9 Best Airboat Tours in New Orleans in 2024

There are many great airboat tours in New Orleans to discover. Here, we will discuss the best airboat or swamp tours in New Orleans, where you can book them, and what to look forward to when you go. 

When we were able to go as a family, our girls loved all of the creatures they got to see. Riding the airboat was the best part! Here, we will list the best private swamp tours in New Orleans and the best airboat tours in New Orleans and touch on some other activities that are worth doing while you’re there. 

Traveling is what we do as a family. It’s so important to us to share what we learn along the way, and airboat tours are an adventure all their own. Here, we’ll make sure to list any restrictions that may keep you from enjoying the airboat tours and give alternate suggestions that are also great ways to spend your time while in New Orleans. 

We’ll also go over the length of each tour and ratings and have links to book each. Let’s dive into the list and look at the best airboat rides in New Orleans! 

Quick Guide: Airboat Tours in New Orleans

Airboat Tours in New Orleans

1. Small-Group Swamp Tour by Airboat with Downtown New Orleans Pickup

⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🕑 Tour Length: 2 Hours | Check Rates and Availability 

If you’re traveling with a small group, you’ve hit a jackpot tour. Almost 1,000 people have rated this tour, and it’s rarely rated lower than five stars. This airboat tour is a mix of speed and cruising. There will be opportunities to experience the adrenaline of going fast as well as the peace of floating near flora and fauna, crocodiles, and other creatures. 

Amazing experience! We learned a lot and had a once in a lifetime opportunity with our kids to pet an alligator or two.

– Collins (Read More Reviews)

These small boat tours will remain small – not allowing more than nine people per tour. If you’re looking for an intimate tour where the local guides can answer all your questions, this is the perfect one. A plus is that they pick up from any major hotel in downtown New Orleans. 

Side Note: There are restrictions on airboat tours – children under 48 inches tall and pregnant women are not allowed. If you need something to do while your group enjoys an airboat tour – check out these awesome Cemetery Tours in New Orleans. 

▶️ BOOK New Orleans Small-Group Swamp Tour by Airboat with Downtown New Orleans Pickup

2. New Orleans: High Speed 16 Passenger Airboat Ride

⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | 🕑 Tour Length: 100 minutes OR 4 hours | Check Rates and Availability

Out of the many airboat swamp tours – this one gives you options. For 100 minutes, you meet at a certain pickup spot and experience the High-Speed Airboat Tour from there. For only $20 more, you can choose the 4-hour option and get pick up/drop off to and from your hotel in New Orleans.

Many reviewers noted how knowledgeable the bus driver was from their hotel and noted it as one of the highlights of the tour. 

Captain Matt was great and the whole adventure was amazing. Seeing the canals and bayou and learning about the area. Plus ALLIGATORS! Highly recommend.

– Verified Traveler (Read More Reviews)

This airboat tour has stadium-style seating for an unobstructed view. The 16-passenger boat glides at high speeds through shallow areas where traditional boats cannot go – allowing you to view wildlife up close and personal. Don’t miss out on this highly-rated and popular airboat tour. 

▶️ BOOK New Orleans: High Speed 16 Passenger Airboat Ride

3. New Orleans Oak Alley Plantation & Airboat Swamp Combo Tour

⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | 🕑 Tour Length: 8.5 Hours | Check Rates and Availability

If you have a day to spare and want to do a little extra sightseeing, check out this tour. It isn’t only one of the best airboat adventures in New Orleans, it is also one of the best overall tours in New Orleans. 

This tour starts with hotel pickup and continues to a day tour of Oak Alley Plantation. The house includes Greek Revival Architecture, antique farm equipment exhibits, and 28 large oak trees. There is also a blacksmith and souvenir shop, and restaurant. 

We had a wonderful day. The guide was informative. He kept us entertained all day long. We enjoyed all the activities.

– Sue (Read More Reviews)

From the plantation, you’ll head to Barataria Basin for a guided airboat swamp tour. You’ll go at high speeds and slower speeds – allowing you to see all types of animals and vegetation. 

The plus of this tour is definitely the added bonus of being able to take in the local sights of a plantation while also fulfilling your dream of going on an airboat adventure. 

Keep in mind there are several plantation tours in New Orleans, but none quite as thrilling as an airboat adventure combo!

▶️ BOOK New Orleans Oak Alley Plantation & Airboat Swamp Tour Combo

4. New Orleans Airboat Ride

⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 🕑 Tour Length: 2 to 4 Hours | Check Rates and Availability

The reason we love this New Orleans Airboat Ride so much is the flexibility it offers. This tour gives you the option to choose either hotel round-trip transportation or self-transportation. Hotel pickup makes the tour last longer. You can also choose either a morning or afternoon tour – whichever works best for you.

With all of these options, this tour fits perfectly into your busy vacation schedule. Just the flexibility could make it one of the best airboat tours in Louisiana. 

I wasn’t to thrilled going I thought it was going to be boring and just see a big body of water but our tour guide was awesome and the ride was fun for my kids .

– Cindy (Read more Reviews)

This tour drives by the Mississippi River and explores the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. In the warmer months, you can expect to see alligators, egrets, turtles, and snakes, but in the cooler months, you could spot such things as deer, raccoons, and nutria. They also have indoor exhibits that showcase an albino alligator. 

▶️ BOOK New Orleans Airboat Ride

5. Airboat Ride With Round Trip Transportation From New Orleans

⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 🕑 Tour Length: 4 Hours | Check Rates and Availability

This Airboat tour, although not a small airboats group, does not exceed 25 travelers. This tour visits the edge of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and will take travelers to the town of Jean Lafitte – a notorious 19th-century pirate and privateer.

After being picked up from your French Quarter hotel, travelers have the opportunity to purchase snacks and beverages at Jean Lafitte before heading out on the airboat. 

Awesome experience. From start to finish!! We lost count of how many gators we saw. The guide was incredible and knowledgeable.

– Tiffany (Read More Reviews)

You’ll glimpse Cajun culture at its best in Jean Lafitte and then head out on one of the best airboat rides near New Orleans. You will spot creatures such as alligators, snakes, raccoons, and giant river rodents called nutria.

Enjoy the calm moments when the boat slows, and native tour guides possibly interact with some wildlife!

▶️ BOOK Airboat Ride With Round Trip Transportation From New Orleans

6. Small-Group Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans

⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 🕑 Tour Length: Approx. 9 Hours | Check Rates and Availability

If your budget is a bit larger, this Small-Group Airboat and Plantations Tour is worth it. Noted as one of the best swamp tours near New Orleans, this tour winds through two different plantations and includes an airboat swamp tour. Pickup is offered, although not required, and this small boat group tour is limited to 12. 

The tour goes to the Houmas House and Laura Plantation – two of the best-preserved plantations in Louisiana. This tour starts with a cypress swamp airboat tour and then goes on to Laura Plantation – an 1804 Creole Plantation.

Steve was a wonderful guide, full of so much history A great tour of history and a lot to see. Loved the buffet at Houmas House, a good sample of traditional foods

– Michelle (Read More Reviews)

There you’ll learn about the history of the plantation before heading to Houmas House – a 250-year-old plantation –  for an elegant lunch. After lunch, you’ll tour the Houmas House Plantation and experience the 38 acres of gardens surrounding it.  

▶️ BOOK Small-Group Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch From New Orleans 

Best Swamp Tours In New Orleans

7.  New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure

⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🕑 Tour Length: 2 Hours | Check Rates and Availability

If you’re looking for one of the best swamp tours in New Orleans, you’ve found it! Over 600 people have rated this New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure with five stars. This swamp boat tour is on a comfortable Swamp Tour Boat, which means that pregnant women and young children are allowed on board. 

We have gone on this tour before with our daughter, who was three at the time, so we weren’t eligible to go on an airboat ride, and we had a great time on this tour. We got to see the beautiful wetland area around New Orleans and saw lots of wildlife.

Steve was a wonderful guide, full of so much history A great tour of history and a lot to see. Loved the buffet at Houmas House, a good sample of traditional foods

– Patricia (Read More Reviews)

This swamp boat tour goes past a Cajun cemetery, an Indian burial mound, and an ancient fishing village. If you’re looking for history and beauty, this is the perfect tour for you. It’s one of the best-rated swamp tours near New Orleans.

▶️ BOOK New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure

 8. New Orleans Swamp And Bayou Boat Tour With Transportation

⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🕑 Tour Length: 2 Hours | Check Rates and Availability

This tour is held on a one-of-a-kind 22-passenger flat-bottom boat. It may be one of the best-rated swamp tours in New Orleans, which allows the opportunity to get closer to local wildlife than other typical airboat tours.

You may glimpse many different types of animals on this tour – alligators, raccoons, owls, wild boar, nutria, snakes, turtles, black bears, bald eagles, and other bird species – being just some of them.  

Our Captain, Pat, was so knowledgeable, which really made the trip enjoyable. Seeing the gators was amazing, the raccoons were adorable and the blue herons were beautiful. So much fun!

– Mary (Read More Reviews)

This tour departs from downtown New Orleans French Quarter – and explores Honey Island – a small Louisiana wildlife preserve. It also goes through one of the last protected wetlands in Louisiana, including a Cajun village.

Don’t miss out on this boat tour – different from typical New Orleans airboat swamp tours. The best part – pregnant and children can take part in this tour!

▶️ BOOK New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour With Transportation

9. New Orleans Zipline Swamp Tour

⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | 🕑 Tour Length: Approx 1 hour 15 mins | Check Rates and Availability

Experience a swamp tour in a completely different way, high above the air on a zipline! This is, without a doubt, one of the best swamp tours in New Orleans, given the new and different vantage point. This tour takes place at Maurepas Swamp near Lake Pontchartrain and is a great option, even for zipline beginners. 

That was so fun! A little out of the way from New Orleans, so make sure to arrange transportation, but so worth it! The staff was great, zip lines were fantastic, would totally recommend.

– Tammy (Read More Reviews)

All safety equipment and gear are included. If you’re up for an adventure, give this zipline swamp tour a try! It is a great adrenaline-filled adventure where you can view wildlife from a different angle. 

Note: Pickup is offered as an option, but you must call to set it up and add it to your package as an additional fee.

▶️ BOOK New Orleans Zipline Swamp Tour

Airboat Tour Restrictions

Airboats don’t allow people to ride who have back problems or who are pregnant. Also, children younger than five or shorter than 48 inches are not allowed to ride- check the fine print for the airboat tour you’re wanting to book.

As an alternative, try the swamp boat tours rather than an airboat tour. We have gone on the swamp boat tours at had a great time.

One suggestion is the New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour With Transportation. You can also visit cemeteries, ride a paddle-wheeler boat or go on a food tour. 

What to Expect on a New Orleans Swamp Tour 

On a New Orleans Swamp Tour, you can always expect to see some type of wildlife – whether it be a baby gator, other reptiles, or birds of many varieties. You will always learn interesting facts as well about history – Cajun or otherwise. 

How Long Do Airboat Tours in New Orleans Last

It really varies. They tend to last anywhere from about 1.5 hours to many. It also depends on if you have hotel pickup included – that always lengthens the time. There will be a time and tour that fits into your schedule. 

What to Wear on An Airboat Tour in New Orleans 

It’s always smart to wear clothes that you can get wet. It’s common on an airboat to get at least a little wet from the speed of the airboat. A hat and sunscreen in the Summer are always recommended.

If going in the colder months, make sure to wear a heavy coat and long pants. And don’t forget the bug spray!

Best Time for Swamp Tours in New Orleans 

It’s suggested that dawn and dusk are the best times to view exotic wildlife – especially alligators. But really, anytime that it is daylight is the best! We went on our tour in the early afternoon, and we saw lots of native wildlife during our airboat tour. 

FAQ: Best Airboat Tours in New Orleans 

What is a Swamp Tour in New Orleans?

A Louisiana swamp tour is different from a traditional airboat tour. Large airboats use a huge fan and motor to go at high speeds, whereas a swamp tour is done on a slower boat that is better for all ages and abilities.

Those who have bad backs, are pregnant, or have young children are usually allowed on swamp boat tours.

Whether you are riding a swamp tour boat or an airboat – both explore swamps. Swamps are marshy rivers that have all types of creatures and things to see. These tours take you on boats to see all types of creatures, including but not limited to alligators, crocodiles, osprey, and the like. Also, you may learn about ancient ruins and other historical sites. 

What Are the Best Airboat Tours in New Orleans? 

The top pick for us includes a classic plantation tour – if that’s in your budget – The Small-Group Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans. If you’re in the mood for something different, we suggest the New Orleans Zip Line Swamp Tour.

What Airboat Tours in New Orleans Are Good For Avoiding Crowds?

Any small group airboat tour is a great option for avoiding crowds. If you really want to avoid crowds – just bring your own people to fill the numbers for the small group tour!

Can Kids Go On an Airboat Swamp Tour?

No one under 48 inches is allowed on an airboat – some tours don’t allow children younger than 5 – make sure to check the fine print. Children can go on other boats other than airboats, though.

Check the tours under the Swamp Tours Header of this article for a swamp tour adventure such as the New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure – these don’t tend to have restrictions on ages, and they are some of the most fun ways to enjoy New Orleans with kids.

What Time of Day is Best For an Airboat Tour in New Orleans? 

If you want to glimpse animal life, obviously daytime tour times are better than night. It really depends on what you are wanting to see – but all tours boast of being able to see creatures at all times during daylight. If you’re really wanting to glimpse alligators specifically, dawn or dusk is best.

A day trip in November with cooler fall temperatures makes for a memorable experience in New Orleans.

How Much Do Airboat Rides Cost in New Orleans? 

They vary depending on tour length, what’s included in the private tour, and sometimes the tour company. From what we’ve seen, they tend to vary from about $35/person to $150/person.

Do You Tip Airboat Tours? 

It is suggested that if your knowledgeable guide/captain gives you good service, you tip them anywhere from 10-20% of the cost of the New Orleans airboat tour price. It’s a kind courtesy to those who really give a great experience.

What Are Other Things To Do Than Airboat Tours That Are Worth Visiting in New Orleans?

There are many other exciting things to do in New Orleans other than airboat tours. We have done many exciting things in New Orleans, such as cemetery tours, riding the Creole Queen or Steamboat Natchez, and exploring the French Quarter.

Conclusion: Best Airboat Tours in New Orleans

If you’re in New Orleans, an airboat or swamp boat tour should be at the top of your list. Our children absolutely love anything we do, including water, animals, and boats. This covers all three! Airboat tours are definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.