The Tastiest Boat Tours in New Orleans

The Mystic Ghost Ride

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"Mystic Molly is fantastic! She has really done her research on the area and makes the ride appealing to history buffs and those who like a little mystery and intrigue too. The boat ride is really beautiful. I was surprised by how the sunset on the bayou was so breathtaking. We saw a lot of birds, fish and crabs! The ride the night before saw several alligators but we weren't as lucky?? The boat is a pontoon boat - flat on the bottom and has a covering for shade. Easy to get on/off. Great for all ages. Your tour incudes a drink - beer, soda or water. An hour is the perfect amont of time. Do listen to the guidance to bring a light jacket and bug spray - we didn't really need because there was a nice warm breeze but I can see how both could have been a necessity."

2 Da Swamp

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Outstanding day out on the water with Clyde hearing about the cajun history and lifestyle present and past. We saw a gator up close, Eagles, and tons of water birds. I wanted a true experience not your touristy packed fast trip and it did not disappoint. Clyde really went above and beyond. If I am lucky to return to New Orleans, I will return."

Steamboat Natchez

★★★★☆ 3.7 (995)

"C'mon, you have to do this! It's the only steamboat experience down the ol Miss (only one powered by steam, that is). It's a little trip back in time and such a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. I've taken the same ride three times now and I imagine I'll do it again. It's just one of those quintessential "be a tourist in your home town" experiences.My family was recently in town and my father is 82, so all that walking can take its toll. He is in great shape, walked miles on some days, but he was happy for a more chill afternoon spent sitting at one of the tables that line the decks of the boat. The weather was perfect for us, but there's plenty of inside space should it be too hot (likely) or too cold. You do get a nice breeze out there.There's traditional New Orleans food available but I've been told it's not that good. There's nothing vegetarian, no less vegan, so I'd skip it anyway. Drink prices are fair enough. You're really here for the experience and probably want to get a decent lunch before or after rather than make it a lunch cruise.Pro tip: they want you to line up a half hour early but that's probably going to be out in the elements so just make sure you get there 15 minutes before the boat leaves and the line moves quickly once they start letting people in. I applaud the considerate, patient staff out there! It's great that they have a good amount of people working the line."

New Orleans Swamp Tours

★★★★☆ 3.7 (3)

"We had a great time on a tour of the swamp. Our captain was so knowledgeable and had so many interesting facts, I definitely left the swamps a lot smarter. It was so hot that day, make sure to bring a water bottle or you also have the option of purchasing at the local tour store. Absolutely recommend the experience when visiting New Orleans."

The Last Wilderness Swamp Tour

★★★★★ 4.9 (21)

"This tour was so much fun! Al was a great tour guide! He showed us a lot of LA's wildlife. We saw a baby gator!"

Airboat Swamp Tours of New Orleans

★★★★★ 4.7 (37)

"One of the best tours I've been.on. It was so easy...they pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the toursite in Lafitte. The ride itself is interesting and heartbreaking, through part torn apart by Hurricane Ida. The tour was informative, fun, upbeat and we were all able to hold and pet a live alligator. We saw several on the tour as well as an Eagle, Heron, Turtle and numerous birds. It was not a bumpy or wild ride, it was smooth and not to fast. I'd recommend this tour, and the photo package they offer. Its great fun!"

Nola Gondola

★★★★★ 5 (60)

"The most amazing experience in New Orleans! The gondola was absolutely beautiful, felt like I was back in Venice, Italy. Robert was truly amazing, we were late so he patiently waited, was helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and experienced. We were able to bring our own drinks aboard, he provided novelty glasses and provided some history of the area, and we played our own rnb soul music on a Bluetooth speaker. We got to write our names on the bridge and take great pictures! Thanks Robert for making our day special."

New Orleans Airboat Swamp Tours

★★★★★ 4.9 (7)

"Definitely my favorite activity on our New Orleans trip! Big thank you to Captain Matt for the giggles and the great time. Our entire group couldn't stop talking about what a great experience that was. 10/10 recommend booking with them for a swamp tour!!!"

New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours

★★★★★ 4.8 (284)

"Best time I've had in NOLA!! What joy to be out in the swamp with other nature enthusiasts. Ali was super knowledgeable about the area wildlife and plants and we even spotted an alligator or 5. My only critique is it could have been longer (though my butt felt that 2 hours was just enough). This is definitely on my list of must dos when visiting NOLA or any other city for that matter! Thanks for a super relaxing afternoon!"

Hidden Adventure Swamp & Plantation Tours

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Had a great time kayaking Manchac Swamp in April 2017. Unique experience and a must while in NOLA. We drove ourselves and while the directions are incredibly intimidating, "DON'T MISS THE EXIT!!!" I appreciate the level of detail and we found the spot with no problem. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable about the flora and fauna around us. He also knew about the landscape and environmental problems the area is facing. Lastly, the pace was appropriate for all levels of kayakers and allowed ample time to take in the beauty of the bayou. We had an experience of a lifetime and would highly recommend this company!"

La Vie New Orleans Private Tours

★★★★★ 4.8 (79)

"The WAY TO GO! We definitely and highly recommend Cyd & Benjamin. They made everything just easy and enjoyable. From the private air boat swamp tour to riding around the historic garden district. La Vie was referred by a friend who is a local and we will enjoy their company again soon I'm sure.Thank you both!J & J from Huntington Beach"

Beyond the Bayou Tours

★★★★★ 5 (25)

"This eco swamp tour far exceeded my expectations! Everything from the customer service to the pandemic-related safety protocols to the knowledge of the guides was top-notch.To answer the big question right off the bat - YES we saw several gators! We also spotted turtles and a ton of unique birds. One of the biggest things that sets Beyond the Bayou apart from "the other guys" is that it's meant to be as natural as possible - in turn, it's the most respectful of/safest for the animals and delicate environment. This company does NOT feed the gators to get them to come over - and you know what? You don't NEED to do that! This is where the gators live, you'll see them naturally! If you're looking for the trained gators experience, this isn't the tour for you...but this one is far superior!On top of seeing the wildlife, you'll be treated to an interesting educational experience. These guys know every tree, bend in the swamp, bird species, facts about the animals...you name it! The experience is approachable and you really gain so much from just listening and (literally) enjoying the ride.Also, I live in Arizona, a vastly different type of landscape, and I was completely surprised by how beautiful the swamp was - wow!Quit searching and book this tour! You won't regret it!"

Crescent City Tours & Transportation

★★★★☆ 4.3 (21)

"So I've been on a tour twice now with Crescent City tours, and both times I've had Brian as our driver. We're like family now haha.Listen, if you're looking for a combination tour, or a city tour I would highly recommend Crescent City tours. Pick up is easy.. as a matter of fact my hotel was not on their list, but Brian went out of his way to come get us at our hotel. He explains everything to all of his passengers regarding what to expect for the day. I did both plantation and airboat tour at the swamps. In between the tours he gives us a little time to grab something to eat at Oak Alley Plantation. He was also very punctual when it came to pick up times.Brian is very knowledgeable and even provides a lil history of the city on your way. I also love that they partner with Rajin Cajun swamp tours. It's a long day but so worth it.Next time I'm in town I plan on taking just their city tour. Thanks again for being such a great person host!"

Eco Tours New Orleans

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"Great tour of the Louisiana bayou! Got way more than we expexted! I recommend Eco-tours to anyone that wants to know what th he bayou is really like."

Airboat Tours By Arthur Matherne

★★★★★ 5 (255)

"Without a doubt one of the coolest experiences I've had since moving back to southern Louisiana. Went with my girlfriend and two close local friends, and had an absolute blast. We went out on a sunset tour, and our guide and driver, Chad, is a very skilled driver and extremely knowledgeable about the local area and wildlife. These pics don't do justice to the beauty of the area we toured. Would ABSOLUTELY recommend this company to anyone looking to tour the beauty of the southern Louisiana marshlands. Thanks again Chad, you made the experience memorable."

New Orleans Airboat Tours

★★★★★ 4.9 (471)

"I planned to do this tour a couple of years ago, but bad weather canceled those plans. This time I made sure to squeeze it in, and I am so glad I did. We rode one of the smaller fanboats, and the captain was entertaining and quite informative. We saw the alligators, up close, our guide feeding them marshmallows etc. This was expected, but the highlight for me was the explanation of the effects of climate change on the swamp. The thin, "floating" soil, how it moves with currents and hurricane swells, the assured eventual demise of the area as the Gulf claims more and more acreage, and the effect of habitat loss on the animals, was all very interesting. We made stops to see a bald eagle's nest, a spot where natural gas was bubbling up, and an abandoned structure damaged by hurricane. This was a great tour. We only saw alligators, lots of them, terns, bald eagles, and evidence of past gas drilling. The only thing I felt was missing were the trees and low hanging moss, the more mysterious visuals, often depicted in other advertisements for swamp tours. We were picked up at our hotel in NOLA, and arrived at the swamp site about 15 minutes later. It's easily doable in a few hour window."

McGee's Swamp Tours

★★★★★ 4.7 (30)

"Such an awesome experience!!! The swamp tour was loads of fun, educational, interesting, and so so cool! It was an hour and a half and about a 6.5 mile loop around the Atchafalaya Swamp. The guide was awesome and made such funny jokes. He seemed like he truly cared about the swamp and the alligators living in it. It was so cool to see him feed the gators and very cool to see them come to him when he called for them. I highly recommend this tour for everyone."

Swamp Tour New Orleans

★★★★★ 4.9 (8)

"This was way more fun than I had expected it to be. Saw five gators. Great experience all around."

Swamp Adventures

★★★★★ 4.7 (47)

"My mom and I did this tour as part of a package through Tours by Isabelle in April.SO. MUCH. FUN.You get a taste of the swamp, see the flora and fauna, have the air rushing through your hair as you fly down the water, and if you're brave hold an alligator chick. (Note, I was not brave but my mom was.)Rodney our driver and guide was funny and informative. He even stopped at one point and picked us a lily when he saw us pointing at them.The Airboat ride was exhilarating and I'd suggest wearing dark clothes because you may get a bit of splash on you... and well... remember... it is a swamp.They provide you with ear protection because the 454 engine is quite loud. But you make stops along the way to look at points of interest, birds, plants, trees, flowers.... alligators, so you can easily hear one another once the engine is off.The gators get CLOSE. So... be prepared to have them sidle right up to the boat. I'd suggest keeping all of your limbs IN the boat as you never know what they might want to chomp on.Note, I would totally do this again!Thank you, Rodney and Swamp Adventures for a great time!"

Gators and Ghosts A New Orleans Tour Company

★★★★★ 4.6 (209)

"Walking tours can be hit or miss. Sadly, this one was a miss for us. We booked online the night before the tour and immediately received an email "pre-confirmation" that let us know they received our request for a booking and would get back to us with a final confirmation. Shortly thereafter, we received a receipt for a partial payment and a confirmation. The email said we would pay the remaining balance-in cash-to our tour guide. Had I known that was going to be the arrangement, I would have booked another tour, as I do not wish to carry cash and we had to make arrangements to get enough cash the night before for our morning tour.Our confirmation email advised us to meet out tour guide outside of the Beachcorner Bar & Grill 20 minutes prior to departure. We were there and saw nobody else. Just before the tour was scheduled to begin, I texted the number on the email and learned that the departure address had changed and we headed over to meet the group. Annoying, but we made it in time.The tour guide is the person who can make or break an activity such as this. We purposely booked this one because it was more educational than scary-we also liked the shorter duration of 90 minutes. However, after two hours and only 2/3 of the way through, we bailed out early. I appreciated learning some facts about the cemeteries, burial traditions and some of the history. But the guide spoke to us in a condescending manner, calling out a few people and speaking in a way that made me uncomfortable. She was over dramatic and went off on unscripted tangents frequently. It was hard to follow her-she'd start into something that seemed promising but would go down another strange path. She would probably be a fantastic actor on a stage. The cemeteries themselves were amazing and we enjoyed learning a few facts. Depending on your guide, your experience may vary greatly."

Airboat Adventures

★★★★☆ 4.3 (835)

"This felt like another event that we had to do. We booked the small boat tour for 9:45Am. We enjoyed every minute of it! Our tour guide was great and very knowledgeable. Definitely recommend! Pro tip, it did start getting warmer towards the end of the tour, bring SPF protection, hats, lotion, mosquito repellent, water, etc.Alligators enjoy the warmer weather but just be mindful of temperatures prior to booking. We had to get the classic tour picture at the end."

LaBiche Swamp Tours

★★★★★ 4.8 (5)

"We booked through LaBiche by doing a simple google search. We were tickled by the hospitality we received, this bar is great and the owner went out of his way to make us feel welcome. Would recommend anyone comes here who wants to talk to some locals and get some Southern hospitality. Please request the "red snapper" shot. Delicious and a local favorite. Tony the owner is phenomenal. We love him. Enjoy your time in the swamp"

The Wharf on Bienvenue

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"I wish I could rate The Wharf beyond 5 stars. My friends and I waited here as we were waiting on our pedal boat tour. While waiting, the bartender (Matt) was more than accommodating. He attended to our needs and answered any questions we had. Everyone on the staff was extremely welcoming and made my friends feel special on their birthday. I highly recommend and will certainly be back again!"

Cajun Man's Swamp Tours and Adventures

★★★★★ 4.6 (24)

"Despite this being my first swamp tour I feel qualified after this tour to share a favorable review of our enjoyable experience on the "buy-oh" (bayou).The boat is large, stable and flat like a pontoon, easy to walk around and look out on all sides so you don't miss the views or wildlife. Comfortable seating and covered so you have both sunshine and shade. Captain Gaston is friendly, energetic, entertaining and knowledgeable. He talks you through local history, a wide variety of swamp wildlife and a few jokes too. He found us some gators (the main attraction for me), bald eagles, jumping fish, ducks and many other birds, plants, trees, Spanish Moss and a feel for the bayou. He called the gators by name. We fed some gators and he helped passengers feed the gators too. Mostly little kids fed the alligators but some adults too. He also let the little kids steer the boat some and seemed to make those kids feel important and special. They all had big smiles. This was a fine tour and worthwhile for sure."

Ragin Cajun Airboat Tours

★★★★★ 4.7 (108)

"Reasons to consider a swamp tour:You get to ride an airboat.You get to see alligators.Reasons to consider Ragin Cajun:They offer a problem-free Groupon experience.They have two friendly cats. Very short wait times for both the boat ride and the ride back.They claim to be the #1 operator.Comfortable a/c shuttle pick-up from hotel (or free parking).They are family-owned and operated. Luling is allegedly the closest Swamp to the city.The captains all have love for the customers, each other, their job, and the gators. Though they have a sign welcoming tips, they didn't beg for them or rattle a big jar in your face.Much more informative than I thought. Lil' Eric was awesome and looked like a mix of Anthony Jeselnik and Bowser from Sha Na Na.Notes: It's not as life-changing or exciting as I hoped, but it was fun, educational, and different. Nobody leaves thinking "that sucked". Front row is best, to be closest to any alligators popping their head up, for leg room, and for general visibility (especially point of view video), so talk up the captain and follow him to the boat. I think it might be more fun if they let people throw a marshmallow to an alligator. They could sell 6 for $5 and I bet people would pay. Cornhole might be a fun option. Especially if they painted alligators on the boards with open mouths and colored the bean bags white like marshmallows."

Adventures of Jean Lafitte

★★★★☆ 4.4 (8)

"Every year when I go down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, a swamp tour is definitely on the agenda. I didn't think I could find one as good as the first one I ever went on, but this one was just as great, if not a little bit better. I actually got the time of departure wrong, which meant I arrived very early. This gave me time to explore the gift shop. The people running this tour are super nice, very friendly. I got a stuffed alligator for my bunny, Lafitte and a super cute, wiggly crab magnet. They had something I'd never seen before--an albino alligator, whose name was Sugar. While it was super cool to see an animal so rare, the only thing that bothered me was that she was kept in a smallish pen indoors. I'm not saying she wasn't well cared for, and the lady at the cash seemed to absolutely love her, but I hoped that she got to go outside and swim free sometimes...have no idea if this happens. The waiting area for guests departing for the tours was very clean and well-kept. There are several picnic tables and a full bar with those awesome slushie drinks NOLA is famous for. I have to admit it's pretty awesome to have a margarita frozen drink at 10 AM. Only in NOLA! It was very yummy. Airboat Adventures has both airboat and the larger boat tours. I like the slow pace of the bigger boats, so that is the one I always book. I hate it, but I can't remember the name of our captain, and he was so funny and knowledgeable. I enjoyed his tour as much as the first one I took. The biggest difference between this tour and that other one was that this one felt much more out in the open, while the other was more enclosed by trees. One of my favourite parts was when we came out into a part of the water where we could see Lake Pontchartrain. I love this body of water and drove across it for more than 20 miles to get into the city every day.The day I got to do this tour was also very warm, especially for February. I've never seen so many alligators on a tour. They were literally everywhere. Even our guide was surprised by how many were out. One alligator followed our boat for a very long while. We were cautioned not to reach outside the boat. When I saw the gator jump to get the marshmallow on a stick our guide offered, I could see why. They can jump much farther out of the water than one might imagine, and those jaws are lethal. We also got to see different species of birds and learned that Spanish moss is loaded with a crapton of parasites...like over 100 different organisms. We heard stories about Hurricane Ida and how these poor people's home insurance has jumped to $10K a year for some, so sad. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and very funny, and of course, we got to hear some of that awesome cajun music. There was even a very beautiful cemetery along the route. I definitely recommend this tour. I learned a lot and saw an amazing amount of wildlife. The views are spectacular and peaceful as well, and my cocktail was delicious. I usually switch up the tour I do every year, but I want to go on this one again in 2023."

Happiness Bayou Tours

★★★★★ 4.9 (46)

"If I could give more stars I would! First trip to NO and had the best time! Everything you'd want and more! Cap'n George has the the best info/stories. Not your generic tour guide, true life guy who lives and loves his home! Real gem, his wife Samantha! The smile and sweet accent! Have food people, SO Good!"

Bayou Swamp Tours

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (84)

"I was a little hesitant to book a tour here because of the bad reviews, but I figured I'd give 'em a try. Someone suggested I go to Groupon, so that's exactly what I did and ended up saving a few bucks. I made the phone call and made reservations for a party of 4. Located about half hour away from the city center, part of the tour is getting picked up at our hotel. Joe, our driver, was mindful about letting me know where he was so we're better prepared. He came right on time! After a few more rounds of picking up more tourists, we were well on our way. Joe was incredibly entertaining - he basically gave us a tour of every street we drove through: fun facts about cemeteries, pointed out a few famous people's homes, recommended many eateries, etc. He even pointed out a few things while we were on the highway. Really learned a lot during that drive! We arrived about 15 minutes before our boat ride, so we got to take a good look at their shop. Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike) are allowed on the boat, so Big Bro and Hubbers got a few brews. We were given tickets once our names got called and crossed off on the list. We ended up with Captain Dan who gave us a few safety musts before boarding the boat. Like Joe, Captain Dan was pretty knowledgeable about the swamp. Learned a lot - there aren't just alligators living here - there are also raccoons and wild pigs, to name a couple. Captain Dan got us close enough to both and we watched him give 'em treats, which was cool! He also had a pet baby alligator on board which we got to hold (for photo ops.) Sorta gives you an idea what their skin/scale texture is like. It was a baby, and I imagine it has experienced tourists holding him, so it was pretty calm the whole time. Captain Dan tossed a lot of marshmallows to many of us to toss to the gators in the water. It was entertaining watching them gobble it up! We returned with plenty of time for last minute shopping at their shop. Joe was mindful of making sure he had all his passengers back - we had the choice to be dropped off at our hotel or the French Market (where the original Cafe du Monde stands.) We chose the latter. And just the same, he gave us another "tour" of sorts on our way back. TIP: Check Groupon for savings! I guess I'm one of few who lucked out and had a perfect experience. It was fun and incredibly educational. I would highly recommend this tour!"

Guided Canoe Tours

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"As a newb river and canoeing enthusiast, I was impressed by BD's easygoing and helpful demeanor, vast knowledge of the landscape, safety first attitude, professionalism, preparedness, and desire to connect us to nature. This is perfect for people who want to really get away from everything for a few days -- no cell reception out there, btw -- and don't mind putting in a little physical effort to get there."

New Orleans Pedal Barge

★★★★★ 4.7 (73)

"Death til us PARTYYY! Here we go for a New Orleans Bachelorette!!We thought we would have our own boat but we were grouped up with 2 other parties! Actually they moved our group to the boat since they had a bachelorette and a birthday celebration so glad they did cause the other boat was not the bachelorette vibe. We were pretty hung over from the night before but we all RALLIED! Especially seeing how the other 2 groups were having fun. They definitely were a fun a vibe! We were able to actually see a crocodile!! They stopped and we were able to capture a glimpse of it before it went underwater. It was a fun boat trip. We brought our own drinks and snacks. They had a Bluetooth speaker they anyone can hook up to it. Very entertaining"

Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour

★★★★★ 4.6 (568)

"The location is about a 30 minute drive from the French Quarter in New Orleans. They have transportation for an extra fee but we called and they told us it was only on the weekends. We checked rideshare apps and they were pretty pricey so we decided to rent a car and drive there ourselves. Fortunately they have free parking on the premises.We took the 10am tour with Captain Brent who talked to our group through the land and the history. He told us that Hurricane Ida damaged a lot of the trees and the land, where part of it was part of the Jean Lafitte National Park. During our tour we saw different species like bald eagles, owls, vultures, and turtles. Of course, we also saw alligators and Brent knew where to go for a higher probability of seeing some. Because we went in January when it's cold, there weren't as many. Brent told us that March and April are the best times because the weather is warmer and they are everywhere. Personally I wasn't good at finding alligators so we were grateful that others were on the boat because they were much better.The tour took a total of 90 minutes which was more than enough time to see our fair share. This was a unique experience that I had never done before and we had a lot of fun!"

Pirate Venture

★★★★☆ 4 (8)

"Our review is long overdue. Last October, Brent took my partner and I out on an adventure we will always remember. We had a blast touring around the bayou in his boat and finished with a delicious Louisiana feast of crab, shrimp, and vegetables. He worked our tour around the inclement weather brought on by Hurricane Zeta. Brent is the real deal, and a must-experience."