Covered pontoon boat on a scenic New Orleans swamp tour through the Louisiana bayou

From

$37

per person

★★★★★3,000+

Check Availability

~90m

Up to 72 pax

Daily 6 pics

~90 minutes

Multiple daily

Up to 72 passengers

6 photos

From$37per person★★★★★3,000+

Check Availability

New Orleans Covered Pontoon Boat Swamp Tour

★★★★★3,000+ five-star reviews

The Covered Swamp Tour — Shade, Comfort, All Ages, $37

The swamp tour for everyone — no age limits, no weight limits, no restrictions. Our covered pontoon is the most comfortable ride on the bayou: shaded from the summer sun, and if a light shower rolls through mid-tour, you’re in the driest seat in the swamp. At $37, it’s the most affordable swamp tour we offer.

Tour Highlights

✓Covered boat — shade and comfort the whole trip
✓$37 — our most affordable swamp tour (airboats run $75–$124)
✓Perfect for families with infants and toddlers
✓Gentle, peaceful ride through the bayou
✓Stay cool and comfortable while you explore

Getting to the Swamp

🚐$30/person round-trip shuttle from your hotel

🅿️Free parking if you drive yourself

⏱️25-40 minute drive from French Quarter

🏨Pickup at French Quarter & downtown hotels

Round-Trip Shuttle Service

Convenient pickup from your French Quarter or downtown hotel

$30

per person

Driving Yourself?

The swamp launch is approximately 25-40 minutes south of the French Quarter. Free parking available at the dock.

What Guests Are Saying

“My mom and I did this together and we had a blast. It was very fun and very interesting and we received a lot of knowledge on gators, a preserve vs wild and bringing them back from near extinction. Our captain was very knowledgeable, funny, and had great stories to share. I recommended going on this tour.”

★★★★★— TripAdvisor Reviewervia TripAdvisor

“Lenny was very knowledgeable and helpful when booking the tour! Would definitely book again.”

★★★★★— Robbyn A.via TripAdvisor

“Our captain found us a couple of gators despite the gray chilly weather when most of them were snuggled in the mud. He also found us hundreds of birds and one wild pig. Terrific morning.”

★★★★★— Claire H.via Google

About This Tour

EVERYONE can ride on this swamp tour. The Covered Pontoon Boat has no age limits, no weight limits, and no physical requirements, making it the perfect choice for families with infants, pregnant women, elderly guests, or anyone who prefers a gentler pace. While our airboats have restrictions, the pontoon welcomes all.

Settle into shaded, covered seating as your Cajun captain guides you through cypress forests draped in Spanish moss. The ride is quiet enough to hear the splash of a turtle sliding off a log and the call of a great blue heron lifting from the bank. You might be surprised how much wildlife you encounter on these calm bayou waters. Bring your camera and a bottle of water, and enjoy the ride.

If you have little ones, mobility concerns, or simply want a peaceful day on the bayou without the intensity of an airboat, this is your tour. It is also the most affordable swamp tour we offer, making it ideal for large families and groups.

What's Included

★Expert Cajun captain
★Guide shares stories about the bayou and its wildlife
★Covered, shaded seating on the pontoon boat
★Kids 4 and under ride for one dollar (must sit on parent's lap)
★Self-drive to dock or add our optional shuttle service

Not included in this tour+

—Gratuities

Transportation details+

Pickup areas: French Quarter, CBD / Warehouse District, Garden District

We pick up from most hotels in these areas. Your exact pickup point will be confirmed by email - it may be your hotel entrance or a nearby landmark within a short walk.

Rideshare/Uber to the swamp is not recommended — We strongly discourage using Uber, Lyft, or taxis. The launch areas are rural and not well-serviced by rideshare. While it's easy to get a ride from New Orleans to the bayou, finding a return ride can be difficult—guests have been stranded in the past.

After you book:

•Pre-Confirmation Email — You'll receive an order request confirmation right away
•Full Confirmation — Within 24 hours, we'll send your complete confirmation with all tour details
•Pickup Details — Your confirmation includes your pickup time and location (if you added shuttle)
•Day Of Tour (Shuttle) — Be ready outside your pickup location at the START of your pickup window. Stay put until the shuttle arrives - you might be first or last on the route.
•Day Of Tour (Driving) — Arrive at the dock at least 15 minutes early for check-in. Give yourself extra time for traffic - boats leave on time.
•Questions? — Call or text (504) 226-5433 anytime - we're real humans, not a call center

Shuttle is added during checkout — select it when choosing your tour date.

Driving Yourself

Our swamp launches are about 25-40 minutes south of the French Quarter. If you choose to drive, free parking is available at the dock. You'll receive the exact address in your confirmation email after booking.

Booking Separately?

We use 4 different docks depending on tour type and availability. Guests who book separately are not guaranteed to be on the same boat or even the same dock. If you're hoping to be with friends or family booking separately, please contact us immediately after booking so we can try to coordinate.

What to Bring

●Bottle of water

When & Where

Departure times

8:30 AM
hotel pickup
9:45 AM
10:45 AM
hotel pickup
12:00 PM
12:45 PM
hotel pickup
2:00 PM
2:45 PM
Mar-Oct, hotel pickup
4:00 PM
Mar-Oct
4:45 PM
select summer weekends, hotel pickup
6:00 PM
select summer weekends

Meeting point

Swamp Dock (25-40 min south of New Orleans)

Specific address provided in confirmation email

•We work with 4 different docks in Jean Lafitte, Marrero, Luling, and Westwego.
•Which dock we send you to depends on your tour, transportation needs, and availability.
•To avoid confusion, we'll send your specific dock address in your confirmation email.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if it rains?+

A little rain usually doesn't stop the boats, and the covered pontoon is the most comfortable ride on a wet day. Cancellation is the captain's call, made in conjunction with the Coast Guard: if conditions on the water aren't safe, the trip is cancelled and you'll receive a full refund or the option to reschedule. If the captain doesn't cancel, the tour is on, rain and all, and choosing to skip it because of the weather isn't refundable.

How do I get to the swamp tour?+

You have two options: 1) Book our shuttle service ($30/person round-trip) which picks you up from your French Quarter or downtown hotel, or 2) Drive yourself (free parking at the dock). The swamp launch is 25-40 minutes from the French Quarter. We'll send exact directions in your confirmation email.

Can I use Uber/Lyft to get to my swamp tour?+

We strongly discourage using rideshare services. While getting a ride TO the bayou is usually easy, the launch areas are rural and not well-serviced by Uber/Lyft. Guests have been stranded waiting for a return ride. We recommend our shuttle service or driving yourself.

What's included in the shuttle service?+

Our $30/person shuttle includes round-trip transportation from your French Quarter or downtown New Orleans hotel to the swamp launch and back. The shuttle is air-conditioned and comfortable. Pickup times are coordinated with your tour departure.

Where does the shuttle pick up?+

We pick up from hotels in the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans. If your hotel is outside this area, we'll arrange a convenient central pickup point. After booking, you'll receive specific pickup instructions and timing.

What if I'm booking separately from friends/family?+

We use 4 different docks depending on tour type and availability. If you book separately, you're not guaranteed to be on the same boat or even the same dock. Please contact us immediately after booking if you need to coordinate with other guests.

Do I need to add shuttle service for combo tours?+

It depends which combo. The Swamp & Plantation Combo includes round-trip transportation from the French Quarter for the whole day. On the Gators, Ghosts & Vampires combo, the swamp shuttle is an optional add-on ($30 per person, round-trip). You can drive yourself to the dock instead and park for free. Either way, the ghost tour half is a walking tour that meets in the French Quarter, so that part never needs a shuttle.

What's the difference between an airboat and a fanboat?+

They're the same thing! Airboat and fanboat are two names for the same type of boat. These flat-bottomed vessels are powered by a large fan mounted on the back, which is why some people call them fanboats. In the New Orleans swamp tour industry, airboat is the standard term, but you'll hear both. No matter what you call it, you're in for a thrilling ride through the Louisiana bayou.

Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page

Important Information

EVERYONE can ride on the Pontoon Boat! No age restrictions, no weight restrictions, no physical restrictions. This is the perfect tour for pregnant women, elderly guests, those with back/neck issues, or anyone who prefers a gentler experience.