Paddle through historic Manchac swamp and glimpse ghost-town scenery on a guided 2-hour bayou adventure
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2 hrs
Guide, Kayak, Paddle
Glide by kayak through the slow-moving bayous of the Manchac swamp, once home to the ghost town of Ruddock. Follow your guide to spot wildlife and hear stories of early New Orleans explorers on a two-hour paddling adventure.
Wear sun protection and arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled start time if you are driving yourself.
Full payment is required to reserve. Cancel more than 48 hours before the tour for a 100% refund, or 24–48 hours before for a 50% refund. No refund is issued for cancellations within 24 hours or no-shows. Tours may be cancelled with a full refund if hazardous weather poses a safety risk; tours operate in normal rain.
The tour lasts about 2 to 3 hours.
Very little experience is needed since the bayou is slow moving.
Yes. A shuttle is available for $25 per person.
732 N Rampart St.
This kayak tour delivers exactly what travelers hope for when they picture gliding through Louisiana's swamps. The guides here are the real deal – locals like Al, Gerald, AJ, and Terry who grew up hunting and fishing these waters. They've got that perfect combination of encyclopedic knowledge about the ecosystem and genuine enthusiasm that makes learning about banana spiders and cypress trees genuinely fun. Reviewers consistently mention how personable and accommodating the guides are, including one sweet note about Gerald being patient when a three-year-old kept interrupting with questions. International visitors are having a blast too, with reviews in German and Spanish praising the wildlife sightings and overall experience. Speaking of wildlife, you're practically guaranteed to see alligators (lots of them, both on banks and swimming nearby), plus turtles, herons, egrets, and occasionally bald eagles or raccoon families. The tour runs about two hours on calm water, making it accessible even for first-time kayakers and young children. One reviewer mentioned their guide kept them out over three hours because he wanted to show them everything without rushing. The vibe is relaxed and flexible – you can paddle ahead on your own or stay close to hear the guide's stories about the bayou's history and legends. Just bring your own water and sunscreen, and maybe bug spray depending on conditions. The company also seems to handle hiccups well, with one reviewer praising Josh for going above and beyond when flooding forced a last-minute reschedule.
Had a great time. Gerald was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and also entertaining and personable. The swamp was beautiful. We saw lot of gators and birds. I mentioned taking my fishing kayak out there some time and Gerald gave me pointers on fishing spots and tips. Highly recommend
Jordan Vance
April 2, 2026
Had a great time. Gerald was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and also entertaining and personable. The swamp was beautiful. We saw lot of gators and birds. I mentioned taking my fishing kayak out there some time and Gerald gave me pointers on fishing spots and tips. Highly recommend
Jordan Vance
April 2, 2026