Tours/New Orleans/New Orleans Airboat Ride
Viator · group up to 30 pax

New Orleans Airboat Ride

4.7(5,132)New Orleans1 hour
VIATOR4.8(3,204)TRIPADVISOR4.6(1,928)

Description

Take a break from the hustle-bustle of New Orleans and escape to nature on this exhilarating, family-friendly airboat ride! Spot alligators, snakes, turtles, egrets and herons as you take a fast, fun ride over a tidewater cypress swamp close to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Admire moss-covered cypress and tupelo-gum trees as you explore bayous teeming with life and take advantage of incredible photo ops. Th premium small-group tour is limited to 6 people, regular small airboat (up to 10 people) or large airboat (up to 30 people) to allow for better views of the wildlife. Please note: If you book the self-drive option you will not receive hotel pickup. If you book the option with pickup, pickups will begin 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to tour time. There are no rideshare or taxi services to this area. Gators are more commonly spotted in summer months.

Tour Options

Private Small Airboat
  • Private Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes 10 Passenger Airboat
Large Airboat with Pickup
  • Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers Pickup Times: Pickups begin 75 minutes prior to tour time Pickup included
Premium Small Airboat
  • Small Airboat: Up to 6 passengers Roundtrip Transportation: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time. Pickup included
Large Airboat - No Pickup
  • Large Airboat: Up to 30 Passengers
Small Airboat - No Pickup
  • Small Airboat: Up to 10 Passengers
Small Airboat with Pickup
  • Small Airboat : Up to 10 Passengers Pickup Time: Pickups start 75 minutes prior to tour time Pickup included

Itinerary

Pass by

Drive-out along the Mississippi River approximately 30 miles (48 km) to the embarkation point of your airboat from your New Orleans hotel. Depending on the option you selected, board a large airboat holding 15 to 25 passengers or a small airboat limited to six to eight passengers for a more intimate, personalized experience.

105 min

Set out on a 1 hour and 45 minute tour on a 20,000-acre (8,095-hectare) tract of tidewater cypress swamp close to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Your airboat is powered by an aircraft propeller to allow a fast, fluid trip through the shallow marshes. Feel the wind on your face as you zip into bayous lined with mossy cypress and tupelo-gum trees. Prepare to see plenty of alligators in the warmer months (and warmer days in winter), some of which may be out sunning themselves on rocks! Your guide may even feed the gators, affording amazing photo opportunities. Keep your eyes open for turtles, snakes, egrets, herons and ibis. You may even catch sight of a hawk, owl or bald eagle. In the cooler months, look for white-tailed deer, raccoons and the large rodents known as nutria. Be sure to check out the indoor exhibits of alligators, including an albino alligator. Note: This tour does not include hotel pick-up or drop-off unless option selected at checkout.

Highlights

Local guide
Airboat ride
Small storage space under seat
Roundtrip transportation (if option with transport is selected at time of booking.)
Ear protection
Unobstructed views

What's included

Included
Local guide
Airboat ride
Small storage space under seat
Roundtrip transportation (if option with transport is selected at time of booking.)
Ear protection
Unobstructed views
Not included
Gratuities
Food and drinks (gift shop and bar available on site)

Pickup Locations & Times

***Pickups start 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to tour time.*** Please be outside or near the main entrance where you have a visible line of sight of the designated transportation area. The driver will be picking up from multiple stops in a 30 minute window. If the bus is not there at first, please keep an eye out for a white shuttle bus with a red logo. Note: THIS TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION UNLESS YOU SELECT THE OPTION WITH TRANSPORT.

Traveller Ratings

4.7
5,132 reviews
5
4,387
4
378
3
135
2
67
1
165

Important Information

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Operates in all weather conditions (sunny or rainy); please dress appropriately
  • Minimum age is 5 years
  • Reservations booked separately will NOT be guaranteed to be on the same boat
  • Taxi & Ride Share services not available in our area
  • We offer a full refund in case of inclement weather that is unsafe to operate tours (lightening/ thunderstorms/ high wind). We still operate in the rain.

Reviews(5,132)

L
LaRosa_B
June 23, 2026
Captain Jacob was so much...

Captain Jacob was so much fun. He knew the area well and he was informative and funny as well. I would definitely do it again.

E
Elyse_M
June 22, 2026
Awesome place!!

Excellent company to adventure with guides are knowledgeable and experienced!! Had a blast loved the green screen photos, the scenery and a very smooth boat ride!

D
Duane_C
June 22, 2026
Top 10

We had an amazing time on this airboat swamp tour! The ride was exciting, and the scenery was beautiful. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the trip both fun and educational. We saw plenty of wildlife, including alligators and birds, and learned a lot about the swamp ecosystem. The staff was professional, and the whole experience was well organized. This was one of the highlights of our trip, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic Louisiana swamp adventure! Don’t remember his name but we was on boat 18

L
Lisa R
June 22, 2026
Amazing Swamp Tour!!

Awesome tour guide who knew the bayou well! He was very knowledgeable about the area as well as the alligators! Our guide truly had a love for nature and the river along with the alligators in it! We got to feed the gators marshmallows off a stick which was amazing! He was very kind and friendly making sure all parties had group pictures. I highly recommend this tour for both adults and children!

M
Michelle_S
June 22, 2026
Airboat

So much fun!!! Jay was the BEST guide!! I would do the airboat over the pontoon! More interactive and more fun!

H
Heather_Z
June 22, 2026
It is hot. Bring at...

It is hot. Bring at least 1 or 2 waters or gatorade. Captain Larry was funny and educational. He was great.

C
Christopher_S
June 20, 2026
Mark was fantastic. Our...

Mark was fantastic. Our party had an absolutely great time with him. Would definitely recommend giving this tour a go.

S
Scurran458
June 17, 2026
Captain Larry was knowledgeable and made our first experience on an airboat fun. Would recommend Adventure Airboat and I would u

First time on an airboat, which was fun and recommend. Captain Larry was our tour guide. Would book again.

R
randypB2173TC
June 16, 2026
Great Experience

Had a great time with Airboat Adventures today. Was definitely a new experience for us and the whole thing was made better by Capt. Larry. Informative and funny and even got a gator to hop onboard for a visit! We’re glad we got him as our guide👍!

S
Stephen_K
June 16, 2026
Air Boat ride a must do!

Amazing experience!! Shane was a fantastic guide and he gave us a wonderful tour of the bayou. We saw a number of alligators and other wild life!! Highly recommend!!

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