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(1,330)
The tour was really great. Lots of alligators. Boat was nice when moving but really really hot when standing still. They could really use some fans. Difficult to understand what guide was saying as speakers not clear and loud boats around.
The guide takes you to alot of areas where you get to see numerous alligators. He feeds them marshmallows so they come close to the boat. Then he takes you to an area where raccoons come close to the boat and feeds them marshmallows. You get great pictures and videos!
We had a great experience touring the swamp, watching the alligators eat, and learning about Bayou culture
The guide was great. Interactive and friendly. You got to see alligators chasing marshmallows. A super sweet momma raccoon and beautiful birds from the bayou. I was worried about mosquitoes but not a problem at all. This was the highlight of our trip.
It is a joy to know we were the highlight of your trip. We hope you will return for more adventures with us.
It was very entertaining. Specially when we saw the gators come put to eat the wieners and marshmallows from a stick from our tour guide.
So Glad that you had "Gator Fun". Come back and join us for more adventures.
We had a great timeover all great experience directions were spot on. Will definitely do again and recommend to others
Thank you so much for the high recommendation!!
We had an amazing time. Even though I am from New Orleans, I took some friends from out of town on the swamp tour. We all loved the tour. The guide, Jacob, was very entertaining.
Thank you so much for bring out of town guests to bayou. We will be certain that Jacob knows of your compliments.
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.
