Last updated on November 7th, 2023
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Looking for the best airboat tours New Orleans? Here are the most EPIC airboat adventures in NOLA!
New Orleans is famous for its gumbo, shrimp & grits, Mardi Gras, and insane parades. But that’s not all they’re known for.
If you’ve heard anything about Nola, you know one of the best things to do in New Orleans is go on an airboat swamp tour. So, your trip wouldn’t be complete without going on one.
As someone who loves New Orleans, I’m giving you the best airboat swamp tours the city offers.
You’ll learn about several swamp boat tours in New Orleans that range from 2-4 hours long, and some even have hotel pickups.
After reading this post, you’ll have the perfect bayou swamp tour for your trip to New Orleans.
This post is all about the best airboat tours – New Orleans.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.
Best Airboat Tours - New Orleans
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars – with over 350 positive reviews! | ⌛Tour Length: 4 hours (approx.)
Why choose this tour? This small group Bayou swamp tour is perfect for anyone wanting to experience an airboat adventure without the huge crowds. The maximum amount of riders is 14, so you can enjoy a more personalized experience.
Additionally, this is a kid-friendly tour, so the whole family can join the fun. And what I love most about this tour is that they offer transport to and from your New Orleans hotel! Um…yes, please.
What’s included?
- Transportation to and from your New Orleans hotel
- 1.5-hour boat ride through the bayou
- Lively commentary from a professional tour guide
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars – with almost 1000 positive reviews! | ⌛Tour Length: 2 hours (approx.)
Why choose this tour? This airboat tour in New Orleans is ideal for travelers staying downtown. Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in downtown New Orleans is included in your ticket purchase.
Besides being insanely convenient, this airboat switches from adrenaline-rushing speeds to calmer, more gentle paces so you can take in the swampy habitat.
What’s included?
- 1 hour and 40-minute airboat tour
- A professional tour guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off for hotels in Downtown New Orleans
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars – with over 350 positive reviews! | ⌛Tour Length: 2 hours (approx.)
Why choose this tour? This next airboat adventure is a more affordable option for those looking for a more intimate experience. While this tour does not include transportation to and from the site, it limits its passengers to 9 people. So, you can see why this tour is so attractive if you don’t enjoy being in crowds.
Besides the transportation factor, you can still explore the bayou on this tour, search for alligators, and take epic photos. At the same time, your knowledgeable guide tells you fun facts about the swampland.
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⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars – with over 350 positive reviews! | ⌛Tour Length: 2 hours (approx.)
Why choose this tour? This airboat swamp tour is ideal for travelers wanting to experience the bayou without breaking the bank. This tour includes all the fun of riding on an airboat (thrilling speeds, a chance to spot an alligator, and great photos) and transportation to and from your hotel. All of this – for a cost-efficient rate.
And on top of that, you’ll also learn about the area’s flora and fauna from your professional tour guide.
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars – with over 550 positive reviews! | ⌛Tour Length: 2 hours (approx.)
Why choose this tour? This tour is for all my budget travelers looking to get in on the swamp action.
Maybe you spent a little extra money on all the yummy food, but you still want to see the swamp AND stay within your budget. Or perhaps you’re not convinced the swampland is worth all that money. Either way, this is the tour for you.
For a highly affordable price, you can experience the swampy land of New Orleans and hopefully see some alligators & other wildlife.
However, due to the cheaper fare, there are some things you’ll have to compromise on.
- You won’t be on an airboat but rather a regular swamp boat. This means you will likely not be going at fast speeds.
- There are a lot more passengers allowed on this tour, with the cap being 50 people.
- Hotel pick-up & drop-off are not included.
Now with that being said, this is still an excellent tour to book. You get to hold a tiny alligator. And this tour is friendly for just about everyone, regardless of health conditions such as heart issues, etc.
FAQs for Airboat Swamp Tours in New Orleans
General Information to be aware of: Airboat Tours - New Orleans
Here is some additional information about the majority of airboat tours:
- Tours are not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Tours are not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Tours are not wheelchair accessible
**Please check with your specific tour on guidelines for the experience.**
What time is best for an airboat ride in New Orleans?
Anytime is a great time for an airboat ride. Although, the swamp is at its prettiest in the early morning.
Regarding the best time of year, the alligators are most active in late August/early September. So, I recommend going during this time if it’s the gators you want to see.
Do swamp tours run in the rain?
Typically, swamp tours still run rain or shine! In fact, going on a tour in the rain can be somewhat of a relief because it’s not as hot.
Of course, whether or not your swamp tour operates in the rain depends entirely on the tour company you book with. Be sure to check with them on their rain policy.
Do you get wet on airboat tours?
No. You may feel a bit of mist from the spray, but you’ll remain dry for the entire experience outside of that. Now, if it rains, naturally, you’ll get wet.
If your tour still operates during the rain, check the weather beforehand. And bring a raincoat or poncho if there’s a possibility of rain.
What do you wear on an airboat Swamp Tour in New Orleans?
During the summer, you can expect hot temperatures and a beating sun. So, wear sunscreen, a hat, and some sunglasses. Otherwise, you’ll be cooking the entire time.
Other than that, you can wear casual clothes for the tour. Shorts, t-shirts, sandals, flip-flops, tennis shoes. Whatever you feel comfortable in.
You’ll want to wear a coat and long pants during the colder months.
Bonus tip: Leave your jewelry at home. You DO NOT want your expensive jewelry getting lost in the swamp. You definitely aren’t getting it back, so save yourself the headache & leave it at the hotel.
What not to do in an airboat?
Before you begin your airboat swamp tour, your guide will give you clear instructions on dos & don’ts. So, make sure to pay attention when they’re informing you.
However, a big no-no is getting too close to the propeller. Clothing or loose items can get caught in the propeller, which is bad business for the passenger & the boat. So, to keep yourself & everyone aboard safe, keep your personal items secure while riding.
Another crucial tip is to not feed the animals!
Do you know those signs at the zoo that say don’t feed the animals?
Well, the same rules apply here. Not only can the animals become aggressive when you try to feed them, but you can also scare them away. And that’s no fun for anyone.
Why do you sit high in an airboat?
The high seats on airboats allow both the captain and the passengers better visibility on the water. This helps the driver maneuver around any debris, and the folks on board can see the alligators & other wildlife way better.
Plus, you just feel cool sitting up that high. 😆
Do you tip airboat tours?
Yes, it is customary to tip on airboat tours, especially if you’ve had excellent service. However, tipping is not required. A good rule of thumb is to tip 20 percent or better if the service is outstanding.
How fast do airboats go?
Technically, airboats can go as fast as 130 miles per hour. However, tour experiences usually only go as fast as 40-50 mph, with slower speeds in between.
How many people fit on an airboat tour?
The amount of people on your airboat tour depends on the tour company & the type of tour you book. Smaller airboat swamp tours range from 9-15 people, whereas larger tours can hold up to 50 passengers.
This post is all about the best airboat tours – New Orleans.
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