7 Best Swamp Tours in New Orleans in 2023

There are tons of enjoyable things to do in New Orleans, however there are additionally loads of nice choices for day journeys exterior of the town. Whilst you’re there, make sure you take a look at a swamp tour in New Orleans. 

For the reason that metropolis is positioned within the Mississippi Delta, it doesn’t take too lengthy to get to a swamp from NOLA. Actually, many individuals add a swamp tour to their itinerary even when they’ve simply 3 days in New Orleans. 

In simply half-hour, you will discover your self out within the Bayou surrounded by gators. Who is aware of — possibly you’ll even spot the elusive Honey Island Swamp Monster!

There are a number of completely different choices to select from for visiting a New Orleans swamp. On this information, we’ll take a more in-depth have a look at these swamp excursions and I’ll provide you with some suggestions for the perfect corporations to go together with. I completely liked my journey to New Orleans and I’m positive you’ll too!

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What to Anticipate on a New Orleans Swamp Tour

To begin with, let’s speak about the place a swamp tour in New Orleans sometimes goes, what you possibly can count on to see, and reply some generally requested questions.

How Far are the Swamps from New Orleans?

The New Orleans swamps are reached in simply 30 – 45 minutes from the French Quarter.

Some excursions head north of the town to the Honey Island Swamp, some go south to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, and others head west to Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

What Sorts of Swamp Excursions are There?

The preferred swamp excursions in New Orleans are by boat.

There are giant pontoon swamp boats, that are most likely the preferred alternative. When you desire a bit extra pleasure, you possibly can go on an airboat as a substitute.

Or maybe you’d fairly benefit from the swamp at a leisurely tempo and paddle your self round in a canoe or kayak (preserve your palms contained in the boat!).

Whichever kind of tour you select, you’ll get to discover the swamp and be taught all in regards to the surroundings out of your educated information. (I’ve listed extra details about the several types of Bayou swamp excursions beneath.) 

What Animals Will You See on a Swamp Tour?

A significant spotlight of a swamp tour in New Orleans is getting up shut and private with the creatures of the swamp, reminiscent of wild boars, egrets, herons, turtles, and alligators. 

Throughout the fall and winter months, many cold-blooded animals hibernate. When you’re actually hoping to see alligators in your swamp tour in New Orleans, it’s best to attempt to go to the town in spring or summer time.

Some tour operators say they’ll nonetheless discover alligators in winter, however there’s no assure. 

How Lengthy is a Swamp Tour in New Orleans?

Swamp excursions sometimes happen in the course of the day and final round 2 hours. There are extra excursions at evening on weekends in the summertime months as nicely.

When reserving a swamp tour in New Orleans, you normally have the choice of getting your self there or including a pick-up service from your accommodation for a further charge.

What’s The Greatest Time to Do a Swamp Tour?

You’ll be able to go to the swamp year-round. Nevertheless, the perfect time to do a swamp tour is within the fall when the climate is cooler, the foliage is gorgeous, there are fewer mosquitos, and plenty of animals are round!

Throughout the summer time months, the climate is sizzling, humid, and sticky — plus, there are various mosquitos. BUT, the entire wildlife might be out and also you’ll simply spot gators, birds, turtles, and snakes.

In springtime, the climate might be nice with numerous flowers in bloom. Many of the wildlife might be out and there might be fewer mosquitos than in summer time.

You’ll be able to truly be a part of a swamp tour in New Orleans within the winter months as nicely. Throughout this time, there might be quite a bit much less foliage and since alligators like the hotter climate, they are going to be tougher to identify.

Nevertheless, you’ll be capable of see deer, nutria, otters, minks, and birds. Be sure to decorate warmly this time of yr if becoming a member of an airboat swamp tour.

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What to Put on and Deliver On a Swamp Tour

When you’re questioning what to put on on a swamp tour in New Orleans, all of it will depend on the climate forecast and which sort of tour you’re occurring.

It’s best to all the time deliver a poncho or raincoat, as there’s a great likelihood you’ll get a bit moist on the market.

On a sizzling and sunny day, you’ll positively wish to put on comfy garments like a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. Be sure to drink loads of water.

Don’t neglect to pack some sunscreen, sun shades, and a hat as nicely. It’s not a nasty thought to pack a light-weight jacket, both, particularly should you’re occurring an airboat tour.

Within the winter months, it’s best to put on pants and convey a thicker jacket. Generally, it’s a good suggestion to put on mild clothes and simply placed on a number of layers if it’s a bit colder. 

Whichever kind of tour you go on, deliver alongside some bug spray. There are positively bugs within the New Orleans swamp and also you don’t need them ruining your tour!

You’ll most likely wish to doc this superior expertise, however ensure that your machine is protected. Which means taking some sort of waterproof bag in your cellphone or simply bringing a water-resistant digital camera with you.

One factor it’s best to positively depart behind is any costly jewellery. When you drop it within the swamp there’s a great likelihood that you simply’re not going to seek out it.

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The right way to See the Swamp (Sorts of Excursions)

Now that you understand a bit about what to anticipate, let’s check out the completely different sorts of swamp excursions in New Orleans which you could select from:

1. By Swamp Boat

Taking a swamp boat tour is a basic Louisiana expertise. That is a straightforward and inexpensive choice for a swamp tour in New Orleans. It’s doable to rearrange a ship tour that features lodge pick-up for round $40 (click here for details). 

Most swamp boats maintain between 20-30 folks. Plenty of the businesses even have smaller boats that they use for personal swamp excursions, however these are clearly a bit dearer.

They transfer by the swamp at a leisurely tempo, which is nice for wildlife recognizing. Alongside the best way, you’ll be taught all in regards to the surroundings and its inhabitants out of your information. 

2. By Airboat

When you’re searching for a extra exhilarating journey, you possibly can go for an airboat swamp tour in New Orleans. These boats are propelled by an enormous fan on the again they usually can get cruising over 35 mph (53km)! 

Along with larger speeds, the airboats may also entry areas of the swamp the place the normal boats can’t. Because of their smaller dimension, they’ll enterprise deeper into the swamp. 

Airboats normally seat between 10-15 folks. Taking an airboat tour with lodge pick-up sometimes runs about $75. You even have the choice of paying a bit extra to go on a smaller boat. Click here for more details.

Whereas these excursions are positively quite a lot of enjoyable, they’re not really helpful for everybody. Pregnant ladies and really younger kids shouldn’t go on airboat excursions. It’s additionally not a good suggestion when you have any again or neck points.

3. By Canoe/Kayak

A fantastic choice for taking a swamp tour in New Orleans whereas getting some train is by paddling a canoe or kayak. This lets you get deeper into the swamps and bayous than any of the boat excursions.

Canoe and kayak excursions sometimes have between 2-10 folks. These enjoyable excursions of the New Orleans swamp normally run 2-3 hours and are each enjoyable and academic. You’ll must be comparatively match and be able to stand up shut with the animals!

Occurring a canoe or kayak tour prices a bit greater than going by swamp boat, however lower than the airboat. The expertise could be very peaceable and is a good way to have a extra private expertise. Typical costs are round $75 per individual. Find out more here.

4. Going Mountain climbing

You probably have your individual wheels, you possibly can all the time discover the swampland round New Orleans on foot. Simply head to the Barataria Protect that’s positioned within the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park and Protect. 

There’s a Customer Heart on the protect the place you possibly can take a look at an exhibit in regards to the swamp and decide up a map to go on a self-guided tour. You’ll be able to learn all in regards to the completely different path choices on their website.

Additionally they have free strolling excursions given by a ranger at 10 AM from Wednesday to Sunday. That is the right choice for these wanting to slot in a swamp tour in New Orleans on a price range.

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5. Ziplining

A extra distinctive and exhilarating solution to discover the swamp is to join a ziplining tour. You’ll be suspended above the swamp whereas admiring the animals and the panoramic views.

You’ll get to zip alongside 5 completely different traces and cross 2 suspension bridges. Plus, you’ll be studying in regards to the swamp out of your information, with an opportunity to identify turtles, alligators, boar, snakes, deer, raccoons, opossums, armadillos, and birds reminiscent of egrets and herons.

That is an adventurous solution to see the New Orleans swamp! Click here for more details.

• Firm: Louisiana Tour Company
• Ranking: 4.8/5
• Value: Airboat Tour $65
• Tour instances: 9:40, 12:10, 2:10, & 4:15 (Seasonal)
• The right way to e book: Online 
• Assembly Level: 9706 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA. Get directions.

Lousiana Tour Firm is a top-recommended firm in NOLA. When you’re trying to go on an amazing swamp tour in New Orleans, they’ve obtained you coated with each swamp and airboat tours. Louisiana Tour Firm additionally presents a small group airboat tour which is nice. 

Their excursions function out of Marrero, which is only a 35-minute drive from the French Quarter. 

Simply throughout from their dock is a 200-year-old cemetery that’s positioned round an historical Native American burial mound. You’ll positively hear some fascinating tales in regards to the space should you join a New Orleans swamp tour with them.

Discover out extra in regards to the enjoyable airboat excursions on supply, and book your spot, here.

2. Airboat and Oak Alley Plantation

• Firm: Louisiana Tour Company
• Ranking: 4.7/5
• Value: Airboat Tour and Oak Alley Plantation $150. Lodge pickup/drop off is included
• Tour instances: 8:15am
• The right way to e book: Online 
• Assembly Level: 9706 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA. Get directions.

Spend a full time out of the town on this combo tour which incorporates each a high-speed airboat tour within the Barataria Basin, plus a go to to the Oak Alley Plantation.

Take pleasure in a tour of the plantation dwelling by native guides, whereas studying in regards to the instances of slavery. Wander across the dwelling and discover the large grounds – dwelling to twenty-eight big oak bushes (therefore the identify of the plantation). There’s additionally a blacksmith store and a restaurant onsite as nicely.

Within the swamplands, you’ll velocity by the marshes on the airboat, however you’ll decelerate to you possibly can correctly spot wildlife and benefit from the pure fantastic thing about the world.

This mix tour is a superb day journey from New Orleans. Click here to learn more and book your airboat and Oak Alley ticket.

3. Manchac Swamp Pontoon Boat Tour

• Firm: Cajan Pride Swamp Tours
• Ranking: 4.7/5
• Value: Swamp boat $27 for adults with pick-up service
• Tour instances: 9:30, 12:00, 2:15 year-round; 4:15 from March 1 to October 1
• The right way to e book: Online 
• Assembly Place: 110 Frenier Rd, Laplace, LA 70068, USA. Get directions.

When you’d fairly cruise down the swamp at a extra leisurely tempo (fairly than zipping by on an airboat), check out this tour which is aboard a pontoon boat (swamp boat).

If you wish to be taught the distinction between crocodiles, alligators, and caymans, make sure to join a swamp tour in New Orleans with Cajun Pleasure! Their guides are knowledgable and humorous, which solely provides to the expertise.

One factor that units these guys other than different New Orleans swamp excursions is that they really have their very own personal swamp (Manchac Swamp). The wildlife is protected right here so the animals aren’t shy. 

You actually can’t go unsuitable with this tour because it’s nice worth for cash! To be taught extra in regards to the $27 tour with Cajan Pleasure (and to e book tickets), click here.

4. Kayak Excursions of the Swamp

• Firms: NOLA Kayak Swamp Excursions and Wild Louisiana Excursions
• Value: Round $75

You’ll must be considerably match for any such NOLA swamp tour, however it’s quite a lot of enjoyable. Paddle your means by the swamp and stand up near the wildlife (preserve your palms contained in the boat!).

The two-3 hour leisurely paddle is a straightforward one that everybody can take pleasure in. With the slow-moving bayou, it’s a soothing kayak journey stuffed with data, nature, and wildlife. No expertise is critical.

It is a distinctive solution to discover the swamp. Kayak excursions can be found round Manchac Swamp and Honey Island. Take a look on the excursions accessible with New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours and Wild Louisiana Tours.

5. Honey Island Swamp Tour

• Firm: Honey Island Swamp Tours
• Ranking: 5/5
• Value: $29, or $58 with pickup/drop off out of your lodge
• Tour instances: 9:00, 11:30 and a couple of:00pm
• The right way to e book: Online
• Assembly Level Location: 41490 Crawford Touchdown Rd, Slidell, LA 70461, USA. Get directions.

Hop aboard a small swamp boat and cruise by the wetlands of Honey Island Swamp. This protected nature reserve is positioned north of New Orleans on the shores of Lake Ponchartrain.

Throughout the 2-hour tour, you’ll encounter egrets, herons, otters, alligators and extra. You’ll move by conventional Cajun villages whereas listening to native tales of fishermen and swamp pirates…

A go to to the Honey Island Swamp is without doubt one of the finest things to do in New Orleans and makes for a enjoyable couple of hours. Click here to learn more and book your spot. When you want return transport, click here for that tour.

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6. Airboat Adventures at Jean Lafitte

• Ranking: 4.8/5
• Value: Giant boat $59; Small boat $89. $30 additional for round-trip transport
• Tour instances: 9:45, 12:00 and a couple of:00 (year-round), 4:00 & 6:00pm (seasonal)
• The right way to e book: Online or by cellphone at 504-689-2005
• Assembly Level: 5145 Fleming Park Rd, Lafitte, LA 70067, United States. Get directions.

With regards to airboat swamp excursions in New Orleans, Airboat Adventures is certainly the most effective selections. They’re positioned simply minutes from the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park and Protect so that you may be out within the swamp in beneath an hour from the town heart.

Their small boats maintain 6-8 passengers whereas the bigger ones can match 15-30. The additional value for a small boat tour is value it for a extra up shut and private expertise and the power to entry hard-to-reach areas within the swamp. 

Earlier than you embark on their tour, you possibly can loosen up of their good air-conditioned constructing that has a present store together with drinks and snacks for buy. Benefit from the views from their outside patio, and make sure you meet Sugar — their uncommon albino alligator! Click here to book this airboat trip.

7. Go Ziplining By way of the Maurepas Swamp

• Firm: Zip NOLA
• Ranking: 4.9/5
• Value: $89
• The right way to e book: Online
• Assembly Level: 301 Peavine Rd, Laplace, LA 70068, United States. Get directions.

This needs to be one of many coolest swamp excursions in New Orleans! Hook your self in and zip throughout 5 completely different traces whereas dangling over the Maurepas swamp.

After getting acquainted with your gear and a security briefing, you’ll begin the journey from a 60-foot excessive platform. Try the superb views of the swamp, Lake Ponchartrain, the city of Frenier and the New Orleans skyline.

You’ll have an opportunity to identify numerous wildlife as nicely, together with alligators, deer, boar, armadillos, snakes, egrets, and extra. Take a look at this ziplining tour and e book your spot.  

In Conclusion

As you possibly can see, there are many unbelievable choices for taking a swamp tour in New Orleans. Whether or not you resolve to paddle your self round in a kayak, hop on a swamp boat with an enormous group, or zip by the bayou on an airboat, you’re positive to have an amazing expertise.

When you’re heading to Crescent Metropolis, make sure you add a swamp tour to your record of issues to do! It’s enjoyable partying on Bourbon Avenue and all, however it’s even higher after a day of exploring the swamp and studying about all of the superb wildlife that calls it dwelling.

So, are New Orleans swamp excursions value it? Completely! The worth for cash is great and the expertise is one you received’t neglect.

Some photos on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.

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