New Orleans Small Airboat Swamp Tour
Further Into the BayouSmall Airboats seat no more than 10 people and get deeper into the bayou than the larger boats. Fast, loud, and thrilling — with a smaller group, you'll feel every bit of it.
Tour Highlights
- ✓Small group feel with more personal attention
- ✓Navigate narrow waterways larger boats can't reach
- ✓Fast and thrilling ride through the bayou
- ✓Nimble enough to get you closer to the wildlife and further into the swamp
Getting to the Swamp
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
“Being from Texas I wanted to show my California wife what true Louisiana is. Captain Steve was a blast. His knowledge of the ecosystem and habitat was that of an Ivy League professor and the tour was sensational. Highly recommended and ask for tiger bait.”
“What a fun tour! We took the small boat tour and our captain was knowledgeable, hilarious, and brave as hell calling over the big gator! The weather was beautiful, the Spanish moss covered cypress trees lining the bayou was picturesque. I highly recommend and will do this airboat tour again if I ever make it back down to Louisiana!”
“This tour company is top notch! From reservations, making special arrangements for our pick up near our place, sent messages reminding of the upcoming trip. The Air Boat Captain was great, informative and friendly and just the right amount of crazy to make the ride fun. I'd go back on my next trip. Oh and to hear a Chevy 454 4 Barrel scream across the water, that alone is worth it! Highly recommend this tour and specially this outfit!”
About This Tour
The Small Airboat seats just 10 passengers and goes further into the bayou than any larger boat can. Its compact size lets your captain navigate narrow waterways and hidden channels that bigger vessels cannot access. Fast, loud, and thrilling, this is the swamp tour for anyone who wants to see parts of the bayou most visitors never reach.
Hold on tight as your expert Cajun captain takes you deep into the Louisiana bayou. Watch in amazement as your captain spots a gator basking on a log, then expertly maneuvers the boat for the perfect photo opportunity. You will learn the signals Cajun captains use to locate alligators in the murky bayou waters, a skill passed down through generations.
Perfect for thrill-seekers and anyone who wants a more intimate, adventurous swamp experience. With just 10 passengers, you get personalized attention and the best chance to get up close with the bayou's wildest residents.
What's Included
- ★Maximum 10 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 in this tour+
- —Gratuities
Transportation details+
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
- ●Sunscreen and sunglasses
- ●Camera or phone with a strap so it doesn't fly off the boat
- ●Dress comfortably for the weather
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
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
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.
Availability at a glance
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Fri, Sep 18
New Orleans Small Airboat Swamp Tour
From $94 per person · About 1 hour 45 minutes
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