Louisiana Lost Lands Environmental Tours, L3C

Wow, I cannot recommend this tour enough! The presentation at the beginning was very informative, clearly explaining how the confluence of geography, colonial history, and climate change have endangered the bayou. The guide, Clyde, was a whiz at answering my interminable questions, and his passion for the subject shows. The supplies were thoughtful but barebones (let them know if you have a peanut allergy, sandwiches provided were peanut butter and, I think, peach jam, very nice)This is a very science based tour, respectful of wildlife and the impact of tourism on the ecosystem. I learned a lot!

One of the most transformative experiences of my life. Have you seen the scene in the Bayou in the Notebook? That was staged. This is real and better. Kayaking through heaven with wonderful guides and an educational explanation ahead of time.

What a wonderful experience! John, our guide, was very knowledgeable and the kayaking tour was one of the highlights of our entire stay in New Orleans. Having the opportunity to learn about Louisiana's environmental problems before the tour really put the beautiful views into context.I would highly recommend doing this, and I'd be very happy to go again next time we're in town.

We had the great pleasure and good fortune of finding Louisiana Lost Lands Environmental Tours on our New Orleans vacation last October. We had our guide, Marie, all to ourselves and had a truly splendid day. Starting with an educational presentation about the history of the waters and land of Louisiana, the threats and hopes of it's fragile future, we embarked on a kayaking tour of an amazing swamp and, ultimately out the opening of a huge lake. It was spectacular. A photographers dream. Many birds. We were there just after alligator season so the reptiles were hidden. Just as well really, so much else to see.Marie is part owner of the company, a long time resident of New Orleans, survivor of Katrina, knowledgable naturalist, and a passionate environmentalist. We enjoyed her perspectives and wisdom on the bayou and Louisiana. It is helpful if you've kayaked before but not necessary. It is a physical experience, but not extremely strenuous. We are two men over 50 had no problem. A simple peanut butter sandwich lunch with snacks and beverages was provided -- perfect energy and sustenance. We enjoyed helping unload kayaks off the trailer when we arrived at our destination. It was just the tree of us, Marie, my partner and I. The intimacy of this small group made for an unparalleled adventure, happy to have paid more for a small group. We were so grateful to have stumbled upon this experience, felt like we made new friends, and will never forget it.Bottom line: If you're in reasonable physical shape, and are ready to go deep into the history and ecosystem of Louisiana's magnificent bayous, seek out this experience. You won't be disappointed.

After extensive research my girlfriend and I chose to go with Lost Lands for our swamp tour. We were not disappointed! Not only is it amazing to see the local natural environment from such an up-close and personal perspective on kayak, but the guide we had (Chris) was so incredibly knowledgeable about the animals, the trees and had the sharpest eyes in pointing out the wildlife all around us. If choosing this company you should know that the tour begins at a house about 15 minutes from the French Quarter where you are educated about how the history of how these swamps form as well as the general natural habitats in the area. There were only 6 people when we went out on the swamp so they really keep groups pretty small. I think 10 is the max. Anyway, we were lucky enough to have Bob giving us the 45 minute presentation. He is a local writer and journalist who won a Pulitzer Prize for his work. Not every day you have a person this accomplished in the field as your presenter. The whole thing was about 4 hours so you should make some time for this in your itinerary. The whole thing was absolutely breathe-taking! You can't see the swamp like this if you go out on a hovercraft or on a large boat. Kayaking really gives you a better appreciation for this type of natural habitat. We definitely saw alligators but from afar (about 10-20 yards). My girlfriend was a first timer on kayak and she did fine. The gators won't come near you they actually spoo pretty easy. If you want to feed marshmallows to alligators you should try a different company. This company actually cares about the environment and gives you a sense of what the lost lands are and the significance of this to the area. At the end of the day, we chose Lost Lands because we wanted to really learn something about New Orleans that was off the beaten path. We were extremely satisfied with the service and tour itself. 5 stars all the way!

My wife and I visited New Orleans in November 2015. Both of us are nature buffs and we wanted a genuine bayou wildlife tour. Neither of us was looking for something involving an amphibious boat that holds 20+ tourists, each provided with a bag of marshmallows for the gators! Oh yeah, and something without the souvenir stand selling plastic alligators and small bottles of hot sauce.What we found on Yelp was Lost Lands Environmental tours and it was perfect. Their forays into the bayou are done in small groups using kayaks. Our group consisted of 3 guests and one guide, Katya...she deftly led us thru a swampy water trail for about 2+ hours. The place was teeming with birds, turtles, plants and one little gator who came out to catch some sun on a log. Because they don't feed gators with sugary jet puffed marshmallows, its more likely that these creatures will see you but you won't see them...given their shy nature. Thank god because I was in no mood to "wrastle" that day. Most amazing was the pleasure of seeing several large barred owls up close hooting their way thru the swamp along with a few piliated woodpeckers. Rare sights indeed!...Katyas narrative along the way was perfect and she new just how to balance it with silence when appropriate. She was also extremely knowledgable about the environment...and some great tips for places to eat in New Orleans neighborhoods where the locals eat!Tours begin at their office which is in a residential area where you are shown a brief presentation regarding the bayous and the mississipi delta and how work is being done to restore these diminishing bayous that are crucial to the louisiana coast (thus lost lands). It's very good ... the owner Marie Gould and her husband Bob are Pulitzer prize winning writers who are working to save / restore these beautiful "lost lands"....If you like nature and an on the ground tour that involves exercise paddling and helping to launch the kayaks...you'll loves this. All equipment was in A1 condition!

I am so happy that from all the research to find a guide for our bayou experience I selected Lost Lands. First of all, it draws a realistic picture of today's environmental state of the bayous and in general New Orleans - raising awareness is a noble mission. Then we were very lucky to have an intimate tour as it was only me, my husband and our brilliant host, John. It was a pleasure to philosophize with John immersed in this beautiful environment. We were paddling through the bayou in Maurepas Swamp all the way to the Bald Eagle's nest. As for wildlife, we were escorted by the sounds of cicadas, bullfrogs and cricket frogs and we did see an alligator despite the heat of July. We also saw White Egrets, one Barred Owl, one Pileated Woodpecker and many other birds. A truly cherished experience all around!

I was admittedly a little nervous to go kayaking with alligators, but I absolutely loved my experience with Lost Land Tours. The guide was very knowledgable, and the scenery was gorgeous. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a more unique (and challenging) alternative to your typical swamp tour.

Very relaxing and informative tour. They accomodated all our special requests. Just a short drive from the city and we were in another wonderland kayaking through the bayou to the lake in a quiet and environmentally responsible way. It really was spectacular! We saw some gators, turtles, flowers, hoardes of birds, and really enjoyed the landscape. Lindsay thought of everything with our comfort and we very much enjoyed her company.

If you are looking for an amazing getaway from the noise and clutter of City Life, if you want to get fresh air and be, be in the midst of some of the best of natural habitat, you have found it! These guys provide background educational information about Louisiana's treasured and habitat. In-depth look into how our land has been being decimated by the progress of humans. Being in a kayak immerses you smack in the middle of learning to appreciate how fragile is our planet and the urgency of putting the brakes on the destruction. Kayaking is something of a Zen experience and doesn't require any great skill nor must one be an exercise nut. You will be aw-filled seeing unexpected wildlife on the wing or swimming around. We saw Mississippi Kites, Swallowtail Kites, Prothonotaries, Redwing Blackbirds, Barred Owls, 'Gators, Turtle, snakes, and a wide variety of plant life. Just Do It!