Louisiana Swamp Airboat Tour & Alligators
Glide across bayous at high speed, spotting alligators and native wildlife with an expert captain.
From$90/ person
Search all experiences
Discover what we've curated for you
Glide across bayous at high speed, spotting alligators and native wildlife with an expert captain.
Discover what we've curated for you
3 Hours & 45 Minutes
15 to 27 people
Airboat ride, expert guide, transport
Feel the rush of a large airboat as you skim over Louisiana’s bayous and marshes. Spot wild alligators, birds and other swamp creatures while a native captain shares colorful stories.
Minimum age is 5. Not recommended for pregnant travelers, guests with neck, back or heart problems, or wheelchair users. Tour runs rain or shine and you may get wet.
Q: What’s included in the tour?
A: Round-trip transportation, the airboat ride through the swamp and bayou, the commentary by a native guide, access to the live albino alligator exhibit, and viewing native wildlife.
Q: What’s not included or allowed?
A: Tips/gratuities, food and drinks (though snacks/beverages are available for purchase at the swamp), pets and non-service animals are not allowed, and the tour is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
Q: What should I wear or bring?
A: Wear comfortable casual attire suitable for weather and possible splashing. Sunglasses are recommended, and note that you may get wet. The tour runs rain or shine.
Q: Where can we park?
A: Parking is available in nearby French Quarter lots on Decatur Street and next to the dock. These lots are not owned or operated by the company and charge hourly or daily rates.
Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.
400 Toulouse St New Orleans, LA 70130 US
The Steamboat Natchez delivers an authentic slice of New Orleans culture, combining live jazz, Mississippi River views, and Creole cuisine on a genuine paddlewheel steamboat. When things click, guests rave about it being a trip highlight: the jazz bands get people energized, the Creole buffet impresses with fresh, high-quality dishes, and there's something undeniably magical about cruising at dusk with the city skyline as your backdrop. The calliope music adds charm, and many appreciate simply sitting down after walking all day around the city. The southern hospitality from staff gets consistent praise, and for those seeking a quintessential New Orleans experience, this checks all the boxes. However, operational hiccups can dampen the experience considerably. Boarding logistics appear inconsistent, with some guests reporting waits over an hour that cut into their reserved dinner times, creating a crowded, chaotic situation where people couldn't find deck seating. The actual cruise pace feels slow to some visitors, and extended periods without music or commentary leave gaps that make the shoreline views drag. Food service has its issues too: items running out before everyone gets seconds, cold dishes that should be warm, and confusing protocols about requesting refills. A few travelers found the whole experience fairly mundane, suggesting it's skippable if your New Orleans itinerary is packed. The consensus leans positive overall, but timing your visit and managing expectations about the relaxed pace will help determine if this classic riverboat experience is worth your time.
Wonderful jazz cruise on an authentic New Orleans steamer (though I believe the steam mechanism is superseded by electrical power). The paddle is very impressive, and mesmerising to lose yourself into for periods of time. The cruise is a perfect length of time, and leaves you well situated to make your way to Bourbon, Frenchmen or the hotel district as you depart. The boat took approximately 1 hour before departing, and we were inundated with interesting facts about the boat as we departed, before the band returned for a second ~1 hour long set. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the crew do not seem to prevent you from moving chairs around and sitting in paces that perhaps aren’t intended. The band were good, and broadcast throughout the ship, though there were some mixing issues at the start and only the sousaphone could be heard. Merely a minor teething issue. The sousaphone player gave us some notes as we were departing the boat which was a nice extra surprise. Overall a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend!
Max Rose
September 29, 2025
Wonderful jazz cruise on an authentic New Orleans steamer (though I believe the steam mechanism is superseded by electrical power). The paddle is very impressive, and mesmerising to lose yourself into for periods of time. The cruise is a perfect length of time, and leaves you well situated to make your way to Bourbon, Frenchmen or the hotel district as you depart. The boat took approximately 1 hour before departing, and we were inundated with interesting facts about the boat as we departed, before the band returned for a second ~1 hour long set. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the crew do not seem to prevent you from moving chairs around and sitting in paces that perhaps aren’t intended. The band were good, and broadcast throughout the ship, though there were some mixing issues at the start and only the sousaphone could be heard. Merely a minor teething issue. The sousaphone player gave us some notes as we were departing the boat which was a nice extra surprise. Overall a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend!
Max Rose
September 29, 2025