Pearl River Swamp Tours

Well after living in the south all my life I finally did a swamp tour with the kiddos and am here to report that even if you're a local you should consider a tour. It's entertaining and fun!It was raining when we arrived but they had raincoats for everyone and as soon as the threat of getting hit by a bolt of lightening passed off we went. The boats here are covered so getting beat down by the sun is not too much of an issue. Like I said it was raining when we went so the covered top protected us from getting drenched as well. We saw some gators almost immediately and that was pretty cool. They are almost tame out here and come to the boat when called to get a treat. We also enjoyed seeing lots of egrets and various other birds, a few racoons and lots of spiders and dragonflies.Our tour guide was very knowable and made a few corny jokes that the tourists and kids loved. We learned a lot about the ecosystem of the area. The tour lasted about 2 hours and was a great way to spend an afternoon. I highly recommend this tour!Tip-sit in the middle if possible. That's the best view and if you're at the very front or very back you'll get swamp water on you for sure.

While we had family visiting we decided to take this tour. The staff is really great! And even though it was hot as heck, we didn't get overheated at all. Great views, great tour guide, lots of fun! We used an online coupon, which I highly recommend. Had no issues at all with it. Don't hesitate to take this tour, absolutely worth it!

What a different way to spend some time while in New Orleans. You've eaten all the great N.O. cuisine, you've drank until you're heart's content. Now what? The swamp tour! Our tour guide was fun, "safe", and knowledgeable. I never thought I'd be so close to an alligator. It was scary yet thrilling and a great way to spend a few hours doing something different. In addition to the alligators, the tour guide gave interesting history about the land, animals, and vegetation. It's funny how the raccoons and boars also like marshmallows. I guess sugar really is universal. We came with a group of friends, but this is family friendly as well. Bring sunscreen and shades if it's hot. Be prepared for your hair to get taken by the wind once the boat starts zipping through the water. Don't be afraid to ask questions. This was entertaining and educational. Step out of your box and onto the river for a new experience.

Great experience while vacationing in New Orleans. I definitely recommend! We took a nice ride into the bayou where I was able to feed a raccoon marshmallows. We didn't see any gators but it was a great experience. We will go again on our next trip.

The Pearl River Swamp Tour is fantastic. More education, less show. Captain John was able to provide history and information about the ecology of the area. He really loves the river, swamp and bayou.We saw egrets, a few alligators, racoons (that are brown and blonde, not the black and white ones that come out at night in the SFV), turtles, snakes, and a wild pig on the regular tour. The alligators are just now coming out of winter hibernation. Once the weather is consistently warmer (70+ degrees), there will be more.What was also great was the fact that Captain John grew up on this river and swamp. He was able to tell about the foliage as well as the animals. For example, the Bald Cypress growing in the swamp is a member of the Redwood Family, which grows in the Sierra and along the coast of California, where we are from.When you are able to travel to New Orleans, be sure and schedule a trip with Pearl River Swamp Tours. Thank you Captain John!

I've actually been on a couple of swamp tours featuring alligators including one in the Everglades and let me tell you, this one blows all the others away!!! Not only do you get the excitement of being so close to gators and seeing them in their natural habitat, you gain a wealth of knowledge of the land, the water, the history of the area, all of the creatures that inhabit it, AND the plants and THEIR history too! If you're in the area and not sure which of the many tours to take, look no further! Even my 8 year old commented on how much we were learning compared to others on other tour boats nearby were! This is the one you want!! Our amazing captain taught us the difference between marshes and swamps. He showed us the destruction left from Katrina and told us about the laws regarding hurricane and flooding insurance. We even saw the only home on the bayou that is covered by that insurance because it's the appropriate 18ft off the ground! We passed many floating homes and a historic bridge. He taught us about Sassafras, Bay leaf and Cypress and let us touch and smell some. He taught us about ball cypress timber, how it doesn't decay and the tragic story of "The Senator", the biggest and oldest bald cypress in the world! He taught us about Cypress knee and Tupelo gum, and where the name "Spanish Moss" came from. We saw TONS of gators and watched quite a few of them jump up real close and grab the marshmallows which he explained do NOT interfere with their diets. We saw raccoons, snakes and egrets too. We arrived a bit early for our morning tour and they let us hop out on earlier boat which we appreciated. It's located about 35 minutes north of NOLA and they do provide hotel pick ups if necessary for an additional cost!Calling and booking was simple. We gave a card to hold our space but paid in person when we arrived. They go out our rain or shine as the boat is covered. Don't forget plenty of water and cash for tipping your guide! Ours was beyond fantastic!! Funny and intelligent! My 6 & 8 year olds had a blast and I felt very safe with them on the boat! We couldn't recommend this tour enough!!! INCREDIBLE!!!

We had an absolute blast at Pearl River Eco Tours. Captain Wade did a fantastic job of showing us around, and it was so evident that he really knew the ins and outs of the area. We saw raccoons, alligators, blue heron, osprey, wild boar and turtles of all kinds.We fed the animals, learned the differences between bayous, swamps, and rivers, learned about local trees, honey bees, and interesting facts about the bald cypress tree root systems.He was very scientific and thorough, and I felt like my kids and I had such a great experience while learning a lot about nature and the wildlife around the swamp. It was really an eye opening adventure and I have a newfound respect for the folks who live and make their living off the Pearl River.

Awesome experience! Captain John was very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw gators, raccoons, turtles, snakes, and hogs. Definitely recommend! The swamp and bayou are so peaceful and scenic.

This was a fantastic experience that I highly recommend when visiting Louisiana. If you're in New Orleans as I was, you have to make the time to get yourself out of town for even a day and take what's called a "swamp tour". It is so well worth it!Despite the address listed for this company, it's actually in a town called Slidell.We rented a car and drove out here but it looked like they were able to pick people up in a shuttle bus.Our guide was Captain Wade who grew up in the area. He explained to us that when he was a child his family sometimes lived in a house on the Pearl River where his dad was a nature photographer and generations of his family before that had lived off the land here.Capt. Wade learned his lessons well as we were treated to the wealth of his bayou knowledge while he steered us by pontoon into the most beautiful and primordial places along the length of the Pearl River.Once we were really "in" the swamp, I put my camera away as I didn't want to avert my eyes for a moment from what was before me. So the few photos I did take don't give you a real idea of the visual treat that is in store for you on Pearl River.We didn't see as many alligators as you would in the earlier fall, late spring and during the summer when the temperatures are much hotter but we did see some of those gorgeous creatures lurking about. They are just incredible!We saw loads of birds particularly blue heron. We were treated to all kinds of information about the trees and every other living and growing thing the swamp has to offer. It is such a gorgeous experience to travel down that river and through some of the most amazing territory I've seen.I also learned that if you can figure out how to build a dwelling in the swamp so that it touches no part of the land, the state of Louisiana will let you live there for free. There were a few examples of these places which are not for the faint of heart. Living out on the bayou is serious business since your closest neighbors are alligators, snakes and wild pigs.Sadly, we saw no wild pigs on this visit but I will definitely return for another visit in warmer weather (read: extremely hot) when all the swamp life is out and about much more readily.I learned a lot about the Spanish moss too which is which grows everywhere and is so otherworldly.It's vegetable "horsehair" and was often used in plaster, in mattresses and in furniture stuffing. It's a flowering plant that grows primarily on Bald Cypress and Southern Oak trees of which we also saw some incredible examples. Capt. Wade let us know that with the right kind of knowledge one could be provided for fully by what lives and grows on the bayou. Walk in naked and with nothing and you could do just fine. I like that.There are lots of these Swamp Tours advertised but I liked this one as it's a small very personal operation. Everyone involved was very friendly. The time spent was incredibly interesting, fun, and most educational. The more I learn about Louisiana the more I love and appreciate it.

Great tour. I have done tours with another company, and this was by far the best. Not just looking for animals, but learning about the way the ecosystem works. Highly recommend.