New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Alligator Tour
Description
Experience an unforgettable New Orleans swamp and bayou tour as you journey deep into the scenic wetlands of South Louisiana. Board a custom-built pontoon boat for a guided Louisiana swamp adventure through winding bayous, cypress swamps, and authentic Cajun fishing villages. Led by a local Cajun guide, this immersive Louisiana swamp boat tour explores the rich history, culture, and wildlife of the bayou. Cruise through the same waterways once used by legendary pirate and privateer Jean Lafitte, who secretly smuggled luxury goods through Louisiana’s hidden swamps and marshes. Along the way, spot wild Louisiana alligators, egrets, raccoons, nutria, turtles, snakes, and native bird species in their natural habitat. Learn how the region’s coastal wetlands support Louisiana seafood traditions and why these fragile ecosystems are vital to the future of the Gulf Coast.
Tour Options
Itinerary
TRANSPORTATION OPTION: After a short coach ride across the Mississippi River, embark on a fascinating 2-hour boat trip through the swamps and bayous of New Orleans. You will travel through the Barataria Preserve, part of the Jean Lafitte National Park & Preserve system. The preserve offers a taste of Louisiana's wild wetlands, protecting 23,000 acres of bayous, swamps, marshes and forests.
TRANSPORTATION OPTION - Barataria Preserve is part of the Jean Lafitte National Park & Preserve system, which preserves significant examples of the natural and cultural resources of the Mississippi Delta region.
Enjoy your swamp cruise narrated by local captain. During winter months, wildlife sighting experiences may vary.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- In order to help preserve 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
- Tour vehicles are equipped for wheelchair storage. If wheelchairs collapse and fold, they can be placed in the storage compartment on the bus
- Electrical wheelchairs are permitted, but special arrangements need to be made with the supplier for a handicap-accessible bus. This must be arranged 72 hours prior to tour date. Contact details will be on your voucher.
- Unfortunately, electrical scooters are not permitted
- During winter months, wildlife sighting experiences may vary.
Reviews(1,323)
Really nice experience and got to see alligators eat marshmallows. We learned some historical tombstones and wild life in the bayou
A day in the bayous is one to remember and share back home. Thank you for touring with us.
Cancel if any chance of rain . The tour operator took us out in the pouring rain. Everyone got soaked. Sat us in the rain trying to wait it out. Only went back to the dock when it started to lightning
The tour cruises rain or shine, but of course not if there is any danger. We regret if you were disappointed or less than comfortable.
Didn’t see much of the swamp. Mostly looked like a lake or river. Quite boring actually. I thought we would be on an air boat but instead it was more like being in a tourist boat. Hard to see anything unless you were on the right side.
This specific tour is never on an airboat, although if requested the swamp operators may offer them. The bayous are waterways through the wetlands. The alligators are wild inhabitants of the bayou and will come around hoping for any type of treat - but make no mistake, they are wild in their homeland.
Great tour, good guide. Would definitely recommend. Saw a number of gators and racoons who came up to the boat.I would question the use of marshmallows to attract the wildlife though!
Thanks for the great review. Just as an aside. Studies have shown the incredible items that alligators in the wild will eat, and marshmellows are not harmful to them.
We enjoyed the views and the commentary was interesting. The weather was great going in May. Saw lots of alligators.
Captain Larry loves to share the stories of his "neighborhood". Thank you for joining us during this perfect season.
Fun trip overall. Unfortunately the tour portion of the ride was just a recording that was difficult to hear. We loved seeing the alligators, although it's concerning that they now associate all boat traffic with marshmallows! We thought we got a better view of the swamp and gators from the pontoon boat than the people on the noisy airboats.
We hope that the Swamp Boat Captian provided his own narration as well. He explains the native wildlife and on the pontoon boats you have the opportunity to watch them closely.
Great experience. Live and up close encounters with alligators. The boat ride is relaxing and refreshing. Boat captain was very knowledgeable, professional and informative.
Your Gator Tour review is appreciated by one and all!
Fantastic trip, guide was great, good fun. Saw lots of alligators and learnt lots about the area too
We love being a MUST DO! Thank you.
We all enjoyed the experience and the scenery. The ride was smooth EJ tild stories and engaged with the group. A big thanks to EJ.
We will certainly share this great review with EJ! Thank you for touring with Gray Line.
Soooo amazing! We saw SO many alligators and spent plenty of time watching them. 10/10 would recommend
Your recommendation to friends and family is so very appreciated. Thank you from all of us...and the gators too.
