Ultimate NOLA Airboat Adventure: Gator Encounters & Bayou Thrills
No address available
Take a break from the hustle-bustle of New Orleans and escape to nature on this exhilarating, family-friendly airboat ride! Spot alligators, snakes, turtles, egrets and herons as you take a fast, fun ride over a tidewater cypress swamp close to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Admire moss-covered cypress and tupelo-gum trees as you explore bayous teeming with life and take advantage of incredible photo ops. Th premium small-group tour is limited to 6 people, regular small airboat (up to 10 people) or large airboat (up to 30 people) to allow for better views of the wildlife. Please note: If you book the self-drive option you will not receive hotel pickup. If you book the option with pickup, pickups will begin 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to tour time. There are no rideshare or taxi services to this area. Gators are more commonly spotted in summer months.
Reviews
Reviews and Rating (Tripadvisor)
5 stars
2 stars
4 stars
Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
Kristin_S, 10/22/2025 7:05:27 PM
Amazing tour with Larry today! Lots of great gator close ups, especially with Leroy! Definitely recommend!
T_A, 10/22/2025 10:39:29 AM
We loved the trip and captain Larry...had a wonderful time!!! So Much Fun...I recommend this company.
698meganz, 10/21/2025 4:35:29 PM
I am going to be honest this was more up my boyfriend's alley and I did not think I was going to like it as much, but I ended up LOVING it. Though the weather was hot it ended up being partly cloudy which worked in our favor. You also got a great breeze when the boat was going. WE saw MANY gators and yes, they do come right up to the boat! Our tour guide was a lot of fun too adding to the experience. The ride itself was also really pretty with all the cypris trees and moss. If you do to New Orleans, I highly recommend doing one of these tours.
Kristina_H, 10/21/2025 4:14:23 PM
We had a great tour experience with Captain Corey! He was fun and full of information about the swamp and its inhabitants. Made sure we saw alligators in different ages and sizes. It really was amazing how he could call the alligators over to our boat for the marshmallows! Would highly recommend this tour!
Michelle_G, 10/21/2025 1:08:42 PM
10 out of 10!! blew my expectations and have recommended many times to friends. The trip was exciting and the staff and crew were wonderful
Daniel_M, 10/21/2025 10:58:21 AM
Fun two hour boat tour with easy pickup and drop off downtown. Group members enjoyed being able to buy and bring drinks onto the tour.
Kevin_K, 10/21/2025 10:39:41 AM
Do It!!! Steve was the best!!! Did the small boat sawLots of gators and birds even though it's getting cooler.
Patrice_C, 10/20/2025 10:38:34 PM
The boat we were on was slow, sounded like the motor was about the go out. It wasn't the experience that my friends bragged about. Plus, he didn't give anything but about 3 statements regarding history. I guess I could say it was an alright ride.
Catherine_S, 10/20/2025 9:32:16 PM
Awesome tour of the swamps! We got super lucky with a wild guide who got the gators to interact with us while we learned more about them. We saw nearly 10 gators! Super peaceful and fun! My only issue was the tour started 25 minutes late and was supposed to be 2 hours long but ended up being a little over an hour. I would’ve liked to have the longer tour but it was still a good time.
Michelle_V, 10/20/2025 5:11:42 PM
Had a totally awesome time. It was amazing. Our captain was very entertaining and funny, especially when he gave a wild gator a kiss and a spank.
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions (sunny or rainy); please dress appropriately
- Minimum age is 5 years
- Reservations booked separately will NOT be guaranteed to be on the same boat
- Taxi & Ride Share services not available in our area
- We offer a full refund in case of inclement weather that is unsafe to operate tours (lightening/ thunderstorms/ high wind). We still operate in the rain.
Departure point
Please turn right on Texas Street (the next right), not Fleming Park Rd to enter the facility.Return details
Take a break from the hustle-bustle of New Orleans and escape to nature on this exhilarating, family-friendly airboat ride! Spot alligators, snakes, turtles, egrets and herons as you take a fast, fun ride over a tidewater cypress swamp close to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Admire moss-covered cypress and tupelo-gum trees as you explore bayous teeming with life and take advantage of incredible photo ops. Th premium small-group tour is limited to 6 people, regular small airboat (up to 10 people) or large airboat (up to 30 people) to allow for better views of the wildlife. Please note: If you book the self-drive option you will not receive hotel pickup. If you book the option with pickup, pickups will begin 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to tour time. There are no rideshare or taxi services to this area. Gators are more commonly spotted in summer months.Redemption
Please note: PICKUPS START 1 HOUR AND 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE TOUR TIME YOU SELECTED. If you booked the self-drive option you will not receive hotel pick up. If you booked the hotel pick-up option and did not provide a hotel at checkout please immediately call Airboat Adventures at +1-504-689-2005 to provide your hotel information. If you selected the self-drive option and arrive early and don’t see the airboats, don’t worry – tours return about 15 minutes before your tour is scheduled to begin. You may wait in the air conditioned building or see some of the alligators living in the indoor habitat. Driving directions from New Orleans: Take US Business 90 West and cross the Mississippi River. Exit at 4B. Turn left at the 2nd traffic light onto Barataria Blvd (Hwy 45 South.) Travel 2.9 miles and turn left at the traffic light onto Leo Kerner Blvd (Hwy 3134 South. Travel 5.5 miles to a yellow caution light, continue straight past the light and cross over the bridge. Turn left at the stop sign onto Jean Lafitte Blvd and proceed 2.8 miles. Take a right on Fleming Park Road just past mile marker six. TAXI AND RIDESHARE SERVICES ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THIS AREA.24 hours before travel date - 100% refund
Less than 24 hours before travel date - 0% refund