7 Finest Swamp Excursions in New Orleans in 2023

There are tons of enjoyable issues to do in New Orleans, however there are additionally loads of nice choices for day journeys outdoors of town. When you’re there, you should definitely take a look at a swamp tour in New Orleans. 

For the reason that metropolis is situated within the Mississippi Delta, it doesn’t take too lengthy to get to a swamp from NOLA. Actually, many individuals add a swamp tour to their itinerary even when they’ve simply 3 days in New Orleans. 

In simply half-hour, you’ll find your self out within the Bayou surrounded by gators. Who is aware of — possibly you’ll even spot the elusive Honey Island Swamp Monster!

There are a number of totally different choices to select from for visiting a New Orleans swamp. On this information, we’ll take a better take a look at these swamp excursions and I’ll provide you with some suggestions for the most effective firms to go together with. I completely liked my journey to New Orleans and I’m certain you’ll too!

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What to Anticipate on a New Orleans Swamp Tour

To begin with, let’s discuss the place a swamp tour in New Orleans usually goes, what you may anticipate to see, and reply some generally requested questions.

How Far are the Swamps from New Orleans?

The New Orleans swamps are reached in simply 30 – 45 minutes from the French Quarter.

Some excursions head north of town to the Honey Island Swamp, some go south to the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park and Protect, and others head west to Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Administration Space.

What Varieties of Swamp Excursions are There?

The preferred swamp excursions in New Orleans are by boat.

There are massive pontoon swamp boats, that are most likely the preferred alternative. In case you want a bit extra pleasure, you may go on an airboat as an alternative.

Or maybe you’d fairly benefit from the swamp at a leisurely tempo and paddle your self round in a canoe or kayak (preserve your arms contained in the boat!).

Whichever sort of tour you select, you’ll get to discover the swamp and study all concerning the atmosphere out of your educated information. (I’ve listed extra details about the several types of Bayou swamp excursions under.) 

What Animals Will You See on a Swamp Tour?

A significant spotlight of a swamp tour in New Orleans is getting up shut and private with the creatures of the swamp, resembling wild boars, egrets, herons, turtles, and alligators. 

Throughout the fall and winter months, many cold-blooded animals hibernate. In case you’re actually hoping to see alligators in your swamp tour in New Orleans, you must attempt to go to town in spring or summer time.

Some tour operators say they will nonetheless discover alligators in winter, however there’s no assure. 

How Lengthy is a Swamp Tour in New Orleans?

Swamp excursions usually happen throughout the day and final round 2 hours. There are extra excursions at night time on weekends in the summertime months as properly.

When reserving a swamp tour in New Orleans, you normally have the choice of getting your self there or including a pick-up service from your lodging for a further charge.

What’s The Finest Time to Do a Swamp Tour?

You may go to the swamp year-round. Nonetheless, the most effective time to do a swamp tour is within the fall when the climate is cooler, the foliage is gorgeous, there are fewer mosquitos, and plenty of animals are round!

Throughout the summer time months, the climate is sizzling, humid, and sticky — plus, there are lots of mosquitos. BUT, the entire wildlife shall be out and also you’ll simply spot gators, birds, turtles, and snakes.

In springtime, the climate shall be nice with numerous flowers in bloom. Many of the wildlife shall be out and there shall be fewer mosquitos than in summer time.

You may truly be part of a swamp tour in New Orleans within the winter months as properly. Throughout this time, there shall be so much much less foliage and since alligators like the hotter climate, they are going to be tougher to identify.

Nonetheless, you’ll be capable to see deer, nutria, otters, minks, and birds. Be sure to decorate warmly this time of yr if becoming a member of an airboat swamp tour.

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What to Put on and Deliver On a Swamp Tour

In case you’re questioning what to put on on a swamp tour in New Orleans, all of it will depend on the climate forecast and which kind of tour you’re occurring.

You need to all the time carry a poncho or raincoat, as there’s a superb likelihood you’ll get somewhat moist on the market.

On a sizzling and sunny day, you’ll positively need to put on comfy garments like a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. Be sure to drink loads of water.

Don’t neglect to pack some sunscreen, sun shades, and a hat as properly. It’s not a foul thought to pack a light-weight jacket, both, particularly if you happen to’re occurring an airboat tour.

Within the winter months, you must put on pants and convey a thicker jacket. Usually, it’s a good suggestion to put on gentle clothes and simply placed on just a few layers if it’s a bit colder. 

Whichever sort of tour you go on, carry alongside some bug spray. There are positively bugs within the New Orleans swamp and also you don’t need them ruining your tour!

You’ll most likely need to doc this superior expertise, however make sure that your machine is protected. Which means taking some form of waterproof bag in your telephone or simply bringing a water-resistant digital camera with you.

One factor you must positively go away behind is any costly jewellery. In case you drop it within the swamp there’s a superb likelihood that you simply’re not going to search out it.

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Tips on how to See the Swamp (Varieties of Excursions)

Now that you already know a bit about what to anticipate, let’s check out the totally different sorts of swamp excursions in New Orleans which you can select from:

1. By Swamp Boat

Taking a swamp boat tour is a traditional Louisiana expertise. That is a straightforward and inexpensive choice for a swamp tour in New Orleans. It’s attainable to rearrange a ship tour that features lodge pick-up for round $40 (click on right here for particulars). 

Most swamp boats maintain between 20-30 individuals. A variety of the businesses even have smaller boats that they use for personal swamp excursions, however these are clearly a bit costlier.

They transfer by way of the swamp at a leisurely tempo, which is nice for wildlife recognizing. Alongside the best way, you’ll study all concerning the atmosphere and its inhabitants out of your information. 

2. By Airboat

In case you’re seeking a extra exhilarating journey, you may go for an airboat swamp tour in New Orleans. These boats are propelled by an enormous fan on the again and so they can get cruising over 35 mph (53km)! 

Along with larger speeds, the airboats may also entry areas of the swamp the place the standard boats can’t. Due to their smaller dimension, they will enterprise deeper into the swamp. 

Airboats normally seat between 10-15 individuals. Taking an airboat tour with lodge pick-up usually runs about $75. You even have the choice of paying a bit extra to go on a smaller boat. Click on right here for extra particulars.

Whereas these excursions are positively a variety of enjoyable, they’re not really helpful for everybody. Pregnant girls and really younger youngsters shouldn’t go on airboat excursions. It’s additionally not a good suggestion when you’ve got any again or neck points.

3. By Canoe/Kayak

A terrific choice for taking a swamp tour in New Orleans whereas getting some train is by paddling a canoe or kayak. This lets you get deeper into the swamps and bayous than any of the boat excursions.

Canoe and kayak excursions usually have between 2-10 individuals. These enjoyable excursions of the New Orleans swamp normally run 2-3 hours and are each enjoyable and academic. You’ll must be comparatively match and be able to rise up shut with the animals!

Occurring a canoe or kayak tour prices a bit greater than going by swamp boat, however lower than the airboat. The expertise may be very peaceable and is an effective way to have a extra private expertise. Typical costs are round $75 per particular person. Discover out extra right here.

4. Going Climbing

If in case you have your individual wheels, you may all the time discover the swampland round New Orleans on foot. Simply head to the Barataria Protect that’s situated within the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park and Protect. 

There’s a Customer Middle on the protect the place you may take a look at an exhibit concerning the swamp and decide up a map to go on a self-guided tour. You may learn all concerning the totally different path choices on their web site.

In addition they have free strolling excursions given by a ranger at 10 AM from Wednesday to Sunday. That is the right choice for these wanting to slot in a swamp tour in New Orleans on a price range.

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5. Ziplining

A extra distinctive and exhilarating option to discover the swamp is to be part of a ziplining tour. You’ll be suspended above the swamp whereas admiring the animals and the panoramic views.

You’ll get to zip alongside 5 totally different strains and cross 2 suspension bridges. Plus, you’ll be studying concerning the swamp out of your information, with an opportunity to identify turtles, alligators, boar, snakes, deer, raccoons, opossums, armadillos, and birds resembling egrets and herons.

That is an adventurous option to see the New Orleans swamp! Click on right here for extra particulars.

• Firm: Louisiana Tour Firm
• Ranking: 4.8/5
• Value: Airboat Tour $65
• Tour occasions: 9:40, 12:10, 2:10, & 4:15 (Seasonal)
• Tips on how to guide: On-line 
• Assembly Level: 9706 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA. Get instructions.

Lousiana Tour Firm is a top-recommended firm in NOLA. In case you’re seeking to go on a fantastic swamp tour in New Orleans, they’ve acquired you coated with each swamp and airboat excursions. Louisiana Tour Firm additionally provides a small group airboat tour which is nice. 

Their excursions function out of Marrero, which is only a 35-minute drive from the French Quarter. 

Simply throughout from their dock is a 200-year-old cemetery that’s situated round an historical Native American burial mound. You’ll positively hear some fascinating tales concerning the space if you happen to join a New Orleans swamp tour with them.

Discover out extra concerning the enjoyable airboat excursions on provide, and guide your spot, right here.

2. Airboat and Oak Alley Plantation

• Firm: Louisiana Tour Firm
• Ranking: 4.7/5
• Value: Airboat Tour and Oak Alley Plantation $150. Resort pickup/drop off is included
• Tour occasions: 8:15am
• Tips on how to guide: On-line 
• Assembly Level: 9706 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA. Get instructions.

Spend a full day trip of town on this combo tour which incorporates each a high-speed airboat tour within the Barataria Basin, plus a go to to the Oak Alley Plantation.

Take pleasure in a tour of the plantation residence by native guides, whereas studying concerning the occasions of slavery. Wander across the residence and discover the large grounds – residence to twenty-eight large oak bushes (therefore the title of the plantation). There’s additionally a blacksmith store and a restaurant onsite as properly.

Within the swamplands, you’ll velocity by way of the marshes on the airboat, however you’ll decelerate to you may correctly spot wildlife and benefit from the pure great thing about the world.

This mixture tour is a good day journey from New Orleans. Click on right here to study extra and guide your airboat and Oak Alley ticket.

3. Manchac Swamp Pontoon Boat Tour

• Firm: Cajan Pleasure Swamp Excursions
• Ranking: 4.7/5
• Value: Swamp boat $27 for adults with pick-up service
• Tour occasions: 9:30, 12:00, 2:15 year-round; 4:15 from March 1 to October 1
• Tips on how to guide: On-line 
• Assembly Place: 110 Frenier Rd, Laplace, LA 70068, USA. Get instructions.

In case you’d fairly cruise down the swamp at a extra leisurely tempo (fairly than zipping by on an airboat), take a look at this tour which is aboard a pontoon boat (swamp boat).

If you wish to study the distinction between crocodiles, alligators, and caymans, ensure to enroll in a swamp tour in New Orleans with Cajun Pleasure! Their guides are knowledgable and humorous, which solely provides to the expertise.

One factor that units these guys other than different New Orleans swamp excursions is that they really have their very own non-public swamp (Manchac Swamp). The wildlife is protected right here so the animals aren’t shy. 

You actually can’t go improper with this tour because it’s nice worth for cash! To study extra concerning the $27 tour with Cajan Pleasure (and to guide tickets), click on right here.

4. Kayak Excursions of the Swamp

• Firms: NOLA Kayak Swamp Excursions and Wild Louisiana Excursions
• Value: Round $75

You’ll must be considerably match for this kind of NOLA swamp tour, however it’s a variety of enjoyable. Paddle your method by way of the swamp and rise up near the wildlife (preserve your arms contained in the boat!).

The two-3 hour leisurely paddle is a straightforward one that everybody can get pleasure from. With the slow-moving bayou, it’s a calming kayak journey stuffed with info, nature, and wildlife. No expertise is important.

This can be a distinctive option to discover the swamp. Kayak excursions can be found round Manchac Swamp and Honey Island. Take a look on the excursions out there with New Orleans Kayak Swamp Excursions and Wild Louisiana Excursions.

5. Honey Island Swamp Tour

• Firm: Honey Island Swamp Excursions
• Ranking: 5/5
• Value: $29, or $58 with pickup/drop off out of your lodge
• Tour occasions: 9:00, 11:30 and a couple of:00pm
• Tips on how to guide: On-line
• Assembly Level Location: 41490 Crawford Touchdown Rd, Slidell, LA 70461, USA. Get instructions.

Hop aboard a small swamp boat and cruise by way of the wetlands of Honey Island Swamp. This protected nature reserve is situated north of New Orleans on the shores of Lake Ponchartrain.

Throughout the 2-hour tour, you’ll encounter egrets, herons, otters, alligators and extra. You’ll move by conventional Cajun villages whereas listening to native tales of fishermen and swamp pirates…

A go to to the Honey Island Swamp is likely one of the finest issues to do in New Orleans and makes for a enjoyable couple of hours. Click on right here to study extra and guide your spot. In case you want return transport, click on right here for that tour.

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6. Airboat Adventures at Jean Lafitte

• Ranking: 4.8/5
• Value: Giant boat $59; Small boat $89. $30 additional for round-trip transport
• Tour occasions: 9:45, 12:00 and a couple of:00 (year-round), 4:00 & 6:00pm (seasonal)
• Tips on how to guide: On-line or by telephone at 504-689-2005
• Assembly Level: 5145 Fleming Park Rd, Lafitte, LA 70067, United States. Get instructions.

Relating to airboat swamp excursions in New Orleans, Airboat Adventures is certainly top-of-the-line selections. They’re situated simply minutes from the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park and Protect so that you may be out within the swamp in beneath an hour from town heart.

Their small boats maintain 6-8 passengers whereas the bigger ones can match 15-30. The additional price for a small boat tour is value it for a extra up shut and private expertise and the flexibility to entry hard-to-reach areas within the swamp. 

Earlier than you embark on their tour, you may calm down of their good air-conditioned constructing that has a present store together with drinks and snacks for buy. Benefit from the views from their out of doors patio, and you should definitely meet Sugar — their uncommon albino alligator! Click on right here to guide this airboat journey.

7. Go Ziplining By means of the Maurepas Swamp

• Firm: Zip NOLA
• Ranking: 4.9/5
• Value: $89
• Tips on how to guide: On-line
• Assembly Level: 301 Peavine Rd, Laplace, LA 70068, United States. Get instructions.

This needs to be one of many coolest swamp excursions in New Orleans! Hook your self in and zip throughout 5 totally different strains whereas dangling over the Maurepas swamp.

After getting conversant in your gear and a security briefing, you’ll begin the journey from a 60-foot excessive platform. Take a look at the superb views of the swamp, Lake Ponchartrain, the city of Frenier and the New Orleans skyline.

You’ll have an opportunity to identify numerous wildlife as properly, together with alligators, deer, boar, armadillos, snakes, egrets, and extra. Take a look at this ziplining tour and guide your spot.  

In Conclusion

As you may see, there are many improbable choices for taking a swamp tour in New Orleans. Whether or not you resolve to paddle your self round in a kayak, hop on a swamp boat with an enormous group, or zip by way of the bayou on an airboat, you’re certain to have a fantastic expertise.

In case you’re heading to Crescent Metropolis, you should definitely add a swamp tour to your checklist of issues to do! It’s enjoyable partying on Bourbon Avenue and all, however it’s even higher after a day of exploring the swamp and studying about all of the superb wildlife that calls it residence.

So, are New Orleans swamp excursions value it? Completely! The worth for cash is superb and the expertise is one you gained’t neglect.

Some photos on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.

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