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. Whilst you’re there, you’ll want to take a look at a swamp tour in New Orleans.
For the reason that metropolis is positioned within the Mississippi Delta, it doesn’t take too lengthy to get to a swamp from NOLA. The truth is, 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 — perhaps you’ll even spot the elusive Honey Island Swamp Monster!
There are a number of completely different choices to select from for visiting a New Orleans swamp. On this information, we’ll take a more in-depth have a look at these swamp excursions and I’ll provide you with some suggestions for one of the best corporations to go along with. I completely liked my journey to New Orleans and I’m certain you’ll too!
Fast-Look: Finest New Orleans Swamp Excursions
Click on right here to leap to the 7 Finest New Orleans Swamp Excursions, or proceed studying under.
What to Anticipate on a New Orleans Swamp Tour
To begin with, let’s speak about the place a swamp tour in New Orleans sometimes goes, what you possibly can count on 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 Forms of Swamp Excursions are There?
The most well-liked swamp excursions in New Orleans are by boat.
There are massive pontoon swamp boats, that are in all probability the preferred alternative. Should you favor a bit extra pleasure, you possibly can go on an airboat as an alternative.
Or maybe you’d reasonably benefit from the swamp at a leisurely tempo and paddle your self round in a canoe or kayak (preserve your palms contained in the boat!).
Whichever kind 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 various kinds 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, akin to wild boars, egrets, herons, turtles, and alligators.
Through the fall and winter months, many cold-blooded animals hibernate. Should you’re actually hoping to see alligators in your swamp tour in New Orleans, it is best to attempt to go to town in spring or summer season.
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 sometimes happen in the course of the day and final round 2 hours. There are extra excursions at evening on weekends in the summertime months as nicely.
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 an extra charge.
What’s The Finest Time to Do a Swamp Tour?
You possibly can go to the swamp year-round. Nevertheless, one of the best time to do a swamp tour is within the fall when the climate is cooler, the foliage is gorgeous, there are fewer mosquitos, and many animals are round!
Through the summer season months, the climate is sizzling, humid, and sticky — plus, there are a lot of mosquitos. BUT, the entire wildlife will likely be out and also you’ll simply spot gators, birds, turtles, and snakes.
In springtime, the climate will likely be nice with plenty of flowers in bloom. Many of the wildlife will likely be out and there will likely be fewer mosquitos than in summer season.
You possibly can really be a part of a swamp tour in New Orleans within the winter months as nicely. Throughout this time, there will likely be rather a lot much less foliage and since alligators like the hotter climate, they are going to be more durable to identify.
Nevertheless, you’ll be capable to see deer, nutria, otters, minks, and birds. Be sure that 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
Should 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 happening.
You must all the time carry a poncho or raincoat, as there’s a superb probability you’ll get a bit of moist on the market.
On a sizzling and sunny day, you’ll positively wish to put on comfy garments like a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. Be sure that to drink loads of water.
Don’t neglect to pack some sunscreen, sun shades, and a hat as nicely. It’s not a nasty concept to pack a light-weight jacket, both, particularly in the event you’re happening an airboat tour.
Within the winter months, it is best to put on pants and convey a thicker jacket. Generally, it’s a good suggestion to put on gentle clothes and simply placed on a couple of layers if it’s a bit colder.
Whichever kind 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 in all probability wish to doc this superior expertise, however make certain your machine is protected. Which means taking some form of waterproof bag in your telephone or simply bringing a water-proof digital camera with you.
One factor it is best to positively depart behind is any costly jewellery. Should you drop it within the swamp there’s a superb probability that you just’re not going to seek out it.
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Learn how to See the Swamp (Forms of Excursions)
Now that you understand a bit about what to anticipate, let’s check out the completely different sorts of swamp excursions in New Orleans you could select from:
1. By Swamp Boat
Taking a swamp boat tour is a basic Louisiana expertise. That is a straightforward and reasonably priced possibility for a swamp tour in New Orleans. It’s potential 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 number of the businesses even have smaller boats that they use for personal swamp excursions, however these are clearly a bit costlier.
They transfer via 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
Should you’re in the hunt for a extra exhilarating journey, you possibly can 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 increased 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 sometimes 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 number of enjoyable, they’re not really useful for everybody. Pregnant ladies and really younger kids 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
An ideal possibility 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 sometimes 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 should be comparatively match and be able to stand 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 could be very peaceable and is a good way to have a extra private expertise. Typical costs are round $75 per individual. Discover out extra right here.
4. Going Mountain climbing
If in case you have your personal wheels, you possibly can all the time discover the swampland round New Orleans on foot. Simply head to the Barataria Protect that’s positioned within the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park and Protect.
There’s a Customer Heart on the protect the place you possibly can take a look at an exhibit concerning the swamp and decide up a map to go on a self-guided tour. You possibly can learn all concerning the completely different path choices on their web site.
Additionally they have free strolling excursions given by a ranger at 10 AM from Wednesday to Sunday. That is the proper possibility for these trying to slot in a swamp tour in New Orleans on a funds.
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5. Ziplining
A extra distinctive and exhilarating approach to discover the swamp is to be a 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 completely 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 akin to egrets and herons.
That is an adventurous approach to see the New Orleans swamp! Click on right here for extra particulars.
7 Finest Swamp Excursions in New Orleans
Right here’s a have a look at among the finest swamp tour corporations accessible in New Orleans, together with related info akin to tour instances and costs.
1. Excessive-Velocity Airboat Trip
- Firm: Louisiana Tour Firm
- Ranking: 4.8/5
- Price: Airboat Tour $65
- Tour instances: 9:40, 12:10, 2:10, & 4:15 (Seasonal)
- Learn 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. Should you’re seeking to go on a terrific swamp tour in New Orleans, they’ve received you lined with each swamp and airboat excursions. Louisiana Tour Firm additionally gives 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 positioned round an historic Native American burial mound. You’ll positively hear some attention-grabbing tales concerning the space in the event you 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
- Price: Airboat Tour and Oak Alley Plantation $150. Lodge pickup/drop off is included
- Tour instances: 8:15am
- Learn how to guide: On-line
- Assembly Level: 9706 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA. Get instructions.
Spend a full time out 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 instances of slavery. Wander across the residence and discover the massive grounds – residence to twenty-eight enormous oak timber (therefore the identify of the plantation). There’s additionally a blacksmith store and a restaurant onsite as nicely.
Within the swamplands, you’ll pace via the marshes on the airboat, however you’ll decelerate to you possibly can correctly spot wildlife and benefit from the pure great thing about the realm.
This mix 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 Satisfaction Swamp Excursions
- Ranking: 4.7/5
- Price: Swamp boat $27 for adults with pick-up service
- Tour instances: 9:30, 12:00, 2:15 year-round; 4:15 from March 1 to October 1
- Learn how to guide: On-line
- Assembly Place: 110 Frenier Rd, Laplace, LA 70068, USA. Get instructions.
Should you’d reasonably cruise down the swamp at a extra leisurely tempo (reasonably 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, make sure to join a swamp tour in New Orleans with Cajun Satisfaction! Their guides are knowledgable and humorous, which solely provides to the expertise.
One factor that units these guys aside from 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 flawed with this tour because it’s nice worth for cash! To study extra concerning the $27 tour with Cajan Satisfaction (and to guide tickets), click on right here.
4. Kayak Excursions of the Swamp
- Corporations: NOLA Kayak Swamp Excursions and Wild Louisiana Excursions
- Price: Round $75
You’ll should be considerably match for this sort of NOLA swamp tour, nevertheless it’s a number of enjoyable. Paddle your means via the swamp and stand up near the wildlife (preserve your palms contained in the boat!).
The two-3 hour leisurely paddle is a straightforward one that everybody can take pleasure in. With the slow-moving bayou, it’s a soothing kayak journey full of info, nature, and wildlife. No expertise is important.
This can be a distinctive approach to discover the swamp. Kayak excursions can be found round Manchac Swamp and Honey Island. Take a look on the excursions accessible with New Orleans Kayak Swamp Excursions and Wild Louisiana Excursions.
5. Honey Island Swamp Tour
- Firm: Honey Island Swamp Excursions
- Ranking: 5/5
- Price: $29, or $58 with pickup/drop off out of your lodge
- Tour instances: 9:00, 11:30 and a couple of:00pm
- Learn 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 via the wetlands of Honey Island Swamp. This protected nature reserve is positioned north of New Orleans on the shores of Lake Ponchartrain.
Through the 2-hour tour, you’ll encounter egrets, herons, otters, alligators and extra. You’ll cross 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. Should 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
- Price: Giant boat $59; Small boat $89. $30 further for round-trip transport
- Tour instances: 9:45, 12:00 and a couple of:00 (year-round), 4:00 & 6:00pm (seasonal)
- Learn 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.
With regards to airboat swamp excursions in New Orleans, Airboat Adventures is unquestionably among the finest decisions. They’re positioned simply minutes from the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park and Protect so that you may be out within the swamp in underneath an hour from town middle.
Their small boats maintain 6-8 passengers whereas the bigger ones can match 15-30. The additional value for a small boat tour is price it for a extra up shut and private expertise and the power to entry hard-to-reach areas within the swamp.
Earlier than you embark on their tour, you possibly can chill out of their good air-conditioned constructing that has a present store together with drinks and snacks for buy. Benefit from the views from their outside patio, and you’ll want to meet Sugar — their uncommon albino alligator! Click on right here to guide this airboat journey.
7. Go Ziplining By way of the Maurepas Swamp
- Firm: Zip NOLA
- Ranking: 4.9/5
- Price: $89
- Learn 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 completely different strains whereas dangling over the Maurepas swamp.
After getting conversant in your tools and a security briefing, you’ll begin the journey from a 60-foot excessive platform. Try the wonderful views of the swamp, Lake Ponchartrain, the city of Frenier and the New Orleans skyline.
You’ll have an opportunity to identify plenty of wildlife as nicely, 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 possibly can see, there are many implausible choices for taking a swamp tour in New Orleans. Whether or not you determine to paddle your self round in a kayak, hop on a swamp boat with a giant group, or zip via the bayou on an airboat, you’re certain to have a terrific expertise.
Should you’re heading to Crescent Metropolis, you’ll want to add a swamp tour to your record of issues to do! It’s enjoyable partying on Bourbon Road and all, nevertheless it’s even higher after a day of exploring the swamp and studying about all of the wonderful wildlife that calls it residence.
So, are New Orleans swamp excursions price it? Completely! The worth for cash is great and the expertise is one you gained’t neglect.
Some photographs on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
