Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
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 Oak Alley 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.
- 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 3,560 reviews
Review summary
Last 12 months
357 reviews
Select a theme to learn more
Travelers appreciate the well-preserved plantation, scenic swamp landscapes, and engaging tour activities featuring close wildlife encounters. Food and beverage offerings, including gumbo and pecan pie, receive consistent praise for quality and variety. Guides and captains stand out for their knowledge, storytelling, and humor, enriching the educational and entertaining experience. Drivers and tour coordination are commended for safety, competence, and smooth logistics, contributing to a seamless, family-friendly tour.
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Great wildlife experience! Captain Dan was very entertaining and knowledgeable. Love the gators and raccoons.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
We know that Captain Dan and the entire staff will the delighted to read your review.
Its bus tour that is all day. Our host Val and Alton were great made the day very enjoyable and Val has great knowledge of new orleans history very informative. I have always wanted to go to a plantation and I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the swap tour as well.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Roz, we are thrilled to know that this tour met your expectations and we hope you will return for more adventures in our region.
Jane did a fantastic narrative of New Orleans that was very interesting and captivating. We did both the Oak Hills Plantation and swamp tour and highly recommend th this adventure.
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Keep recommending Julie. Thank you so much.
Kimberly our tour guide was amazing at giving us the history of what makes New Orleans well New Orleans she also had the best humor she was the best . And Cindy our bus driver was so sweet and displayed the best service friendly and welcoming
Response from Host, Nov 2026
Kimberly and Cindy and incredible assets to our company. They believe in providing the very best experience for their guests.
An excellent day with Kate as our tour guide and Cindy as our driver. Our boat captain Dustin was also wonderful. It was a really informative trip and there was plenty of time for wandering and exploring both the plantation and Cajun Pride. In the plantation, we got to see the beautiful gardens, planter’s house and slave houses with guides who talked us through life on the plantation. On the river cruise, we saw loads of alligators (all different sizes/ages), raccoons, turtles and wild boars. Our captain told stories and jokes, then surprised us at the end with a tiny, baby alligator to hold! A truly brilliant experience.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Lucy, we certainly appreciate guests who take the time to share their full experience so others will know the Gray Line is here is share our region, our culture and our humor.
Had a great day the swamp tour was amazing captain Dustin was great and the oak alley tour was also amazing. The only thing is I didn’t realize it would be over 2 hours drive time on a crowded bus.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
We are so glad you enjoyed the tour. Dustin is a delightful and informative captain who makes the time fly by. Thanks for touring with us.
What a fun experience. Our guide was a great storyteller. Enchanting voice included. There's a lot to see. You will be entertained. I even managed to learn something. Great experience!!!!! I had a fantastic time.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
We are do happy to hear about the fantastic time you had visiting our region. Thank you for sharing.
This trip will leave you with a huge reminder of the power of the nature. Very pleasant day out of the city
Response from Host, Oct 2026
We were delighted to have you join us on the Plantation/Swamp tour. Our city is great, and a short trip out is just a bonus.
Most of the 7+ hour experience was simply driving to and from the plantation. We had no idea the plantation was so far away from the meeting place. The tour guide did interact and point out sights and was very knowledgeable and informative as well as quite humorous. My wife and I agree that it was well worth the money and would recommend this trip, just prepare for the long bus ride.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Most landowners wanted property that could be "get-a-way" and yet could be used for agricultural income so that necessitated distance. But we always remember that an hour bus ride for us was a day of travel by carriage.
Fantastic tour that made everything so easy when traveling without a car. The bus was easy to get to, the guide was wonderful and shared a lot of interesting information, drop off and instructions at the plantation were clear (beautiful grounds there!), then hopped back on the bus for a fun swamp tour. Highly recommend for a fun filled day where all logistics are handled.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Elaina, leave it to us and we will add smiles and memories to take home.
Everything about this tour was amazing . From Oak Alley plantation to the swamp tour, but the best part was Kate and Jasa the guide and the driver.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
You will spoil our great guide and driver with such a great review. They love what they do and they make sure their guests are happy.
The Oak Alley tour was easy but there are stairs. Some great pictures of trees and gardens. The bourbon twist drink is refreshing.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Thank you for touring Oak Alley with us, and the special mention of the delicious Bourbon "twist".
The tour was easy to book and affordable. Check-in process was easy. Pleasant guide and driver. Clean, smooth and spacious bus. Punctual.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
All round we met your expectations and that means so much to all of us. Thank you.
Great tour even better tour guide who has great knowledge and made the bus journey very enjoyable 20/20
Response from Host, Sep 2026
You won our hearts with this great review of your tour. Our guides and drivers are as much a part of each tour as the information they share. Thank you.
Amazing experience! All of it! Our guide, bus driver, and tour guides were all knowledgeable, witty, funny, and just downright entertaining! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
From Amazing to Highly recommend - we are speechless at your compliments. Thank you!
The Oak Alley Plantation was a wee bit disappointing, guide didn't have a lot of empathy. Swamp tour was truly very good guide was superb very engaging.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Nigel, we appreciate every bit of your review. Although we don't have your house guide's name, we will certainly pass this along to their organizer. We were not surprised to hear that the Swamp boat guide was so engaging, but we are delighted every time we hear it.
Great tour
Kate did an amazing job providing information on the history of New Orleans and the surrounding area, it was a great experience that would be enjoyable for anyone who enjoys history, beautiful architecture and nature
Response from Host, Sep 2026
What a fantastic review and glowing recommendation! It was a pleasure to read about your personal experience, and we appreciate you sharing it with everyone here. The Swamp Boat Cruise & Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans is a full-day adventure that your guide and storyteller, Kate, delights in sharing with every guest.
Amazing experience. Loved every moment of it. Highly recommend!!
Robert is super knowledgeable guide and told us many great things. And the swamp ride was just unreal! So many animals we saw, great stories. Even rain didn’t spoil it!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
In New Orleans we do believe that even rain can't spoil a daylong adventure. Thank you so much for all your great comments and for recognizing Robert.
Very enjoyable! Even though it was hot outside it was cool on the boat without being wet! We saw a lot of wild life! Fed gators and raccoons and wild boars!
Val was a wealth of knowledge on the history of New Orleans and the plantations and their slaves. She made the trip fun and enjoyable.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Val and the entire team send a big thank you for joining us on the Oak Alley Plantation and Swamp Tour. Your glowing recommendation means a lot to everyone.
Both the tour guide and the driver were excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, despite the torrential rain towards the end of the day.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thanks so much, Michael. Knowing you enjoyed the daytime adventure means a lot to us. And the fact that you had a great time despite the rain—that’s the true New Orleans state of mind!
Great trip, plantation tour very interesting. Alligator tour was fantastic with great guide, good craic and got to see lots of gators, wild boars, turtles and raccoons. Would definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Please share that memory with friends and family - we would love to have them join us on their visit to New Orleans.
Great experience, seeing and learning more about New Orleans history and culture. Well paced tour, enough time to explore Oak Alley without feeling rushed.
Dione was a great tour guide, knowledgeable and lovely to be around.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
We appreciate all of your kind words and compliments. Thank you.
This was amazing. Wonderful tour guides, wonderful lessons, wonderful experiences. My wife has a tendency to get motion sickness and I still highly recommend this tour. She joked that the bus ride was worse than the swamp boat for her motion sickness. Overall 10/10 no notes. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable, friendly and engaging I would have listened to him for hours. It’s a long day but it is worth every penny and every minute.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Your review made our day. Thank you Ryan. It is our delight to know you will go home with great memories. Tell your wife hello and thank you.
Great day out, made even better by the tour guides , Robert on the full tour and Tom on the swamp tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Our guides and drivers are as much a part of each tour as the information they share. Thank you
It was absolutely incredible, start to finish. Our chaperone John was so cool and hilarious.
Oak Alley Plantation was gorgeous, and our tour guide of the “Big House” Presley(?) was a ton of fun, energetic, and knowledgeable.
The swamp tour was so amazing, we actually got rained out by a thunderstorm, but in the short time we were there we saw so many gators, raccoons, pigs, birds, and even got to watch the captain feed gators jumping out of the water.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
It is a day seeing two of the many sides of our Southeast Louisiana culture. Thank you for joining us on this adventure. Our guides love to send our guests home with great memories.
Very informative trip plantation was interesting & really enjoyed the swamp part of it.
Would recommend it
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Recommendations mean so much. Thank you/
I would have given 5 stars, but our tour guide Kate would not STFU she LITERALLY talked from the time we left the parking lot all the way to the plantation. Then all the way from the plantation to the swamp tour. She just talked, and talked, and talked some more. She didn't even give anyone a chance to ask questions. Our driver Alton was good. The Oak Alley Plantation was not as good as the Whitney plantation. Captain Dan was amazing on the swamp tour! He was the best part of the whole tour. He was very knowledgeable, and funny, and very passionate about his job.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
All guests have preferences on the amount of information they expect to receive, we try to please as many people as possible. It appears that Captain Dan was just right for your visit.
Awesome deal, all day tour for less than 150. The history lessons from bus tour guide, Dionne, and Oak Alley tour guides - PRICELESS. The swamp tour was awesome. I enjoyed watching the other tourists excitement!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
New Orleans finest - always at your service!
Provided by Grayline tours Nee Orleans.
Coach trip firstly to plantation - we chose Oak Alley. Lovely drive along the River Road. Plantation is great - actually had longer than we thought we’d get - 2.5 hrs. Had a timed entry tour of the ‘big’ house - took about 30 mins. Plenty of time to explore outer areas of the plantation, including the slave housing, the cafe is lovely & the gift shop worth a visit.
Following this we were taken to the Cajun Pride Swamp tour company. Excellent swamp tour where we saw plenty of Alligators, Raccoons & Hogs. Our captain was brilliant - great humour & good knowledge of swamps.
Our bus tour guide was lovely but we found the commentary a little difficult to follow as it was slightly disjointed & lacked clear flow. However, her knowledge was clear & we still learned a lot.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Making memories through history and storytelling is essential to a good tour. From drivers, to guides, to swamp boat Captains, we have set that high bar. They know each guest has goals when taking a tour, and they love to help them accomplish them.
Great trip overall with well planned structure and execution. On time and detailed walk through. The swamp trip was amazing with lot of wild life!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We are delighted to read your review on this special one day tour. Two sides of Louisiana seen in a day!
Member Pricing
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$124.45
per personWas $131.00(-5%)
up 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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