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7 Greatest Swamp Excursions in New Orleans in 2023


There are tons of enjoyable issues to do in New Orleans, however there are additionally loads of nice choices for day journeys exterior of the town. When you’re there, you should definitely try a swamp tour in New Orleans. 

Because the metropolis is positioned within the Mississippi Delta, it doesn’t take too lengthy to get to a swamp from NOLA. In truth, 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 — perhaps 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 better take a look at these swamp excursions and I’ll provide you with some suggestions for the perfect corporations to go along with. I completely liked my journey to New Orleans and I’m certain you’ll too!

Fast-Look: Greatest New Orleans Swamp Excursions

Click on right here to leap to the 7 Greatest New Orleans Swamp Excursions, or proceed studying beneath.

alligator hidden in the water in new orleans swamp

What to Count on on a New Orleans Swamp Tour

To begin with, let’s discuss the place a swamp tour in New Orleans usually goes, what you possibly can anticipate 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 Nationwide Historic Park and Protect, and others head west to Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Administration Space.

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 most well-liked selection. When you choose a bit extra pleasure, you possibly can go on an airboat as a substitute.

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

Whichever sort 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 serious spotlight of a swamp tour in New Orleans is getting up shut and private with the creatures of the swamp, resembling wild boars, egrets, herons, turtles, and alligators. 

swamp tours new orleans

Through 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, you must attempt to go to the town in spring or summer time.

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

How Lengthy is a Swamp Tour in New Orleans?

Swamp excursions usually happen through the day and final round 2 hours. There are extra excursions at evening on weekends in the summertime months as properly.

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 lodging for a further price.

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

You may go to the swamp year-round. Nonetheless, 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 many animals are round!

Through 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 plenty of flowers in bloom. A lot of the wildlife might be out and there might be fewer mosquitos than in summer time.

You may really be part of a swamp tour in New Orleans within the winter months as properly. Throughout this time, there might be rather a lot much less foliage and since alligators like the hotter climate, they are going to be more durable to identify.

Nonetheless, you’ll have the ability to see deer, nutria, otters, minks, and birds. Be sure to decorate warmly this time of 12 months if becoming a member of an airboat swamp tour.

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What to Put on and Convey On a Swamp Tour

new orleans swamp tour

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

You need to all the time convey a poncho or raincoat, as there’s an excellent likelihood you’ll get somewhat moist on the market.

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

Don’t overlook to pack some sunscreen, sun shades, and a hat as properly. It’s not a nasty concept to pack a light-weight jacket, both, particularly in the event you’re occurring an airboat tour.

Within the winter months, you must put on pants and produce a thicker jacket. Usually, 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 sort of tour you go on, convey alongside some bug spray. There are undoubtedly bugs within the New Orleans swamp and also you don’t need them ruining your tour!

You’ll most likely need to doc this superior expertise, however make sure that your system is protected. Which means taking some type of waterproof bag to your cellphone or simply bringing a water-resistant digicam with you.

One factor you must undoubtedly go away behind is any costly jewellery. When you drop it within the swamp there’s an excellent likelihood that you simply’re not going to seek out it.

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How you can See the Swamp (Sorts of Excursions)

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

1. By Swamp Boat

swamp pontoon boat on the water in new orleans

Taking a swamp boat tour is a basic Louisiana expertise. That is a straightforward and reasonably priced possibility for a swamp tour in New Orleans. It’s potential to rearrange a ship tour that features resort pick-up for round $40 (click on right here for particulars). 

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

They transfer by way of 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

airboat tour new orleans

When you’re seeking 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 and so they can get cruising over 35 mph (53km)! 

Along with greater speeds, the airboats may also entry areas of the swamp the place the standard boats can’t. Because of their smaller measurement, they will enterprise deeper into the swamp. 

Airboats normally seat between 10-15 individuals. Taking an airboat tour with resort pick-up usually runs about $75. You even have the choice of paying a bit extra to go on a smaller boat. Click on right here for extra particulars.

Whereas these excursions are undoubtedly a whole lot of enjoyable, they’re not advisable for everybody. Pregnant ladies and really younger youngsters shouldn’t go on airboat excursions. It’s additionally not a good suggestion when you’ve got any again or neck points.

3. By Canoe/Kayak

kayaking in the new orlenas swamp

An amazing possibility 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 usually have between 2-10 individuals. These enjoyable excursions of the New Orleans swamp normally run 2-3 hours and are each enjoyable and academic. You’ll should be comparatively match and be able to stand up shut with the animals!

Happening a canoe or kayak tour prices a bit greater than going by swamp boat, however lower than the airboat. The expertise may be very peaceable and is an effective way to have a extra private expertise. Typical costs are round $75 per individual. Discover out extra right here.

4. Going Mountain climbing

two people hiking in the swamp with trees

When you’ve got 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 Middle on the protect the place you possibly can try an exhibit in regards to the swamp and choose up a map to go on a self-guided tour. You may learn all in regards to the completely different path choices on their web site.

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

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5. Ziplining

woman ziplining through the trees

A extra distinctive and exhilarating strategy to discover the swamp is to be part of 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 strains 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 resembling egrets and herons.

That is an adventurous strategy to see the New Orleans swamp! Click on right here for extra particulars.

7 Greatest Swamp Excursions in New Orleans

Right here’s a take a look at a number of the greatest swamp tour corporations out there in New Orleans, together with related data resembling tour instances and costs.

1. Excessive-Pace Airboat Trip

Lousiana Tour Firm is a top-recommended firm in NOLA. When you’re trying to go on a terrific swamp tour in New Orleans, they’ve acquired you coated with each swamp and airboat excursions. 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 undoubtedly hear some fascinating tales in regards to the space in the event you join a New Orleans swamp tour with them.

Discover out extra in regards to the enjoyable airboat excursions on provide, and e-book your spot, right here.

2. Airboat and Oak Alley Plantation

  • Firm: Louisiana Tour Firm
  • Ranking: 4.7/5
  • Value: Airboat Tour and Oak Alley Plantation $150. Resort pickup/drop off is included
  • Tour instances: 8:15am
  • How you can e-book: On-line 
  • Assembly Level: 9706 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA. Get instructions.

Spend a full day trip 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.

Get pleasure from a tour of the plantation house by native guides, whereas studying in regards to the instances of slavery. Wander across the house and discover the large grounds – house to twenty-eight enormous oak bushes (therefore the title of the plantation). There’s additionally a blacksmith store and a restaurant onsite as properly.

Within the swamplands, you’ll velocity by way of 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 realm.

This mixture tour is a good day journey from New Orleans. Click on right here to be taught extra and e-book your airboat and Oak Alley ticket.

3. Manchac Swamp Pontoon Boat Tour

  • Firm: Cajan Pleasure Swamp Excursions
  • 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
  • How you can e-book: On-line 
  • Assembly Place: 110 Frenier Rd, Laplace, LA 70068, USA. Get instructions.

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

If you wish to be taught the distinction between crocodiles, alligators, and caymans, make certain to enroll in 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 aside from 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 fallacious 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 on right here.

4. Kayak Excursions of the Swamp

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

You’ll should be considerably match for the sort of NOLA swamp tour, however it’s a whole lot of enjoyable. Paddle your method by way of the swamp and stand up near the wildlife (preserve your fingers 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.

This can be a distinctive strategy to discover the swamp. Kayak excursions can be found round Manchac Swamp and Honey Island. Take a look on the excursions out there with New Orleans Kayak Swamp Excursions and Wild Louisiana Excursions.

5. Honey Island Swamp Tour

  • Firm: Honey Island Swamp Excursions
  • Ranking: 5/5
  • Value: $29, or $58 with pickup/drop off out of your resort
  • Tour instances: 9:00, 11:30 and a pair of:00pm
  • How you can e-book: On-line
  • Assembly Level Location: 41490 Crawford Touchdown Rd, Slidell, LA 70461, USA. Get instructions.

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

Through 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 among the greatest issues to do in New Orleans and makes for a enjoyable couple of hours. Click on right here to be taught extra and e-book your spot. When you want return transport, click on right 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 further for round-trip transport
  • Tour instances: 9:45, 12:00 and a pair of:00 (year-round), 4:00 & 6:00pm (seasonal)
  • How you can e-book: On-line or by cellphone at 504-689-2005
  • Assembly Level: 5145 Fleming Park Rd, Lafitte, LA 70067, United States. Get instructions.

With regards to airboat swamp excursions in New Orleans, Airboat Adventures is unquestionably top-of-the-line decisions. They’re positioned simply minutes from the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park and Protect so that you will be out within the swamp in beneath an hour from the town middle.

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

Earlier than you embark on their tour, you possibly can calm down of their good air-conditioned constructing that has a present store together with drinks and snacks for buy. Benefit from the views from their out of doors patio, and you should definitely meet Sugar — their uncommon albino alligator! Click on right here to e-book this airboat journey.

7. Go Ziplining By means of the Maurepas Swamp

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

After getting aware of 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 plenty of wildlife as properly, 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 incredible choices for taking a swamp tour in New Orleans. Whether or not you determine to paddle your self round in a kayak, hop on a swamp boat with a giant group, or zip by way of the bayou on an airboat, you’re certain to have a terrific expertise.

When you’re heading to Crescent Metropolis, you should definitely add a swamp tour to your record of issues to do! It’s enjoyable partying on Bourbon Road 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 house.

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

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

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