Frequently Asked Questions

What is your cancellation policy?

Tours are non-refundable unless cancelled by Gators & Ghosts or our tour operator partners (usually due to dangerous weather) but payments guests make toward the balance of their tour can, at our discretion, generally be applied towards a rescheduled future tour. Restrictions may apply.

How Far in advance should I book my tour?

While we are always happy to try to find you a seat with very short notice, our tours often sell out two days or more in advance. We recommend you book at least 48 hours in advance. On busy weekends, 72 hours or more is a good idea. Advance notice helps our tour operators know how many tour guides to have on hand. It also guarantees you will be on the very best tours at the exact time you requested.  

If you have a group of seven people or more, you should book as far in advance as possible. Again, we are always happy to try last minute. Give us a call at 888-481-8188 and we will try to work our magic. 

My tour has a hotel pickup but I'm not staying at a hotel. What should I do?

We can pick you up at the closest hotel in our route. Let us know where you are staying and we can recommend a spot for you to be picked up at. 

Is your hotel pickup round-trip?

Yes. We pick up guests at many spots in the French Quarter, Central Business District, and a couple spots near the Garden District. After your tour, we will drop you back off where we picked you up.

How long does it take to drive from the French Quarter to the swamp?

Coming from the French Quarter, it will take approximately 25 to 40 minutes to drive to our swamp docks. It’s a good idea to give yourself a little extra travel time in case you get lost or there is traffic. Our tours start right at their scheduled time and will not wait for guests who arrive late.

Where are your swamp docks located?

We work with several swamp tour operators. Most of the docks are located on the Westbank of the Mississippi River in towns like Lafitte, Marrero, Westwego, Luling and LaPlace. It’ll take you 25 to 40 minutes to drive from the French Quarter to one of our docks.

Are there any restrictions or age limits on the airboats?

Yes. Those who are pregnant, children under 5 years old and/or under 48 inches tall (Dock Dependent), and people with neck/back problems are not allowed to ride airboats.

When I checkout, am I guaranteed a spot on the tour?

Not quite. When we receive your order, we call the best tour operators in New Orleans and personally ensure they have room for you. Once we get confirmation they can fit you in, we will send you a confirmation via an email, or text (email provides full information, and you get to choose how we contact you). At that time, we will supply you will all the information you need, including your remaining balance and where you need to be for your tour.

If for some reason we could not squeeze you in at the time you requested, we will contact you with your options (different times, days or alternate tour operators who may have slightly different prices). If none of those options sound good to you, we will issue an immediate refund of your deposit. Generally speaking, as long as you book at least 48 hours before your desired tour time, it is highly unlikely your tour will be sold out. 

If you are booking a tour last minute (less than 48 hours before your scheduled tour time), we recommend you just give us a call at 888-481-8188. That way we can provide you with the most up to date information. If you give us a call, we will not charge your card until your spot on the tour has been confirmed. 

Do you put on the tours yourself?

No. We are independent booking agents who work with, but not for, more than 25 different tour companies in the New Orleans area. We personally go on the different tours, read reviews and listen to our customers, and then we base our recommendations on all of those factors. If two tours are similar in quality, but one tour is less expensive, we usually recommend the less expensive one to our customers. If our top pick is sold out, we will try our best to place you with our second best tour, then our third best and so on. 

Should we tip tour our tour guides?

Absolutely. It's standard to tip 15 to 20 percent of the total tour cost, just like you would a waitress. Tour guides rely on tips to help earn their living. If you loved your tour, show your guide some love. 

What is the difference between an airboat swamp tour and a covered tour boat swamp tour?

Covered tour boats, or pontoon boats, are bigger, slower, a little more laid back, and they seat more people. Certain pontoon boats have restrooms, most are covered to keep you out of the sun. Airboats are smaller, faster, louder and more mobile. Airboats are basically hovercrafts: they can go over mud and need less than an inch of water, so you see more of the bayou. 

Can you help me plan my whole vacation?

Absolutely. Don't know thing one about New Orleans or don't want to worry about it? We can consult with you to find out your interests and then set a special itinerary just for you. We can arrange restaurant reservations, golf tee times, sightseeing tours, museum trips, concert tickets and more. Contact us for details and pricing. 

Can I get a group discount?

Probably! Contact us at 888-481-8188 and we can talk with you about group discounts. 

Are your ghost tours scary?

Our ghost tours are definitely spooky. However, no one will jump out and try to scare you and our guides aren't wearing costumes. But we think it's pretty scary to hear about real-life murders, fires and torture and to see the places where they occurred and to know that these tragic events directly led to ghostly spirits and unexplained phenomena. People often report getting orbs and other unexplained things in their photography while on these tours. 

Which plantation tour is better?

Oak Alley is really beautiful. You simply have to see it. But Laura has fascinating history. We highly recommend both and fortunately, you can see both in the same day on our double plantation tour. But if you only have time for one, it depends on what you are interested in: southern elegance or history. If you want to see a beautiful, picture-perfect plantation, go with Oak Alley. It's Charlotte's favorite. If you are into the real life history of plantation owners and their slaves, go with Laura. That's Leonard's favorite. 

What else should I do in New Orleans besides one of your tours?

Eat, drink and let the good times roll! Go to a museum. Explore the French Quarter without any real plans. We have some favorite recommendations for bars, restaurants and non-tour attractions. 

I'm already in New Orleans. Can I come see you and talk to you in person?

Absolutely. We have a store at 728 St. Louis Street in the French Quarter, justt off of Bourbon Street. We are open daily, usually from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come see us and say hi! In fact, we sell many other tours at our physical location that you won't find on our website. 

Can you match a price I saw online?

There’s a good chance we can. If you see a better price with a competitor, let us know. Why go with us? We are a small, locally owned and operated agency. We can give you better customer service and a personal touch. 

Who are the tour operators you work with?

We work with most of the top tour operators in the New Orleans area. If there is a specific company you would like to be placed with, please let us know.