Swamp tours are one of the unique things to do in New Orleans. If you live somewhere without swamps nearby swamps, you should consider taking a tour.
Most people know about typical swamp tours on boats, but not everyone knows about airboat tours. In this post, I explain the difference between the two.
I’ll also suggest three New Orleans airboat tour companies I think are good options for you and provide prices and tips to save money when possible.
If you are wondering how I know which companies to recommend? Two reasons.
First, I've been a NOLA local for more than 20 years and in that time I’ve gone on dozens of swamp tours with friends who visit me.
I always book a swamp tour for us to take together. Sometimes I take them on airboat tours and other times, we go on swamp boat tours. So I’m familiar with both.
Next, I’m a local tour guide and in my interactions with the thousands of tour guests I’ve met over the past decade, I’ve gotten their feedback about their airboat tours.
Below, I share recommendations based on real people’s experiences, including mine and my fellow local tour guides.
In this video, my fellow tour guide Andrew introduces you to swamp tours.
- Why Take a Swamp Tour?
- Swamp Boat vs. Airboat
- My Picks for the Top Three Tours
- Deals on Airboat Tours
- Plantation Tours
- Things to Do in New Orleans
Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.
WHY TAKE A SWAMP TOUR?
There isn’t any point in reading about airboat swamp tours if you don’t know if you want to take a swamp tour in the first place.
Here’s why I think swamp tours on any type of boat are special.
You’ll see wildlife up close in their natural habitat. It’s so much better than going to the zoo!
As you ride through the flora and fauna, with the beautiful moss-covered cypress trees, you'll see alligators, snakes, turtles, bald eagles, herons, egrets, and more.
SWAMP BOAT VS. AIRBOAT
Swamp boats travel slowly, gliding seamlessly on the water. But because they go slow, they cover less ground.
I don't think that this is a bad thing. You will still see lots of nature and animals and you are a bit more in sync with the environment.
Swamp boats have a larger capacity, so they are cheaper, but you’ll also be sharing the space with lots more people.
You are also higher up from the water. Learn more from my post on swamp boat tours here.
On the other hand, airboats can move quickly at speeds of up to 35 mph (56 kph) so you’ll cover more territory.
They can also slow down, so you'll have a bit of the experience of a swamp boat. Plus, they ride low and closer to the water.
I think the best part of airboat tours is the fun of whooshing through the swamp, similar to a speedboat ride -- but still a lot slower than a speedboat!
On hot days the water sprays on you, keeping you cool and you’ll enjoy a breeze as well.
Generally, airboats have a smaller capacity than swamp boats, so the tour is a bit more intimate, but this means the cost is higher.
There are larger airboats you can take which will save you some money, but the experience will be different.
I’ve heard from my friends and my tour guests that airboat tours are fantastic. But I’ve also heard that swamp boat tours are terrific too. I like both.
In the end, it comes down to what kind of experience you want to have.
At the 6-minute mark in the video at the top of the post, my fellow tour guide Andrew briefly talks about the difference between these two boats.
MY PICKS FOR THE TOP THREE TOURS
Before I give you my airboat tour recommendations, there are some things to know about any swamp airboat excursions.
Hotel Pick-up or Drive Yourself?
Since I have a car, I drive to the swamp to meet up with the tour company.
If you don't have a car, you can choose a tour that offers transportation from convenient pick-up spots throughout New Orleans.
Tours that include transportation cost a lot more, but it is still less than renting a car!
If you have a car, you can save a few bucks by driving to the swamp.
How Long are Airboat Tours?
Most tours are between 1 to 2 hours. That's just time on the boat. Add 60 to 90 minutes for round-trip travel from New Orleans.
Most operators that include transportation will quote an average length of about 3 ½ - 4 hours per trip.
I highly recommend you plan other activities for the day since your swamp tour excursion will take up about half your day.
See what other things you can do in New Orleans.
Small or Large Airboat?
Some large airboats can seat up to 27 people. That's about the same number of passengers on swamp boats.
As I mentioned above, the larger the boat, the less personalized the tour will be.
The upside is that you can save some money by taking a large airboat tour.
The first tour I recommend below maxes out at 16 passengers.
You'll have more interaction with your tour guide and the chance to ask questions.
As a tour guide myself, I know that the smaller the tour the better the experience.
How Much Does an Airboat Tour Cost?
Prices vary naturally, but if you drive yourself, you can expect to spend $55 - $75 per person -- depending on boat size.
If you choose a tour that provides transportation, the cost will be about $75 - $110 per person.
TIP: If you are planning on visiting a plantation, you can buy combo tickets that include an airboat tour and a plantation tour.
Combo tickets cost less than if you bought each activity individually.
Read the deals section for additional information.
Now, onto my tour company recommendations.
My TOP 3 AIRBOAT TOUR PICKS
As I said above, I came up with this list based on tours I have taken with several companies over the years.
I considered feedback from many of my tour guests, friends who have taken airboat tours with me and my fellow tour guides' opinions.
I think that between all of us, we came up with a great list for you to consider.
Note: Before booking, remember that children 5 and younger are not permitted on any airboat tours run by any company.
If you have young children, look into swamp boat tours as some allow young children.
Louisiana Tour Company
I’ve taken airboat tours with this company several times and I love their tours for a few reasons.
I’d say that having a great boat captain is what can make or break a tour. Louisiana Tour Company always delivers!
The guides are super friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about swamp life. You can ask questions and they always have informative answers.
On a tour I recently took with friends, our guide made sure to find a lot of wildlife instead of leaving it up to chance.
Large Airboats (up to 16 passengers)
Tour times: 8:00 am, 10:20 pm, 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm
- Arrive on your own - $65/Adults | $61/Children
- Hotel pick-up - $90/Adults | $86/Children
Both options offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Small Airboats (6-9 passengers)
Ticket Details:
- Tour times: 9:40 am, 12:10 pm, 2:10 pm, 4:15 pm
- Arrive on your own - $89 per person
- Hotel pick-up - $109 per person
- Both options offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
TIP: This company offers swamp boat tours as well. These tours are every bit as good as their airboat tours, though you won't get the thrill of speeding on the water.
Also, they sell combo packages that include an airboat tour and a plantation tour. Find out more from our deals section below.
Airboat Adventures
This company is also very good and offers the same benefits as Louisiana Tour Company like the 24-hour cancellation and the transportation option.
As for our guide, he was amazing and explained the ecosystem of the swamp as well as the ‘body language’ of the animals we saw -- and we saw a lot!
Their boats are a bit larger than the company above but this means the price is a few dollars less.
Also, there are fewer departure times.
One thing that this company has that the others don't is an outdoor patio and a bar to hang out before or after your tour.
After my tour with some friends, we got frozen drinks and snacks before starting our drive home (with a designated driver, of course).
Large Airboats (up to 27 passengers)
Tour times: 9:45 am, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm
- Arrive on your own - $59/Adults
- Hotel pick-up - $89/Adults
Both options offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Small Airboats (up to 8 passengers)
Tour times: 9:45 am, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm
- Arrive on your own - $89/Adults
- Hotel pick-up - $119/Adults
Tours By Isabelle
If you want a more intimate tour with fewer people, this company is for you.
They offer only small airboat tours with no more than 13 passengers.
I used this company when I was with my family and we were a group of 8 so this tour with fewer people meant we were able to interact with each other.
Our guide was quite the character and attentive to everyone on the boat.
We also made friends with the other passengers.
I really loved this tour as it was perfect for what we wanted out of the experience.
The downside is that this company’s tours include transportation, even if you don't need it. So the price is more expensive than the other tours I suggest in the post.
So if you have a car and want to save some money, then try one of the other companies.
If you do need transportation, this company will pick you up and any hotel, Bed & Breakfast or select AirBnBs in New Orleans.
Small Airboats (up to 13 passengers)
Ticket Details
- Ticket Price: $130 per person
- Availability: Daily at 9 am & 1 pm
- Duration: 3 ½ - 4 hours
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Tours By Isabelle also offers a combo tour that includes tickets to a nearby plantation. For additional details, make sure to read the deals section below.
DEALS ON AIRBOAT TOUR TICKETS
I am all about saving money, and I always let my tour guests know about deals on tickets and other ways to save on New Orleans attractions.
First, always check out Groupon as they often sell discounted tickets for airboat tours.
Next, the companies below offer combo packages that include an airboat tour and either a plantation tour or a city tour.
By buying a combo package rather than tickets for each activity individually, you can save a bit on costs.
Louisiana Tour Company
This company has two combo packages and both include transportation.
One with an airboat tour and an Oak Alley plantation tour.
The other has an airboat tour and an extensive bus tour of New Orleans including stops related to Hurricane Katrina.
Both have a free 24-hour cancellation policy.
Airboat Tour and Oak Alley Plantation Tour
- Price: $150/Adults | $126/Children
- Availability: Daily at 8:15 am and 10:45 am
- Duration: 8 ½ hours
- Includes transportation & admission to:
- Oak Alley Plantation
- Airboat Tour
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Airboat Tour & New Orleans City Tour
- Large Airboat: $140/Adults | $116/Children
- Small Airboat $165/Adults | $145
- Availability: Daily at 9:30 am
- Duration: 7 ½ hours
- Includes transportation and tickets for:
- New Orleans City Tour
- Airboat Tour
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Tours By Isabelle
Tours By Isabelle offers a small group airboat tour with a tour of the Destrehan Plantation.
You can read about this plantation here.
Airboat & Plantation Tour
- Price: $179 per person
- Availability: Most days at 8 am & 11 am
- Duration: 5 ½ hours
- Includes transportation and admission to:
- Destrehan Plantation
- Small Airboat Tour
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
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