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The classic New Orleans airboat experience.
New Orleans Signature Airboat Swamp Tour
Our Signature 16-seat airboat is the #1 choice for New Orleans swamp adventures. The perfect balance of thrills, intimacy, and value. This is the experience locals recommend and the tour that earned us over 3,000 five-star reviews.
From
$75
per person
About 1 hour 45 minutes
16 passengers maximum
Multiple departures dailyView 8 photos✓Locally owned since 2009
Tour Highlights
- ✓Perfect balance of speed, size, and value
- ✓Our most popular swamp tour
- ✓Great maneuverability through scenic waterways
- ✓Excellent chances to spot alligators
About This Tour
The Signature Airboat is the perfect balance of speed, intimacy, and value. With a maximum of 16 passengers, you get a personal, exciting experience without the premium price of our smaller boats. There is a reason this is our most popular swamp tour.
Feel the rush as your captain opens the throttle and you skim across the bayou, weaving through cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. When the engine cuts in a quiet cove, the sounds of the swamp take over: birds calling, water lapping, and the occasional splash of a gator sliding into the water. Your expert Cajun captain knows every hidden corner and loves sharing the stories and secrets of Louisiana swamp life.
Ideal for families, friend groups, and couples who want an authentic Louisiana swamp adventure at a great price. Hotel pickup is available with the shuttle add-on.
What's Included
- ★Up to 16 guests per boat
- ★Expert Cajun captain
- ★All safety equipment including hearing protection and life vests
- ★Guide shares local knowledge and stories during quiet stops
- ★Self-drive to dock or add our optional shuttle service
Not Included
- —Gratuities
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
How to Add Shuttle Service
1
📅Pick Your Date & Time
Select your date and number of guests in the booking calendar (on the right, or tap the floating "Book Now" button)
2
👆Click "Book Now"
Opens checkout where you can customize your booking
3
🚐Add Shuttle Service
On the "Extras" screen, check "Round-Trip Shuttle ($30/person)"
4
📍Select Pickup Area
Tell us where you're staying so we can find your nearest pickup
5
✅Complete Payment
Done! We'll confirm pickup details by email
Ready to Book?
You'll add shuttle during checkout
What Happens 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
Pickup Area Coverage
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.
French Quarter(Most hotels in the Quarter)
CBD / Warehouse District(Convention Center area, Poydras St hotels)
Garden District(Limited coverage - confirm at checkout)
Important: Rideshare Warning
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.
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.
Driving Yourself?
The swamp launch is approximately 25-40 minutes south of the French Quarter. Free parking available at the dock.
What to Bring
- ●Sunscreen and sunglasses
- ●Camera or phone with a strap so it doesn't fly off the boat
- ●Dress comfortably for the weather
Departure Times
9:45 AM12:00 PM2:00 PM4:00 PM (Mar-Oct)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. Optional shuttle service available for convenient hotel pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
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?▼
Combo tours include transportation! Our Gators, Ghosts & Vampires combo and Swamp & Plantation combo packages include round-trip transportation from the French Quarter. No need to add shuttle service separately.
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.
What's the difference between airboat and pontoon tours?▼
Airboats are faster and more thrilling — great for adventure seekers. Pontoon boats are slower and quieter, making them better for photography, conversation, and families with young children. Both see the same wildlife!
Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page
Important Information
Riders must be at least 5 years old. Pregnant women cannot ride. Guests with back or neck injuries cannot ride. If you are unable to ride the airboat, we offer a covered pontoon boat that anyone can ride—no restrictions!
Activity Level
Easy
Seated the entire time, but airboats make tight turns at speed. Riders need enough core strength to stay steady through the turns. Not recommended for anyone with serious neck or back problems.
What Guests Are Saying
“We've done swamp tours before, but this was by far the best. Great value and our captain made it so fun and educational.”
★★★★★— David R.via Google
“I worked with Lenny to book tours for my company while we were in town for a conference. Lenny was amazing and accommodating. He helped me pick the right tours and even arranged transportation to the swamp!”
★★★★★— Tarah K.via Google
“Best tour we took in New Orleans! Our captain was amazing and we saw so many gators. The medium airboat was perfect—exciting but not too wild.”
★★★★★— The Johnson Familyvia TripAdvisor
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See Availability3,000+ Five-Star Reviews
Rated 5 stars on TripAdvisor
Family-Owned Since 2009
Serving New Orleans since 2009
Talk to Local Experts
Real New Orleans locals, not a call center