organized. Owner owns the property and is well maintained. Guide was well versed in his knowledge.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Norma_G, Mar 2026
Our guide was informative and friendly
Answer all questions we asked.
Pointing out things to see and explained about the swamp.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
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Heidi_V, Mar 2026
Amazing experience. Loved hearing about the history of the bayous and seeing the wildlife, including the gators. Our tour guide was fantastic!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Wow, thanks for such a great review! Please come again.
Beth_K, Mar 2026
Our knowledgeable guide gave great insights into the ecosystem of the cypress swamps. The jetboats are fun and ear protection is included.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Wow, thanks for such a great review! Please come again.
steve_t, Mar 2026
They take your money then ghost you when you need to cancel your booking. I tried several ways n times to contact them. Never responded and now I'm out $300
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We are very sorry to hear about your experience. Please email details to Info@AdventuresofJeanLafitte.com so we can work toward resolving the issue.
From $59.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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